United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) Sets New 12-Month High – Here’s What Happened

Shares of United States Cellular Co. (NYSE:USM) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $68.31 and last traded at $67.84, with a volume of 12794 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $65.15.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

USM has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com cut shares of United States Cellular from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of United States Cellular from $75.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Finally, Raymond James upgraded shares of United States Cellular from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $86.00 price target for the company in a research report on Thursday.

United States Cellular Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.39. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $57.79 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $53.02. The company has a market capitalization of $5.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -177.69 and a beta of 0.47.

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 1st. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.26 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.13 by $0.13. United States Cellular had a negative net margin of 0.79% and a positive return on equity of 1.55%. The company had revenue of $922.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $940.40 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.26 earnings per share. United States Cellular’s revenue for the quarter was down 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that United States Cellular Co. will post 0.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United States Cellular

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of USM. Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in shares of United States Cellular by 8.3% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 190,665 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $6,959,000 after buying an additional 14,678 shares during the period. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. boosted its stake in United States Cellular by 22.0% during the first quarter. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. now owns 360,000 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $13,140,000 after acquiring an additional 65,000 shares in the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL boosted its stake in United States Cellular by 3.3% during the first quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 1,480,017 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $54,021,000 after acquiring an additional 47,267 shares in the last quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC boosted its stake in United States Cellular by 1.5% during the first quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 659,515 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $24,072,000 after acquiring an additional 9,815 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caxton Associates LP bought a new position in United States Cellular during the first quarter worth $264,000. 18.03% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United States Cellular Company Profile

United States Cellular Corporation provides wireless telecommunications services in the United States. The company offers wireless services, including voice, messaging, and data services. It also provides wireless devices, such as handsets, tablets, mobile hotspots, home phones, and routers, as well as wireless essentials, including cases, screen protectors, chargers, and memory cards; and consumer electronics comprising audio, home automation, and networking products.