Verizon Communications Inc. is a publicly traded telecommunications company headquartered in New York City, United States. It is best known for its wireless services, broadband internet, 5G network leadership, and enterprise communication solutions.
The company trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol VZ.
Verizon was formed in 2000 following the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE. Over the years, it has grown into one of the largest telecom companies in the world, serving hundreds of millions of wireless and broadband customers across the United States.
As of 2025, the company is led by Hans Vestberg, who serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a role he has held since 2018.
Ownership Status of Verizon
There is no single private owner of Verizon. Since Verizon is a publicly traded company, its ownership is distributed among institutional investors, mutual funds, pension funds, and individual shareholders.
Ownership percentages change over time based on stock market activity and regulatory disclosures such as SEC filings (13F, 13G, and 13D).
Major Shareholders
| Shareholder / Entity | Ownership Percentage (Approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The Vanguard Group | ~8% | Passive institutional investor via index and mutual funds |
| BlackRock | ~7% | Holds shares across multiple ETFs and funds |
| State Street Corporation | ~4% | Major custodian and ETF manager |
| Other institutional & retail investors | Remaining shares | Widely distributed ownership |
Note: Exact percentages vary slightly by quarter based on updated SEC filings.
Key Shareholder Highlights
Verizon’s shareholder base is dominated by large, long-term institutional investors rather than activist owners.
- The Vanguard Group primarily holds Verizon shares through passive index funds, reflecting long-term confidence in the U.S. telecom sector.
- BlackRock maintains its stake through a mix of ETFs and actively managed funds, making it one of Verizon’s most influential shareholders.
- Most major shareholders do not participate in day-to-day operations, which are managed by Verizon’s executive leadership and board of directors.
Recent Developments in Ownership
There have been no major ownership control changes at Verizon in recent years. Changes in shareholding typically result from:
- Quarterly fund rebalancing
- ETF inflows and outflows
- Broader market movements
Verizon continues to operate as a widely held public corporation with stable institutional ownership.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of Verizon?
Verizon does not have a single owner. It is publicly owned by thousands of shareholders, with major stakes held by institutional investors like Vanguard and BlackRock.
2. Is Verizon publicly traded or privately owned?
Verizon is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol VZ.
3. Who founded Verizon?
Verizon was formed in 2000 through the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE, rather than being founded by a single individual.
4. Has Verizon’s ownership changed recently?
Ownership changes slightly from quarter to quarter due to trading activity and institutional filings, but there have been no major control shifts.
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