** Telecom giant Verizon VZ.N lost more wireless subscribers in Q1 than the Street expected

** Fifteen of 27 analysts covering the stock have "hold" rating, 11 "strong buy" or "buy" and one "sell", median PT at $47.25 - data compiled by LSEG

VERIZON OFF TO A CHALLENGING START

** J.P.Morgan ("neutral", PT: $47), raises Q2 consumer phone net losses to 80,000 from 70,000 as churn for postpaid subscribers to remain elevated

** Brokerage expects increased pace of fiber expansion and leverage used for Frontier's acquisition to pressure free cash flow and reduce potential share repurchases for several years

** Still, JPM prefers VZ over peers citing its "more balanced service revenue growth algorithm"

** Scotiabank ("sector perform", raises PT to $49 from $48.5, citing VZ's free cash flow FY forecast). Expects pricing strategy to spearhead growth for mobile service revenue growth

** "Investors will need a few quarters of steady improvement to be convinced that a true turnaround has been achieved," brokerage says

** Citigroup ("buy", cuts PT to $48 from $49) flags uncertain macro and more competitive wireless postpaid category

** Brokerage views telecom stocks as defensive with low risks from tariffs

** TD Cowen ("buy", PT:50), sees execution risk in company's consumer phone growth target as VZ is in a difficult position on its operating expenses

(Reporting by Johann M Cherian in Bengaluru)

((johann.mcherian@thomsonreuters.com))