Is Verizon Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?

Is Verizon Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?

Aritra Gangopadhyay

Mon, August 31, 2026 at 4:13 PM GMT+3 2 min read

• VZ +0.56%
• ^GSPC -0.71%

New York-based Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) engages in the provision of communications, technology, information, and streaming products and services to consumers, businesses, and governmental entities worldwide. The company has a market cap of $208.2 billion and operates in two segments, Verizon Consumer Group (Consumer) and Verizon Business Group (Business).

Companies with a market cap of $200 billion or more are typically referred to as "mega-cap stocks." VZ fits perfectly into that category, with its market cap exceeding this threshold and reflecting its substantial size and influence in the telecom services industry.

More News from Barchart

Despite its strength, VZ stock slipped 3.5% from its 52-week high of $51.68, reached on Mar. 24. The stock is up 4.3% over the past three months, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 2% rise during the same time frame.

However, VZ has lagged behind the broader market over the longer term. The stock has grown 13.5% over the past 52 weeks, while SPX delivered 18.6% returns over the same time frame.

VZ has been trading above its 200-day and 50-day moving averages since late July, indicating short-term bullish momentum.

On July 24, VZ stock rose 5.8% following the release of its Q2 2026 earnings. The company's revenue for the quarter remained flat from its year-ago value and came in at $34.3 billion and missed the Street's estimates. Moreover, its adjusted EPS amounted to $1.30, topping Wall Street's estimates. Despite missing the revenue target, the company showcased solid operational performance, on account of improved customer additions and reduced churn, with a five-year high for its postpaid phone net additions.

When stacked against its peer, T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS), VZ has outperformed. Over the past year, TMUS stock has declined 27.9%.

Wall Street currently has a moderately bullish view of the stock. Among the 30 analysts tracking VZ, the overall consensus stands at a "Moderate Buy." Its mean price target of $51.57 offers a 2.9% upside potential from current prices.

On the date of publication, Aritra Gangopadhyay did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com