Verizon Stock Gains 1.06% on Institutional Backing Ranks 187th in $620M Turnover as Dividend Appeal Drives Confidence

Verizon Communications (VZ) rose 1.06% on August 13, trading at a 6.3% dividend yield and a 10x trailing P/E ratio. The stock ranked 187th in trading volume, with $0.62 billion in turnover. Institutional investors, including GQG Partners LLC and Vanguard Group, significantly increased their holdings in the first half of 2025, reflecting confidence in the telecom giant's stable dividend profile and earnings resilience.

Analysts upgraded the stock to "strong-buy" and "buy" ratings in July, citing Verizon's manageable payout ratio (63.17%) and consistent dividend history. Despite modest wireless revenue growth projections of 2-2.8%, adjusted earnings are expected to rise in the low single digits, supporting long-term payout sustainability. The company's recent quarterly dividend of $0.6775 per share underscores its commitment to shareholder returns.

Institutional ownership of Verizon now exceeds 62%, with top holders including Vanguard (1.18% stake) and Charles Schwab (1.1% increase). This institutional backing contrasts with broader market volatility, as Verizon's low beta of 0.36 highlights its defensive appeal. Analysts project 2025 earnings per share at $4.69, aligning with the stock's undervaluation relative to forward metrics.

The strategy of purchasing high-volume stocks and holding for one day from 2022 to 2025 yielded a total profit of $2,385.14, demonstrating moderate returns with minimal fluctuations over the period.