Verizon’s Bullish Earnings Boost: Subscriber Surge and $25B Buyback Reset the Telecom Trade

Verizon delivered a bullish telecom “reset” print: Q4 results beat expectations, subscriber growth hit a multi-year high, 2026 profit guidance came in above the Street, and management rolled out a major new share buyback plan. The stock reaction suggests investors are buying the message that Verizon can grow again without blowing up cash flow.

Key numbers and what they signal

* Earnings beat: adjusted EPS $1.09 on $36.4B revenue

* Subscriber momentum: 616,000 postpaid phone net adds (strongest quarterly growth in years) + solid broadband adds

* 2026 outlook: adjusted EPS guided to $4.90–$4.95

* Shareholder returns: up to $25B buybacks over 3 years (at least $3B planned for 2026)

* The tradeoff: strong ...