Major Averages Close Mixed Amid Escalating Geopolitical Tensions
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 27 2026
0mins
The major averages had a mixed close amid stalled peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran as well as new escalation in the Strait of Hormuz. Investors are also balancing continued strength in corporate earnings and AI-driven optimism with rising geopolitical tension and macro uncertainty.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Verizonprovided areport for Q1Domino's Pizzareportedand announced an additional $1B share repurchase programShellARC Resourcesfor C$32.80 per shareSun PharmaOrganonfor $14 per share in an all-cash transactionChina has blocked Meta's2. WALL STREET CALLS:Snapto Buy at Rothschild & Co RedburnRothschildPinterestto Neutral from BuyMizuhoAdobeon intensifying competition from AIMizuhoCrowdStrike, citing "numerous exciting growth avenues"Campbell'sto Market Perform at Bernstein3. AROUND THE WEB:Rogers Communicationsis offering voluntary buyouts to half of its staff, Globe and Mail reportsGoogleemployees are urging CEO Sundar Pichai to block military AI use, FT reportsSamsungplans to withdraw from China's home appliance and television market this year, Nikkei Asia reportsBig tech companies are preparing to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on AI infrastructure, with most of their plans dependent on ASML, WSJ saysBayeris hoping the U.S. Supreme Court can reduce or simplify the lawsuits over its Roundup weedkiller and potentially corral litigation that has cost the company over $10B, Bloomberg says4. MOVERS:Veradermicsgained after announcing its Phase 2/3 trial of VDPHL01RE/MAX Holdingsincreased after announcing it will befor $13.80 per shareFlowserve (FLS) rose afterthat Starboard has built a stake in the company and is pushing for changesCompass Therapeuticswas lower afterfrom its COMPANION-002 studyPoet Technologiesfell afterof Celestial AI purchase orders5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Lakeland Financial, with CEO David Findlay commenting, "We started 2026 with robust, record net income for the second consecutive quarter"HBT Financial, with EPS and revenue beating consensusRepay Holdingsreportedand reaffirmed its guidance for FY26WWreaffirmed itsand FY26 financial guidanceGold RoyaltyreportedINDEXES:The Dow fell 62.92, or 0.13%, to 49,167.79, the Nasdaq gained 50.50, or 0.20%, to 24,887.10, and the S&P 500 advanced 8.83, or 0.12%, to 7,173.91.
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Analyst Views on VZ
Wall Street analysts forecast VZ stock price to rise
14 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
10 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 42.560
Low
43.00
Averages
46.42
High
51.00
Current: 42.560
Low
43.00
Averages
46.42
High
51.00
About VZ
Verizon Communications Inc. is a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides communications, technology, information and streaming products and services to consumers, businesses and government entities. Its Consumer segment provides wireless and wireline communications services. It also provides fixed wireless access (FWA) broadband through its 5G or 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks portfolio. The Company's Business segment provides wireless and wireline communications services and products, including FWA broadband, data, video and advanced communication services, corporate networking solutions, security and managed network services, local and long-distance voice services and network access to deliver various Internet of Things (IoT) services and products. It provides these products and services to businesses, public sector customers and wireless and wireline carriers across the U.S. and a subset of these products and services to customers around the world.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
iShares Core High Dividend ETF Outperforms S&P 500
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- Quality Stock Selection: This ETF tracks an index of high-yield U.S. dividend stocks, currently holding 75 stocks with an annual dividend yield of 2.9%, nearly three times that of the S&P 500, indicating its strong competitive edge in dividend investing.
- Sector Drivers: The fund's high exposure to energy stocks, particularly ExxonMobil and Chevron, which are up 14% and 11% respectively, has significantly boosted its performance, while strong gains from healthcare stocks like AbbVie and Merck have also contributed to its growth.
- Growth Potential: Since its inception in 2011, the iShares Core High Dividend ETF has delivered over 10% annualized returns, and with its focus on high-quality dividend stocks, it is expected to continue providing stable income and growth opportunities for investors.
