Consider Verizon, If Dividends, Safety Mean As Much to You As Growth

Hence, the above should be enough to help Wall Street shed its "old economy" image of VZ. True, Verizon still boasts 6 million landline subscribers -- but it's also the largest wireless carrier in the U.S., with about 89 million wireless subscribers. The First Call FY2009/FY2010 EPS estimates for VZ are $2.45 to $2.49.

Technically, as noted Verizon's stock has meandered for one year. However, an incremental uptrend remains intact, and with psychological support at $30 and inverted head-and-shoulders support at/near $28, the technicals still indicate that VZ is a buy.

2010 Outlook: Verizon is a long-term play, but if you're looking to sell VZ within the year, take your profits after it rises to $37.

Stock Analysis: Verizon Communications is a low-risk stock. If you've already purchased the company's shares, hold them. If not, consider buying a 25% position in VZ now; then buy another 25% in one month, if U.S. economic conditions don't worsen substantially. Under any circumstance, don't buy more than 75% of your VZ position before March 2010. Sell/stop loss if you were to buy shares in this company: $18.

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Disclosure: Lazzaro has no positions in stocks, but does own shares in two Pimco Bond Funds: PHDAX and PYMAX.