Dow Today: Verizon Communications (VZ) Higher

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) is trading up one point at 13,955 as of Wednesday, Jan 30, 2013, 12:35 p.m. ET. During this time, 237.9 million shares of the 30 Dow components have changed hands vs. an average daily trading volume of 635.6 million. The NYSE advances/declines ratio sits at 1,120 issues advancing vs. 1,748 declining with 148 unchanged.

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The Dow component leading the way higher looks to be Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ), which is sporting a 28-cent gain (+0.7%) bringing the stock to $43.78. This single gain is lifting the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 2.12 points or roughly accounting for 212% of the Dow's overall gain. Volume for Verizon Communications currently sits at 7.9 million shares traded vs. an average daily trading volume of 13.6 million shares.

Verizon Communications has a market cap of $122.06 billion and is part of the technology sector and telecommunications industry. Shares are down 1.2% year to date as of Tuesday's close. The stock's dividend yield sits at 4.8%.

Verizon Communications Inc. provides communications, information, and entertainment products and services to consumers, businesses, and governmental agencies worldwide. The company has a P/E ratio of 138, above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7.

TheStreet Ratings rates Verizon Communications as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, expanding profit margins and increase in stock price during the past year. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including deteriorating net income, disappointing return on equity and weak operating cash flow.

• You can view the full Verizon Ratings Report.

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For more information on Verizon Communications Inc click any of the following:

• Verizon Communications Inc Stock Price

• Verizon Communications Inc Analyst Ratings

• Verizon Communications Inc Key Stats & Profile

• Verizon Communications Inc Earnings

• Verizon Communications Inc Ratio Comparison

• Verizon Communications Inc Growth Rates

• Verizon Communications Inc Balance Sheet

• Verizon Communications Inc Cash Flow

• Verizon Communications Inc Income Statement