Verizon Communications (VZ) EVP Joseph Russo Buys $1.1K of Stock

Executive Team Shows United Front With Share Purchases

Joseph Russo, Executive Vice President and President of Global Networks and Technology at Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), bought 84 shares of company stock on June 17, 2026. The transaction was priced at $13.08 per share, bringing the total value of his purchase to $1,098.72.

This was not an isolated event. Russo's purchase coincided with a broader wave of buying from Verizon's top leadership. Six other executives purchased shares on the very same day at the exact same price. Corporate insiders buying their own stock often signals that those closest to the company's daily operations feel confident about its current direction and underlying value.

A Broad Wave of Insider Buying at Verizon

The coordinated insider buying on June 17, 2026, extended across the entire executive suite. Chief Executive Officer Daniel Schulman led the group by purchasing 203 shares for $2,655.24. Kyle Malady, Executive Vice President and Group CEO of Verizon Business, acquired 133 shares valued at $1,739.64.

On the legal and administrative side, EVP and Chief Legal Officer Vandana Venkatesh bought 98 shares for $1,281.84. Samantha Hammock, EVP and Chief HR Officer, added 76 shares to her holdings for a total of $994.08. EVP and International Group CEO Villanueva Rodriguez Alfonso acquired 80 shares for $1,046.40, and Mary-Lee Stillwell, SVP and Controller, picked up 45 shares valued at $588.60. None of these transactions were conducted under a pre-planned Rule 10b5-1 trading design, meaning the executives chose to buy directly in the open market.

Valuation and Stock Performance

On Thursday, Verizon shares traded at $45.37. The stock has been trading in a 52-week range of $38.39 to $51.68. It is currently positioned just below its 50-day moving average of $47.88 and its 200-day moving average of $46.60.

Verizon has a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.56, suggesting a modest valuation relative to its current profits. The company's forward P/E ratio, which looks at projected earnings, stands at 8.42.

Financial Health and Quarterly Results

In its recent financial reports, the telecom giant posted annual revenue of $138.90 billion, which represents a slight revenue decline of 0.7%. Even with flat top-line growth, Verizon maintained a net margin of 11.64% and a return on equity of 15.84%. Its profitable operations generated an earnings per share figure of $3.84.

Verizon's Dividend Profile

Verizon remains a popular choice for income-focused investors due to its consistent dividend payouts. The stock features a dividend yield of 6.37%. The telecom company distributes a significant portion of its earnings to shareholders, carrying a dividend payout ratio of 72.79%.

Wall Street Analyst Ratings

Several equity research firms have updated their views on Verizon. On October 9, 2026, Scotiabank maintained its Sector Outperform rating on the stock, though it lowered its price target to $50.00 from a previous target of $51.50. This followed a similar adjustment on October 2, 2026, when the firm trimmed its target from $52.50 to $51.50.

During the summer, TD Cowen maintained a Buy rating on July 27, 2026, and raised its price target to $56.00 from $54.00. On the same day, Morgan Stanley kept an Equal-Weight rating with a $52.00 target, while Wells Fargo maintained an Equal-Weight rating and raised its target to $47.00. RBC Capital maintained a Sector Perform rating with a $47.00 target. Currently, 22 analysts cover the stock, resulting in a consensus buy recommendation and a mean price target of $51.24.

About Verizon Communications Inc.

Verizon is a major telecommunications provider based in New York. The company delivers wireless services, fiber-optic internet, and corporate networking solutions to millions of consumer and business clients. These insider transactions show that the leadership team is highly aligned with the performance of these core business segments.

What's Ahead for Verizon Communications Inc.

Investors tracking Verizon will want to watch the company's next earnings report, which is scheduled for October 26, 2026. This release will provide fresh details on broadband growth and wireless subscriber numbers. While insider buying is often viewed as a positive sign, investors should remember that insider filings reflect past decisions and may not represent the current market outlook of those executives.