Back in September, shares were kicked around following a statement from the company’s chief executive that 2016 earnings “may plateau at 2015 levels.” The consensus estimate called for earnings per share growth of around 2.5%.
Chairman and CEO Lowell McAdam said that consumer demand is disrupting the company’s traditional business models and that Verizon’s goal is future growth “based on what customers want and need in the new digital world.” The company plans to manage for that future growth by managing near-term impacts.
McAdam had this to say:
These impacts include the commercial model change in wireless, year-over-year wireline financial comparisons following the expected first-half 2016 sale of operations to Frontier Communications Corp., and the ramp up of new business models for wireless video and [Internet of Things].
During this quarter the company announced a roadmap to its fifth generation (5G) wireless technology. These 5G field trials will not take place until 2016.
Verizon also launched its Go90 app during this quarter which allows users to stream TV shows and media through mobile devices. The free video service plans to drive revenue through advertising and data usage. Go90 launched with about 100 to 200 hours of exclusive video content from online networks like AwesomenessTV and Machinima, not to mention the NFL network among other popular cable channels.
A few analysts weighed in on Verizon ahead of its earnings:
- Canaccord Genuity reiterated a Buy rating with a $54 price target.
- Nomura initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and a $47 price target.
- RBC Capital reiterated a Buy rating.
So far in 2015, Verizon has remained relatively flat with the stock up only 0.2%. However, over the past 52-weeks the stock is down 1.7%.
Shares of Verizon were last trading at $44.55, with a consensus analyst price target of $50.58 and a 52-week trading range of $38.06 to $51.73.
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