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

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) was upgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a note issued to investors on Saturday.

Several other analysts have also weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on United States Cellular from $75.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, November 4th. Raymond James raised 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 note on Thursday, November 7th.

United States Cellular Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of USM opened at $60.87 on Friday. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $62.57 and its 200-day simple moving average is $58.15. United States Cellular has a 1 year low of $32.01 and a 1 year high of $68.31. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $5.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -169.08 and a beta of 0.48.

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On United States Cellular

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in USM. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company purchased a new stake in United States Cellular during the second quarter worth $218,000. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. bought a new position in shares of United States Cellular during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $234,000. Arizona State Retirement System purchased a new stake in United States Cellular during the second quarter valued at approximately $245,000. Ionic Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in United States Cellular in the third quarter worth $246,000. Finally, Quest Partners LLC increased its position in shares of United States Cellular by 231.1% during the third quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 4,675 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $255,000 after purchasing an additional 3,263 shares in the last quarter. 18.03% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.