Verizon's shares have dipped considerably recently— a bit more than a year ago, shares were at $53.66, but yesterday's closing price was $47.42. Verizon's recent unexpected move to buy AOL grabbed attention worldwide, but Wall Street was underwhelmed. Verizon's recent attempt to build the right suite of assets has yet to make Verizon's share values react positively.
I would not buy this stock, for its value has being going down recently. Although AT&T (T-NYSE)'s stock value is lower, its net margin and return on equity have consistently both been positives. If you're looking to invest in a telecommunications stock, AT&T is a smarter choice.