verizon stock dividend guide
Verizon stock dividend
This article explains the verizon stock dividend for U.S. equity investors: what the dividend is, how often Verizon pays it, its role in the company's capital-allocation plan, how to find official declarations, and the metrics and risks dividend-focused investors typically consider. Readers will learn where to verify current declaration details and how dividend reinvestment (DRIP) and tax treatment commonly work. The word verizon stock dividend appears throughout to help you find the precise topic.
Overview
Verizon Communications Inc. is a major U.S. telecommunications company that operates wireless and wireline networks, provides broadband and enterprise services, and invests in network technologies such as 5G. Verizon issues a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock (ticker: VZ) as part of its shareholder-return policy. The verizon stock dividend is a regular means by which the company distributes a portion of free cash flow to shareholders; Verizon's Board of Directors determines the timing and amount of each cash dividend.
As of December 4, 2025, according to Verizon's official press release, the company declared a quarterly cash dividend that is part of Verizon's long-standing pattern of quarterly payments. Official investor-relations pages and press releases are the authoritative source for exact declaration, record, ex-dividend, and payment dates.
Dividend policy
Verizon's dividend policy is managed by its Board of Directors and reflects the company's capital-allocation priorities: reinvestment in network infrastructure (notably 5G and fiber buildouts), debt management, and returning cash to shareholders through dividends and potential share repurchases. Historically, Verizon has paid cash dividends quarterly and has signaled an intent to maintain and, when feasible, grow the dividend in line with cash flow and capital needs.
Factors the Board typically considers when declaring the verizon stock dividend include:
- Operating cash flow and free cash flow levels.
- Capital expenditure requirements to maintain and upgrade network assets.
- Leverage metrics and the company's ability to service debt.
- The broader macroeconomic environment and access to capital markets.
- Regulatory and tax considerations.
The Board declares dividends by approving a per-share amount and announcing ex-dividend, record, and payment dates. While Verizon has shown consistency in paying quarterly dividends, the Board retains discretion to change the amount or timing.
History of dividend payments
Verizon's dividend history reflects its corporate lineage (Bell Atlantic and other regional Bell companies) and decades of cash-return focus within the telecommunications sector. Over time, Verizon has generally been a reliable payer of quarterly dividends and has had periods of consecutive annual increases in the dividend per share.
Notable points in Verizon's dividend history include:
- The continuity of quarterly cash dividends across multiple decades following Bell Atlantic's and later Verizon's formation.
- Multi-year stretches of modest increases to the annual dividend, reflecting the company’s attempt to balance shareholder returns with network investment needs.
- Occasional pauses or more modest increases when the company prioritized large network investments or faced higher-than-expected capital requirements.
Investors can consult Verizon's dividend history for a full, quarter-by-quarter record of declaration, ex-dividend, record, and payment dates, along with per-share amounts.
Recent quarterly declarations
As of December 4, 2025, according to Verizon's press release, Verizon declared a quarterly dividend of $0.69 per share, payable on February 2, 2026. That declaration continued the company's practice of quarterly cash payments. Prior quarters showed similar per-share payments at $0.69 per quarter in the most recent sequence of declarations.
Recent declared amounts over the last several quarters have generally been consistent at $0.69 per share per quarter (annualized $2.76). The schedule for individual quarters is published by Verizon's Investor Relations team and supplemented by market-data providers.
Historical dividend table (summary)
Verizon maintains a comprehensive dividend history that lists, for each dividend, the declaration (announcement) date, ex-dividend date, record date, payment date, and the cash amount per share. This official table is the primary reference for anyone seeking exact historical payment records or verifying entitlements for specific trading dates.
Where to find the official table: consult Verizon’s Investor Relations dividend history resource and the company’s press releases describing quarterly declarations.
Dividend metrics and investor ratios
Dividend investors commonly use a set of metrics to evaluate the verizon stock dividend. These include:
- Trailing twelve-month (TTM) dividend: the sum of dividends paid in the prior 12 months. For a company paying $0.69 per quarter, the TTM dividend would be $2.76.
- Dividend yield: calculated as TTM dividend divided by the current share price. If the TTM dividend is $2.76 and the share price is $50, the yield is 5.52% (2.76 / 50).
