Summary
Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) in its 2014 10-K filing, reported by February 2015, showcased a robust operational year, largely driven by its dominant Wireless segment. A pivotal event for the company was the acquisition of the remaining 45% stake in Verizon Wireless, granting it 100% ownership and solidifying its market leadership in the U.S. wireless sector. This strategic move, completed in early 2014, positioned Verizon to fully capitalize on its extensive 4G LTE network, which covered over 98% of the U.S. population. The Wireline segment continued to be a significant contributor, albeit with a focus on strategic shifts. The company announced plans to divest its local exchange business and related landline activities in California, Florida, and Texas to Frontier Communications, a move aimed at streamlining operations and focusing on core growth areas. Verizon also highlighted its strategic initiatives in areas like Interactive Entertainment, the Internet of Things (IoT), Digital Media, and Cloud Services, signaling a forward-looking approach to diversifying its revenue streams and leveraging its network infrastructure for future growth.
Financial Highlights
54 data points| Revenue | $127.08B |
| Cost of Revenue | $49.93B |
| Gross Profit | $77.15B |
| SG&A Expenses | $41.02B |
| Operating Expenses | $107.48B |
| Operating Income | $19.60B |
| Interest Expense | $4.92B |
| Net Income | $9.63B |
| EPS (Basic) | $2.42 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $2.42 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 3.97B |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 3.98B |
Key Highlights
- 1Completed 100% acquisition of Verizon Wireless in February 2014 for approximately $130 billion, consolidating its position as the largest U.S. wireless provider.
- 2Reported strong performance in the Wireless segment, which accounted for approximately 69% of total revenues in 2014, driven by 108.2 million retail connections.
- 3Announced the strategic sale of its local exchange and landline business in California, Florida, and Texas to Frontier Communications for approximately $10.5 billion.
- 4Continued expansion and enhancement of its 4G LTE network, including the deployment of XLTE technology in over 400 markets to increase capacity.
- 5Launched Voice over LTE (VoLTE) service, named Advanced Calling 1.0, signaling a move towards next-generation voice communication.
- 6Initiated a significant agreement with American Tower to lease and operate over 11,300 wireless towers for $5.0 billion, optimizing tower asset management.
- 7Actively participated in spectrum auctions, including being the high bidder on 181 licenses for approximately $10.4 billion in early 2015, to secure future capacity.