Faster networks pay off for investors

Article Excerpt

Since Verizon took its current form 20 years ago, it has aggressively transformed itself from a traditional phone company to one of the world’s largest providers of wireless and Internet services. That’s paid off for dividend investors, now enjoying a high and sustainable 4.0% yield. The company is rapidly expanding its ultrafast 5G wireless network to attract even more wireless users. That move will generate higher monthly fees for Verizon and boost its cash flow—and your dividends. VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC. $60 is a buy. The company (New York symbol VZ; Income-Growth Dividend Portfolio, Utilities sector, Shares outstanding: 4.1 billion; Market cap: $246.0 billion; Dividend yield: 4.2%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.verizon.com) has 94.1 million wireless users, 5.3 million phone customers and 20.0 million Internet and TV subscribers. Verizon has raised its dividend each year for the past 14 years. The latest increase came in November 2020 when the company raised your quarterly dividend by 2.0%, to $0.6275 from $0.6150. The new annual rate of $2.51 a share…