- Payout ratio: the proportion of earnings or free cash flow used to fund dividends. Payout ratios can be calculated using net income (dividends/earnings) or free cash flow (dividends/free cash flow). Telecom companies like Verizon often have payout ratios that reflect the capital-intensive nature of the business and can vary year-to-year.
- Dividend growth rate: the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the dividend per share over a defined period (e.g., 5 or 10 years). Growth rates for mature telecoms tend to be modest compared with high-growth sectors.
As of January 20, 2026, according to market-data providers, the verizon stock dividend annualized amount stood at $2.76 (based on $0.69 per quarter). The dividend yield and payout ratio vary with the share price and reported earnings/free cash flow in the latest reported quarter. Investors should consult up-to-date market pages and Verizon’s most recent earnings release for current figures.
Commonly reported ranges and context (sourced from market-data providers):
- Typical dividend yield range: Telecom stocks like Verizon have historically offered yields in the mid-single to high-single percent range; yields can move materially with share price.
- Payout ratio: often moderate to high, given steady cash dividends versus cyclical earnings and sizable capital expenditures for network upgrades.
Dividend sustainability and outlook
Assessing the sustainability of the verizon stock dividend involves evaluating several business and financial factors:
- Free cash flow: the ability to sustain dividends depends on generating sufficient free cash flow after capital expenditures to cover operating needs and shareholder returns.
- Capital expenditure requirements: large ongoing investments in 5G buildouts, fiber expansion, and network modernization increase capex and can limit the cash available for dividends and buybacks.
- Leverage and balance sheet: debt levels and leverage ratios influence the Board’s comfort with maintaining or raising dividends. Strong balance-sheet metrics provide more flexibility.
- Management commentary and guidance: corporate statements in earnings calls and investor presentations provide qualitative and quantitative context regarding dividend priorities.
- Macro and industry dynamics: competitive pressures, regulatory developments, and changes in consumer demand can affect operating cash flow.
As of the dates cited in company filings and press releases, Verizon has emphasized disciplined capital allocation. Market commentary and analyst reports (as of early 2026) note that while the verizon stock dividend has been steady, dividend growth may be moderate as the company balances network capex with shareholder returns.
Any projection or outlook in this article is descriptive of publicly stated company priorities and third-party commentary; it should not be read as investment advice.
Taxation and shareholder treatment
U.S. and non-U.S. investors should understand common tax implications of receiving the verizon stock dividend:
- U.S. taxpayers: Cash dividends from U.S. corporations may qualify as "qualified dividends" for favorable long-term capital-gains tax rates if certain holding-period requirements are met. Otherwise, they are taxed at ordinary income rates. Each investor’s tax outcome depends on personal circumstances and applicable tax law.
- Non-U.S. investors: Cash dividends may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at statutory rates unless reduced by an applicable tax treaty; additional local tax obligations may apply.
Investors should consult a tax advisor for individualized advice on how dividend income is taxed in their jurisdiction and whether dividends received from Verizon qualify as "qualified" under U.S. tax rules.
Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) and receiving dividends
Many brokers and transfer agents offer dividend-reinvestment plans (DRIPs) that allow shareholders to automatically reinvest cash dividends in additional shares of the company. For the verizon stock dividend:
- Verizon's transfer agent administers shareholder accounts, and many retail brokerages provide automatic reinvestment options that enroll dividends into purchases of additional Verizon shares (including fractional shares in many broker platforms).
- To enroll, a shareholder typically signs into their brokerage account and opts into the broker’s DRIP for VZ, or contacts the transfer agent if holding shares in registered form.
- Reinvested dividends compound returns over time but have tax consequences: reinvested dividends are generally taxable in the year they are paid at the same rate as cash dividends, even if reinvested.
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Corporate disclosures and recordkeeping
Verizon formally publishes dividend declarations through:
- Company press releases announcing each dividend declaration, with declaration date, per-share amount, and the announced record, ex-dividend, and payment dates.
- A consolidated dividend history on Verizon’s Investor Relations site that lists all historical dividend events and per-share amounts.
- SEC filings and earnings releases that provide context on cash flow, capital allocation, and Board-approved dividends.
