Bill Gross, the billionaire founder of PIMCO, has steered clear of the AI names that have dominated recent market returns. He says the AI race feels like a single‑elimination game, so he’s staying away. Instead, Gross favors companies with long‑term resilience and a history of paying dividends.

Verizon (VZ), founded in 2000, is one of the world’s largest telecom operators. Its market cap sits at $211 billion, and the stock has climbed 22% YTD. The company offers a 5.5% dividend yield, far above the sector median of 1.55%, and has raised dividends for 21 consecutive years.

In the latest quarter, Verizon reported revenue of $36.4 billion, up 2% from a year earlier, while earnings dipped slightly to $1.09 per share from $1.10. Operating cash flow reached $37.1 billion, and the firm closed 2025 with a cash balance of about $19 billion.

Valuation metrics reinforce Verizon’s appeal: a forward P/E of 10.1 and a P/CF of 5.5, both below sector medians of 13.8 and 8.1 respectively. With a solid cash position and a track record of dividend growth, Verizon remains a compelling income play for investors seeking stability in a volatile market.