StockNews.com Upgrades United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) to “Hold”

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) was upgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued on Friday.

A number of other equities analysts also recently weighed in on USM. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of United States Cellular from $75.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Raymond James raised shares of United States Cellular from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $86.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 7th.

United States Cellular Stock Performance

Shares of USM opened at $65.18 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a current ratio of 1.57. The company has a market capitalization of $5.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -181.06 and a beta of 0.47. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $63.45 and its 200 day simple moving average is $60.14. United States Cellular has a 1 year low of $32.01 and a 1 year high of $69.20.

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 21st. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.10) by $0.15. The company had revenue of $970.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $964.70 million. United States Cellular had a negative net margin of 0.79% and a positive return on equity of 1.55%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.23 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that United States Cellular will post 0.57 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United States Cellular

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in United States Cellular by 16.5% during the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 41,969 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock valued at $2,632,000 after acquiring an additional 5,940 shares during the last quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC bought a new position in United States Cellular during the 4th quarter valued at $965,000. Two Sigma Advisers LP boosted its stake in United States Cellular by 16.7% during the 4th quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 6,300 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock valued at $395,000 after acquiring an additional 900 shares during the last quarter. State of Wyoming lifted its position in shares of United States Cellular by 17.6% in the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 4,551 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $285,000 after buying an additional 680 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Asset Management L.P. lifted its position in shares of United States Cellular by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 107,091 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $6,717,000 after buying an additional 5,605 shares during the last quarter. 18.03% of the stock is 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.