10-QPeriod: Q1 FY2024

VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC Quarterly Report for Q1 Ended Mar 31, 2024

Filed April 25, 2024For Securities:VZ

Summary

Verizon Communications Inc. reported solid first-quarter 2024 results, with total operating revenues remaining stable year-over-year at $33.0 billion. The company demonstrated strong operational execution, particularly in its Consumer segment, which saw a revenue increase of 0.8% to $25.1 billion. This growth was driven by higher wireless service revenues, benefiting from pricing actions and an expanding FWA subscriber base. While the Business segment experienced a slight revenue decline of 1.6% to $7.4 billion, the overall stability in revenue and a focus on cost management underscore Verizon's resilience in a competitive market. Profitability metrics showed improvement, with net income attributable to Verizon reaching $4.6 billion, though slightly down from $4.9 billion in the prior year. Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) was $1.09, compared to $1.17 in the first quarter of 2023. Free cash flow generation was robust, increasing to $2.7 billion from $2.3 billion in the prior year, reflecting disciplined capital expenditures. The company's strategic focus on network modernization and customer retention continues to be a key theme, positioning Verizon for future growth.

Financial Highlights

47 data points
Beta

Revenue

$32.98B

Net Income

$4.60B

14.0% Net Margin

EPS (Diluted)

$1.09

Total Assets

$380.16B

Cash & Equivalents

$2.37B

Free Cash Flow

$7.08B

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$32.98B
SG&A Expenses$8.14B
Operating Expenses$25.46B
Operating Income$7.52B
Interest Expense$1.64B
Net Income$4.60B
EPS (Basic)$1.09
EPS (Diluted)$1.09
Shares Outstanding (Basic)4.21B
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)4.22B

Key Highlights

  • 1Total operating revenues were largely flat, increasing by 0.2% to $33.0 billion, indicating stable performance.
  • 2Consumer segment revenue grew by 0.8% to $25.1 billion, driven by increased wireless service revenue and FWA adoption.
  • 3Business segment revenue decreased by 1.6% to $7.4 billion, primarily due to declines in Enterprise and Public Sector.
  • 4Net income attributable to Verizon was $4.6 billion, with Diluted EPS of $1.09, compared to $4.9 billion and $1.17 respectively in the prior year.
  • 5Free cash flow significantly increased by 15.7% to $2.7 billion, reflecting effective capital expenditure management.
  • 6Capital expenditures decreased to $4.4 billion from $6.0 billion in the prior year, primarily due to the completion of accelerated C-Band deployment.
  • 7The company paid $2.8 billion in cash dividends, underscoring its commitment to returning capital to shareholders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verizon's total operating revenues remained stable, increasing by 0.2% to $33.0 billion in Q1 2024. The Consumer segment saw a revenue increase of 0.8% to $25.1 billion, primarily due to higher wireless service revenues and growth in Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) subscribers. The Business segment experienced a 1.6% revenue decrease to $7.4 billion, mainly driven by declines in Enterprise and Public Sector offerings.

Net income attributable to Verizon was $4.6 billion, a slight decrease from $4.9 billion in the same period last year. Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) was $1.09, down from $1.17 in Q1 2023. This was impacted by higher interest expenses and certain operational costs.

Capital expenditures for Q1 2024 were $4.4 billion, a decrease from $6.0 billion in the prior year, largely due to the nearing completion of the C-Band deployment. This reduction in capex, coupled with stable operating cash flow, led to a significant increase in free cash flow, which grew to $2.7 billion from $2.3 billion in Q1 2023. Management expects capital spending for the full year 2024 to be between $17.0 billion and $17.5 billion.

As of March 31, 2024, Verizon's total debt stood at $151.7 billion, with approximately 75% of its debt portfolio being fixed-rate, including the impact of interest rate swaps. The company actively manages its debt through various transactions, including tender offers and open market repurchases. Interest expense increased year-over-year, partly due to higher average interest rates and debt balances, but the company remains compliant with its debt covenants.