Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster called Yahoo's (YHOO) Q3 earnings report a "non-event," saying that the biggest question for the company right now remains the impact of its data breach on its agreement with Verizon (VZ). Media reports suggesting Verizon could use the breach to break the deal are likely "posturing" and a public negotiating tactic to try to get a lower price, said Munster, who adds that downside seems "somewhat limited" given the deal size. Munster, who noted that every $1B adjustment to the deal would represent about $1 to the stock, keeps an Overweight rating on Yahoo shares, citing the upside potential presented by its stake in Alibaba (BABA).

Ribbon Communications (RRBN) announced plans for a major network modernization program with Verizon (VZ) to retire legacy TDM switching platforms and replace their function with modern cloud-based technologies. Verizon is leveraging Ribbon's portfolio of Voice Products including the vC20 Call Controller, G5 Line Access Gateway, G6 Universal Media Gateway, virtual and Cloud-native Session Border Controllers, and other products which allows for the consolidation and replacement of equipment with energy efficient, software-centric platforms while maintaining full feature functionality.

Wells Fargo lowered the firm's price target on Verizon to $40 from $44 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm sees encouraging signs in Q1 - improvement in sub trends and limited churn from price-ups - offset by some softness in the business segment and prepaid. Wells would get more constructive when there's visibility on a sustainable improvement in sub trends.