Verizon Fans in the Dark on Fiber to Home

Verizon (VZ Quote) wants to ring a new bell.

With its directory business on the block, and the on-again-off-again sale of rural phone lines expected to return to the table after the MCI (MCIP Quote) merger, Verizon is moving ahead with its bold reinvention plans.

But the promise of shedding cash-generating, low-growth businesses to fund an ambitious fiber-optic expansion isn't exactly putting investors at ease.

Verizon shares fell 23 cents to $31.64 in midday trading, reversing earlier gains Monday on word that the company was exploring a directory carve-out. For the year, Verizon is down 22% as Wall Street worries about the cost of realizing the telco's triple play ambitions. ...