Evaluating Verizon Communications Against Peers In Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

In today's rapidly changing and fiercely competitive business landscape, it is vital for investors and industry enthusiasts to carefully evaluate companies. In this article, we will perform a comprehensive industry comparison, evaluating Verizon Communications VZ against its key competitors in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. By analyzing important financial metrics, market position, and growth prospects, we aim to provide valuable insights for investors and shed light on company's performance within the industry.

Verizon Communications Background

Wireless services account for about 70% of Verizon Communications' total service revenue and nearly all of its operating income. The firm serves about 93 million postpaid and 21 million prepaid phone customers (following the acquisition of Tracfone) via its nationwide network, making it the largest US wireless carrier. Fixed-line telecom operations include local networks in the Northeast, which reach about 29 million homes and businesses and serve about 8 million broadband customers. Verizon also provides telecom services nationwide to enterprise customers, often using a mixture of its own and other carriers' networks.

By carefully studying Verizon Communications, we can deduce the following trends:

• At 16.06, the stock's Price to Earnings ratio significantly exceeds the industry average by 1.0x, suggesting a premium valuation relative to industry peers.

• Considering a Price to Book ratio of 1.87, which is well below the industry average by 0.99x, the stock may be undervalued based on its book value compared to its peers.

• Based on its sales performance, the stock could be deemed undervalued with a Price to Sales ratio of 1.34, which is 0.77x the industry average.

• The company has a higher Return on Equity (ROE) of 4.82%, which is 2.23% above the industry average. This suggests efficient use of equity to generate profits and demonstrates profitability and growth potential.

• The Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $12.21 Billion is 0.0x below the industry average, suggesting potential lower profitability or financial challenges.

• The gross profit of $20.32 Billion is 0.0x below that of its industry, suggesting potential lower revenue after accounting for production costs.

• The company's revenue growth of 0.61% exceeds the industry average of 0.17%, indicating strong sales performance and market outperformance.

Debt To Equity Ratio

The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio is a key indicator of a company's financial health and its reliance on debt financing.

Considering the debt-to-equity ratio in industry comparisons allows for a concise evaluation of a company's financial health and risk profile, aiding in informed decision-making.

When assessing Verizon Communications against its top 4 peers using the Debt-to-Equity ratio, the following comparisons can be made:

• Among its top 4 peers, Verizon Communications has a higher debt-to-equity ratio of 1.8.

• This implies a greater reliance on debt financing, which can expose the company to higher financial risk and potential challenges.

Key Takeaways

For Verizon Communications, the PE ratio is high compared to peers, indicating potential overvaluation. The PB and PS ratios are low, suggesting undervaluation relative to industry competitors. In terms of ROE, Verizon shows strong performance, while EBITDA and gross profit margins are lower than industry averages. However, Verizon's revenue growth rate is higher than its peers, indicating potential for future growth in the Diversified Telecommunication Services sector.

This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.