Verizon pulls 2020 revenue view as lockdowns result in wireless subscriber loss

• Analysts expected Verizon to gain just 100 subscribers in the quarter ended March 31, according to research firm FactSet.
• Verizon's earned $1.26 per share, above analysts' average estimate of $1.22, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

Verizon Communications Inc withdrew its full-year revenue outlook on Friday as it lost 68,000 phone subscribers who pay a monthly bill in the first quarter amid lockdowns that closed 70pc of its stores.

It led to a significant drop in customer activity and device volumes in the quarter, the telecom operator said.

Analysts expected Verizon to gain just 100 subscribers in the quarter ended March 31, according to research firm FactSet.

The company also cut its full-year adjusted earnings per share outlook to between a growth of 2pc and a fall of 2pc. It had earlier expected a growth of 2pc to 4pc.

In the first quarter, Verizon's earned $1.26 per share, above analysts' average estimate of $1.22, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

The company, which plans to stay committed in investing in 5G network, said the virus reduced its earnings by 4 cents per share in the first quarter.

Total operating revenue for the wireless carrier fell 1.6pc to $31.6 billion from a year earlier.

Analysts had expected revenue of $32.27 billion.