Strike to pressure Verizon earnings; first quarter net income meets estimates

Verizon Communications Inc said an ongoing strike by its wireline workers was expected to hurt earnings in the current quarter, even as it reported first-quarter net income that met analyst expectations amid strong tablet sales. Shares of Verizon, the No. 1 U.S. wireless carrier, were down 1.3 percent at $50.47 in late morning trading on Thursday. If the strike, now in its second week, continues for an extended period of time, it could pressure full-year earnings, Chief Financial Officer Fran Sh