Verizon Communications Inc. shares rose over 3% on Monday after the company announced its first quarter financial results, which exceeded analyst expectations. The carrier added 55,000 net new mobile subscribers, marking its first positive growth in this area since 2013, and a year-over-year increase of 340,000 subscribers. This performance contrasts sharply with analyst forecasts of a loss of approximately 89,169 subscribers. As of 12:54 p.m. EDT, Verizon's stock was up 2.87%, trading at $47.72. The company has also increased its full-year earnings outlook, projecting adjusted earnings between $4.95 and $4.99 per share and anticipating annual phone subscriber growth to reach the upper limit of its estimate of 750,000 to 1 million. Despite slightly missing revenue projections, Verizon reported record adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $13.4 billion. CEO Dan Schulman emphasized a shift in strategy towards long-term customer retention, moving away from low-margin promotional activities. The company also reported 341,000 net new internet additions, aided by the acquisition of Frontier Communications.