United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) Hits New 12-Month High – Still a Buy?

Shares of United States Cellular Co. (NYSE:USM) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $60.43 and last traded at $60.43, with a volume of 3522 shares. The stock had previously closed at $59.67.

United States Cellular Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a current ratio of 1.55. The stock has a market cap of $5.04 billion, a PE ratio of 72.83 and a beta of 0.48. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $55.16 and a 200 day moving average price of $50.07.

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 2nd. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.20 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $927.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $924.96 million. United States Cellular had a return on equity of 1.55% and a net margin of 1.88%. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 3.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.05 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that United States Cellular Co. will post 0.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at United States Cellular

In related news, EVP Kevin R. Lowell sold 37,597 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction 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 can be accessed through this hyperlink. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Summit Securities Group LLC purchased a new position in United States Cellular during the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Creative Planning lifted its stake in shares of United States Cellular by 12.4% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 7,238 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock valued at $396,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in United States Cellular by 8.7% during the second quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 12,475 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $696,000 after buying an additional 994 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in United States Cellular during the second quarter valued at $115,000. Finally, Bailard Inc. purchased a new position in United States Cellular in the second quarter valued at $207,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 18.03% of the company’s stock.

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.