Verizon Beats and Raises Guidance While Warning the FCC About SpaceX’s Phone Network
Verizon (VZ) reported Q3 adjusted EPS of $1.31, beating estimates, and raised full-year guidance for the third consecutive quarter. The company added 406,000 postpaid phones and 137,000 postpaid accounts, with record adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow. However, revenue of $34.31 billion missed estimates, and revenue per postpaid account fell 1.9%. Verizon, along with AT&T (T) and T-Mobile, lobbied the FCC against SpaceX's (SPCX) planned phone network, citing potential impacts on 5G bands.
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
Guidance raise is a primary catalyst; the stock may rebound from the 2% dip seen after the beat.
Market read
Verizon's earnings beat and guidance raise provide a fresh trading signal for the stock and may influence telecom sector sentiment.
What to watch
Potential slowdown in revenue per postpaid account and the FCC vote on satellite rules could introduce downside risk.
Background
Verizon beat Q3 EPS expectations, added postpaid phones, and raised 2026 EPS guidance while warning about SpaceX satellite competition.
Ticker impact
Verizon reported Q3 earnings beat and raised full-year 2026 EPS guidance to $5.04-$5.06, a fresh disclosure that moves the stock.
likely upward pressure as investors price in higher EPS guidance
Earnings beat and guidance lift are new information; market typically reacts positively to raised guidance for a large-cap telecom.
Market effects
May boost sentiment for the broader telecom sector as peers face similar regulatory risk from satellite-to-phone proposals.
U.S. large-cap indices could see modest upside from a major telecom beat.
Limited to U.S. markets; no immediate global ripple.
Counterpoint
The looming SpaceX satellite competition could still depress multiples despite the guidance lift.
Key entities
- companyVerizon Communications Inc.
U.S. telecom operator reporting earnings.
- companySpaceX
Satellite operator planning a phone network, cited as a competitive risk.



