Verizon Communications 4Q loss widens

Verizon Communications' fourth-quarter loss widened, dragged down by restructuring, pension and Superstorm Sandy costs. The company activated a record number of new devices on its contract-based plans during the period.

The parent of the country's biggest wireless carrier lost $4.23 billion, or $1.48 per share, for the period ended Dec. 31. That compares with a loss of $2.02 billion or 71 cents per share, a year ago.

Adjusted earnings were 38 cents per share.

Operating revenue rose 6 percent to $30.05 billion from $28.44 billion.

Analysts expected earnings of 50 cents per share on revenue of $29.82 billion.

Verizon Communications Inc. activated 2.1 million net new devices on contract-based plans, helped by the iPhone 5's launch and by data plans rolled out over the summer.

The company's stock fell 1 percent in premarket trading Tuesday.