United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) Shares Gap Down – Should You Sell?

Shares of United States Cellular Co. (NYSE:USM) gapped down prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $61.70, but opened at $59.61. United States Cellular shares last traded at $60.96, with a volume of 31,332 shares.

United States Cellular Trading Down 6.0 %

The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $56.90 and a two-hundred day moving average of $51.83. The company has a market capitalization of $4.99 billion, a PE ratio of 70.74 and a beta of 0.48.

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 2nd. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.20 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.06. United States Cellular had a return on equity of 1.55% and a net margin of 1.88%. The company had revenue of $927.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $924.96 million. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.05 earnings per share. United States Cellular’s revenue was down 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that United States Cellular Co. will post 0.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other United States Cellular news, EVP Kevin R. Lowell sold 37,597 shares of United States Cellular stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.34, for a total value of $1,855,035.98. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United States Cellular

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of USM. Point72 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in United States Cellular during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $22,394,000. Jericho Capital Asset Management L.P. increased its holdings in shares of United States Cellular by 13.1% during the 1st quarter. Jericho Capital Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,592,792 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $58,137,000 after buying an additional 184,000 shares during the last quarter. TCW Group Inc. lifted its position in United States Cellular by 200.8% in the second quarter. TCW Group Inc. now owns 212,294 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock valued at $11,850,000 after buying an additional 141,713 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in shares of United States Cellular by 3.3% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,299,323 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $128,349,000 after buying an additional 72,843 shares during the period. Finally, Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. grew its stake in United States Cellular by 22.0% during the 1st quarter. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. now owns 360,000 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $13,140,000 after purchasing an additional 65,000 shares in the last quarter. 18.03% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About United States Cellular

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.