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- Healthcare Stock Contribution: The ETF has also gained from its significant allocation to healthcare stocks, notably AbbVie and Merck, with AbbVie shares up over 14% and Merck up over 23%, indicating that high-quality dividend stocks can deliver substantial total returns.
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- Strong Long-Term Performance: Since its inception in 2011, the ETF has delivered over 10% annualized returns over the past one, three, and five years, indicating success in its investment strategy focused on high-quality dividend stocks, and it is expected to continue providing strong returns in the future.
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- Urban Market Advantage: T-Mobile holds a 50% household share in major urban areas like New York and Los Angeles, compared to just 24% in rural regions, providing a significant geographic advantage against satellite competition and reducing near-term threats.
- Satellite Competitive Pressure: While SpaceX's deployment of V3 satellites poses long-term pressure on the telecom sector, analysts argue that the immediate competitive threats are overstated, especially in urban markets where satellite direct-to-device capabilities face severe physical constraints.
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- Dividend Growth and Market Performance: EPD has averaged 3% to 4% annual distribution growth over the past decade, and despite market fluctuations, management remains focused on driving growth through investments in new projects and acquisitions of existing infrastructure, securing future share price appreciation potential.
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- Payout Ratio Analysis: Pfizer's payout ratio of 56.2% is the lowest, indicating its ability to maintain high dividends while retaining sufficient funds for growth investments, making it more sustainable compared to Verizon's 57.6% and General Mills' 68.7%.
- Dividend Growth History: Verizon has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years, demonstrating strong financial strength and long-term commitment, while Pfizer has maintained growth for 15 years, providing investor confidence in their dividend stability.
- Investment Return Performance: Despite General Mills' 20% decline year-to-date, Verizon has achieved a 4% annualized return over the past three years, and analysts generally favor its future prospects, with 41% rating it a buy and a target price of $50.50, indicating a 22% upside.
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- Earnings Growth Outlook: Analysts project Verizon's earnings per share to rise by 5% to $4.95 in 2026 and nearly 6.5% to $5.27 in 2027; while these growth rates may seem modest, consistent profit growth could lead to stock price increases, enhancing investment appeal.
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- Market Outperformance: The iShares Core High Dividend ETF has risen over 15% this year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 9% increase, highlighting its investment advantage in high-yield stocks and attracting more income-seeking investors.
- Quality Stock Selection: This ETF tracks an index of high-yield U.S. dividend stocks, currently holding 75 stocks with an annual dividend yield of 2.9%, nearly three times that of the S&P 500, indicating its strong competitive edge in dividend investing.
- Sector Drivers: The fund's high exposure to energy stocks, particularly ExxonMobil and Chevron, which are up 14% and 11% respectively, has significantly boosted its performance, while strong gains from healthcare stocks like AbbVie and Merck have also contributed to its growth.
- Growth Potential: Since its inception in 2011, the iShares Core High Dividend ETF has delivered over 10% annualized returns, and with its focus on high-quality dividend stocks, it is expected to continue providing stable income and growth opportunities for investors.
See More
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- High-Yield Stock Advantage: The iShares Core High Dividend ETF has surged over 15% this year, primarily benefiting from its higher exposure to high-yield energy stocks, particularly ExxonMobil and Chevron, which have risen 14% and 11% respectively, thus driving the fund's overall performance.
- Healthcare Stock Contribution: The ETF has also gained from its significant allocation to healthcare stocks, notably AbbVie and Merck, with AbbVie shares up over 14% and Merck up over 23%, indicating that high-quality dividend stocks can deliver substantial total returns.
- Dividend Yield Comparison: The iShares Core High Dividend ETF currently boasts a dividend yield of 2.9%, nearly three times the S&P 500's yield of 1.1%, highlighting its advantage in providing stable cash flow, which attracts income-seeking investors.
- Strong Long-Term Performance: Since its inception in 2011, the ETF has delivered over 10% annualized returns over the past one, three, and five years, indicating success in its investment strategy focused on high-quality dividend stocks, and it is expected to continue providing strong returns in the future.
