Verizon Reports Strong Q1 Results, First Positive Postpaid Phone Net Adds in a Decade, Raises 2026 EPS Guidance

summarizeSummary

Verizon reported robust Q1 2026 results, achieving its first positive Q1 postpaid phone net additions in over a decade and raising its full-year Adjusted EPS and postpaid phone net additions guidance.

check_boxKey Events

• Strong Q1 Financial Performance

  Verizon reported total operating revenue of $34.4 billion (up 2.9% year-over-year), consolidated net income of $5.1 billion (up 3.3%), and adjusted EPS of $1.28 (up 7.6%), marking its best quarterly growth rate since 2021.

• First Positive Q1 Postpaid Phone Net Additions Since 2013

  The company achieved 55,000 total postpaid phone net additions in Q1 2026, a year-over-year improvement of over 340,000, indicating a significant turnaround in customer acquisition.

• Raised 2026 Adjusted EPS and Postpaid Phone Net Additions Guidance

  Verizon raised its 2026 Adjusted EPS guidance to year-over-year growth of 5.0% to 6.0% and now expects total retail postpaid phone net additions to be in the upper half of its 750,000 to 1.0 million range.

• Solid Free Cash Flow and Share Repurchases

  Free cash flow for Q1 2026 was $3.8 billion (up 4.0% year-over-year). The company also completed $2.5 billion in share repurchases during the quarter, remaining on track for its full-year target of at least $3.0 billion.

auto_awesomeAnalysis

This 8-K details Verizon's strong first-quarter 2026 financial and operational performance, highlighted by the first positive first-quarter postpaid phone net additions since 2013. The company demonstrated solid growth across key metrics including revenue, net income, and adjusted EPS, and successfully executed $2.5 billion in share repurchases. The raised Adjusted EPS and postpaid phone net additions guidance for 2026 signals management's increased confidence in the ongoing strategic transformation and improved customer economics. Investors should view these results as a significant positive step in Verizon's turnaround efforts, especially given the context of recent acquisitions and debt management.