JBizNews – Verizon Communications Inc. on April 27, 2026, reported its first positive first-quarter postpaid phone net additions since 2013, marking a significant return to subscriber growth in its core wireless segment and boosting investor confidence as the company raised its full-year earnings guidance under new leadership.
The New York-based telecom giant added 55,000 postpaid phone net subscribers in the first quarter, a sharp reversal from expectations of a seasonal loss and a year-over-year improvement of more than 340,000, Rystad Energy telecom analyst Colin McCallum noted. This milestone, achieved in the traditionally weakest quarter for the industry, underscores early traction from Verizon’s transformation initiatives focused on customer lifetime value, lower churn, and disciplined promotional spending, JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee highlighted.
Verizon posted total operating revenue of $34.4 billion, up 2.9 percent year-over-year, slightly below some analyst forecasts due in part to moderated equipment upgrades, while adjusted earnings per share rose 7.6 percent to $1.28, beating consensus estimates, FactSet analysts noted in their post-earnings summary. Adjusted EBITDA climbed 6.7 percent to $13.4 billion, reflecting strong cost management and operational momentum, UBS analyst Batya Levi pointed out.
Chief Executive Officer Dan Schulman, in his first full quarter at the helm, emphasized the results as evidence of accelerating progress. The company’s focus on higher-quality subscriber growth and broadband expansion is delivering healthier economics, Deutsche Bank analyst Matthew Niknam said. Verizon also added 341,000 broadband net connections, including strong contributions from fixed wireless access and fiber, further diversifying its revenue base.
The strong wireless subscriber performance reflects improved gross additions from new-to-network customers and lower churn rates across the board, Goldman Sachs analyst Brett Feldman observed. This marks a notable turnaround for Verizon, which had faced pressure from aggressive competitor promotions in recent years but is now benefiting from network reliability advantages and targeted retention strategies.
Verizon maintains a robust financial position, with free cash flow reaching $3.8 billion in the quarter and continued share repurchases totaling $2.5 billion year-to-date, Bank of America analysts confirmed. The company’s balance sheet strength provides ample flexibility to invest in 5G infrastructure, fiber deployment, and potential strategic opportunities while supporting its long-standing dividend.
Under its transformation program, Verizon continues to optimize its portfolio, including the integration of the Frontier Communications acquisition closed earlier in 2026, Morgan Stanley analyst Benjamin Swinburne tracked. Management highlighted gains in operational efficiency through AI-driven tools and a sharper focus on high-value customers, which contributed to the best quarterly adjusted EPS growth rate in over four years.
Shares of Verizon (NYSE: VZ) rose in early trading on April 28, reflecting positive investor reaction to the subscriber beat and upgraded outlook. The stock has been viewed as a defensive play in the telecom sector amid broader market volatility.
Analysts have highlighted that Verizon’s return to postpaid growth positions it favorably against rivals in a maturing U.S. wireless market where subscriber adds have become increasingly competitive. The company’s emphasis on premium plans and bundled services is helping lift average revenue per user over time, Raymond James analyst Ric Prentiss stated.
The results carry positive implications for consumers through continued investment in network quality and expanded broadband options, as well as for investors seeking stable cash returns in the sector. Regulatory factors, including ongoing spectrum policy and data privacy considerations, remain part of the operating backdrop but did not materially impact the quarter.
Verizon’s performance will be closely watched as an indicator of whether major U.S. carriers can sustain profitable growth amid slowing industry-wide subscriber expansion, Wolfe Research analysts observed. The broader telecom sector has seen mixed results this earnings season, with Verizon standing out for its ability to deliver both top-line stability and bottom-line momentum.
Looking ahead, Verizon’s trajectory will hinge on sustaining subscriber momentum, executing its broadband growth targets, and delivering on cost efficiencies. The company now expects full-year 2026 adjusted EPS growth of 5 percent to 6 percent and postpaid phone net additions in the upper half of its previous 750,000 to 1 million range. Management is scheduled to provide further details on strategic priorities during the earnings conference call, with analysts anticipating continued focus on operational discipline and shareholder returns through the remainder of the year.
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JBizNews Desk
April 28, 2026
