Verizon Communications Trades Ex-Dividend

Looking at the universe of stocks we cover at Dividend Channel, on 10/5/11, Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE: VZ) will trade ex-dividend, for its quarterly dividend of $0.50, payable on 11/1/11. As a percentage of VZ’s recent stock price of $36.68, this dividend works out to approximately 1.36%.

Below is a dividend history chart for VZ, showing historical dividends prior to the most recent $0.50 declared by Verizon Communications Inc:

In general, dividends are not always predictable; but looking at the history above can help in judging whether the most recent dividend from VZ is likely to continue, and whether the current estimated yield of 5.45% on annualized basis is a reasonable expectation of annual yield going forward.

According to the ETF Finder at ETF Channel, VZ makes up 29.32% of the Telecom HOLDRS ETF (AMEX: TTH) which is trading lower by about 1% on the day Monday.

See what other ETFs contain VZ »
See what other stocks are held by TTH »

VZ operates in the Communications Services sector, among companies like Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (NYSE: PHI) which is off about 0.7% today, and Telecomunicacoes de Sao Paulo S.A. – Telesp (NYSE: VIV) trading higher by about 0.1%. Below is a three month price history chart comparing the stock performance of VZ, versus PHI and VIV.

In Monday trading, Verizon Communications Inc shares are currently off about 0.3% on the day.

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