Verizon Q2 postpaid growth beats estimates, raises outlook

Verizon Communications reported stronger-than-expected subscriber growth for the second quarter of 2026, leading the telecommunications giant to raise its full-year financial outlook. The results, announced on July 24, 2026, indicate a significant turnaround in customer retention under CEO Dan Schulman, though they also revealed ongoing pressure on overall revenue and profit.

The company added 184,000 net postpaid phone subscribers during the quarter, a figure that far exceeded analyst estimates of approximately 106,000 and marked its best second-quarter performance in five years. This represents a sharp reversal from the same period last year, when Verizon was losing postpaid phone customers. Total mobility and broadband net additions reached 550,000, an increase of 230,000 year-over-year. The company also reported a reduction in consumer churn, a key metric measuring customer defections.

Despite the subscriber momentum, Verizon's total revenue declined 0.7% year-over-year to $34.3 billion, slightly missing consensus estimates. The company attributed the decline to a nearly 20% drop in equipment revenue, as customers hold onto devices longer and Verizon has reduced phone...