See More
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- Market Overreaction: Wall Street analysts believe the recent sell-off in U.S. telecom stocks is excessive, with expectations for a relief rally driven by strong upcoming earnings reports, particularly as BofA upgraded T-Mobile to a 'Buy' rating with a $220 price target.
- Urban Market Advantage: T-Mobile holds a 50% household share in major urban areas like New York and Los Angeles, compared to just 24% in rural regions, providing a significant geographic advantage against satellite competition and reducing near-term threats.
- Satellite Competitive Pressure: While SpaceX's deployment of V3 satellites poses long-term pressure on the telecom sector, analysts argue that the immediate competitive threats are overstated, especially in urban markets where satellite direct-to-device capabilities face severe physical constraints.
- Retail Sentiment Optimistic: Retail sentiment on Stocktwits for TMUS, T, and VZ stocks was 'bullish', with message volumes soaring between 100% and 300% compared to the previous session, indicating strong investor interest in fiber optics over satellite connectivity.
See More
Analysis of High-Yield Stock Investment Potential
- Stability of Enterprise Products Partners: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD), one of the largest midstream energy companies in the U.S., boasts a 29-year streak of consecutive dividend growth, with a current forward dividend yield of approximately 6%, ensuring sustainable cash flow and distribution payments through steady infrastructure usage fees.
- Dividend Growth and Market Performance: EPD has averaged 3% to 4% annual distribution growth over the past decade, and despite market fluctuations, management remains focused on driving growth through investments in new projects and acquisitions of existing infrastructure, securing future share price appreciation potential.
- Verizon's Transformation Potential: Verizon (VZ) has achieved 22 years of consecutive dividend growth, with a current yield of about 6.75%; despite challenges from its removal from the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the company is successfully cutting costs and attracting new customers, with EPS expected to rise 5% in 2026.
- Earnings Growth Outlook: Analysts project Verizon's EPS to reach $5.27 in 2027; while mid-single-digit growth may seem modest, if the company can maintain steady profit growth, the stock could rise in line with earnings growth, potentially achieving a higher forward multiple.
See More
High Dividend Stock Analysis: Verizon Leads
- High Dividend Overview: Among the S&P 500, Verizon, General Mills, Pfizer, and Kraft Heinz all boast dividend yields exceeding 6%, with Pfizer leading at 7.20%, highlighting its attractiveness and potential investment value.
- Payout Ratio Analysis: Pfizer's payout ratio of 56.2% is the lowest, indicating its ability to maintain high dividends while retaining sufficient funds for growth investments, making it more sustainable compared to Verizon's 57.6% and General Mills' 68.7%.
- Dividend Growth History: Verizon has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years, demonstrating strong financial strength and long-term commitment, while Pfizer has maintained growth for 15 years, providing investor confidence in their dividend stability.
- Investment Return Performance: Despite General Mills' 20% decline year-to-date, Verizon has achieved a 4% annualized return over the past three years, and analysts generally favor its future prospects, with 41% rating it a buy and a target price of $50.50, indicating a 22% upside.
See More
Analysis of High-Yield Stock Investment Strategies
- Stable Returns from EPD: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) has raised dividends for 29 consecutive years, currently offering a forward yield of approximately 6%, ensuring long-term returns for investors through steady cash flow and fixed fee income, showcasing its strong competitive position in the midstream energy market.
- Transformation Potential in Telecom: Despite Verizon's recent stock decline due to its removal from the Dow Jones Industrial Average, its 22 years of consecutive dividend growth and a high yield of about 6.75% indicate potential for stock recovery as cost-cutting and customer acquisition strategies succeed.
- Earnings Growth Outlook: Analysts project Verizon's earnings per share to rise by 5% to $4.95 in 2026 and nearly 6.5% to $5.27 in 2027; while these growth rates may seem modest, consistent profit growth could lead to stock price increases, enhancing investment appeal.
- Market Competition and Investment Risks: While Enterprise Products Partners excels in the midstream market, investors should be aware of the tax implications of its MLP structure, and Verizon faces competitive pressures from satellite telecom services, necessitating careful evaluation of its long-term investment value.
See More
