Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, telecom giant Verizon Communications
With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Verizon's business and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.
Verizon facts
Headquarters (Founded) | New York (1983) |
Market Cap | $107.1 billion |
Industry | Integrated telecommunication services |
Trailing-12-Month Revenue | $110.9 billion |
Management | Chairman/CEO Lowell McAdam CFO Francis Shammo |
Return on Equity (Average, Past 3 Years) | 12.6% |
Cash/Debt | $14.0 billion / $55.2 billion |
Dividend Yield | 5.3% |
Competitors |
AT&T Sprint Nextel T-Mobile USA |
Sources: S&P Capital IQ and Motley Fool CAPS.
On CAPS, 94% of the 4,872 members who have rated Verizon believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward.
Late last year, one of those Fools, divinezone, tapped the stock as a solid income opportunity:
It would shock me if stock in Verizon -- which in my experience has proven itself to be the most reliable service provider -- did not beat the broader market over the course of the next few years. Its dividend alone, nearly 5.4% currently, looks more like the rate of a corporate bond than the dividend yield of a massive company with no particularly ominous dangers to scare away investors. ... Verizon is in good position to take advantage within the industry. In five years or so [Verizon] and AT&T could be the only major players in the telecommunications game. ... Sprint and AT&T will bleed customers to [Verizon] in these years to come, and will be unable to match Verizon's service consistency.
Of course, despite its five-star rating, Verizon may not be your top choice. If that's the case, we've compiled a special free report for investors called "Secure Your Future With 11 Rock-Solid Dividend Stocks," which uncovers several other juicy income opportunities. The report is 100% free, but it won't be around forever, so click here to access it now.
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