Understanding key dividend dates:
- Declaration (announcement) date: when the Board announces the dividend amount and the related dates.
- Ex-dividend date: the first date on which buying the stock does not entitle the buyer to the declared dividend (shares must be purchased prior to the ex-dividend date to receive the dividend).
- Record date: the date the company reviews its shareholder register to determine eligible recipients.
- Payment date: the date the dividend is actually paid to shareholders of record.
Shareholders should verify declarations and dates using Verizon’s Investor Relations sources and official press releases. Brokerage account statements and transfer-agent communications provide confirmation of dividend receipts for tax reporting.
Impact on shareholders and market
Dividends affect investors and the market in several ways:
- Income: Regular dividends provide predictable cash income for yield-seeking investors and those needing periodic distributions.
- Total return: Dividends contribute materially to long-term total return (price appreciation plus cash payouts) for many dividend-paying stocks.
- Share price around ex-dividend: The market typically adjusts the stock price downward by roughly the dividend amount on the ex-dividend date, all else equal, reflecting the transfer of value to shareholders who receive the payout.
- ETF and index inclusion: A stable, attractive verizon stock dividend can influence demand among income-focused mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that target high-yield or telecom sectors.
Traders and investors should account for the timing of dividend events in their strategies and tax planning. Dividend announcements and unexpected changes in dividend policy can also move the share price.
Comparison with peers and dividend ranking
Verizon is commonly compared with other large U.S. and international telecommunications providers when evaluating dividend yield, growth, and payout durability. Key comparison points include:
- Yield: Verizon’s yield can be higher than the broader market average due to the mature nature of the telecom industry.
- Growth: Dividend growth rates for telecoms are typically smaller than for rapidly expanding sectors, given substantial capex needs.
- Payout metrics: Comparing payout ratios on earnings and free cash flow bases helps investors assess which telecoms may have more sustainable dividends.
For peer comparisons and ranking, investors use data providers and broker research. Examples of commonly used sources for screening and peer comparison include mainstream market-data aggregators and analysis platforms.
Notable controversies or changes
Material events that historically affect a company’s dividend can include dividend cuts or suspensions, large special dividends, or corporate restructurings. Verizon’s dividend history has been characterized by consistency in quarterly payments; however, like any large-cap corporation, dividends have been influenced by strategic priorities such as major network investments, mergers, or shifts in capital-allocation policy.
Investors should monitor company disclosures and credible financial press coverage for any material developments. As of the dates cited in Verizon’s press materials and market-data reports in late 2025 and early 2026, no unprecedented dividend suspension had been announced; the company maintained its regular quarterly payout pattern.
See also
- Dividend yield
- Dividend policy
- New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listings
- Dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP)
- Major telecom peers and sector analysis
References
- Verizon press releases and investor relations materials (including the December 4, 2025 dividend declaration). Reported December 4, 2025, by Verizon’s Investor Relations.
- Verizon Investor Relations — Dividend history pages. Company-provided historical payment tables and dates.
- StockAnalysis — VZ dividend page and metrics (used for recent yield and dividend figures). As of January 20, 2026, according to StockAnalysis.
- DividendMax — VZ dividends summary and historical payments.
- MarketChameleon — VZ dividend information and ex-dividend date listings.
- Morningstar — Verizon dividend and payout metrics and company valuation context.
- MarketScreener — News items and data on Verizon dividend announcements.
- Robinhood profile pages for VZ (as a broker-market summary reference).
- The Motley Fool — coverage discussing Verizon as a dividend stock in broader context.
Note: Wherever dates and numeric values are cited in this article, readers should verify the numbers directly with the primary sources listed above as company-reported figures and market data are updated regularly.
External resources (where to verify official information)
- Verizon Investor Relations — dividend history and press releases (search on Verizon Investor Relations).
- SEC filings — Verizon's Form 10-Q and Form 10-K for cash-flow and dividend context.
- Major market-data aggregators and brokerage pages for current yield and price data.
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Important: This article is informational and not investment, tax, or legal advice. Consult professional advisors for personal guidance. Verify exact dividend amounts, ex-dividend dates, and tax implications using Verizon’s official investor-relations resources and current market-data providers.





















