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

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

USM has been the subject of a number of research reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of United States Cellular from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday. 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 report on Thursday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on United States Cellular from $75.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday.

United States Cellular Stock Up 1.8 %

The firm has a market cap of $5.71 billion, a P/E ratio of -180.97 and a beta of 0.47. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $57.44 and its 200 day simple moving average is $52.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.39.

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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. The firm had revenue of $922.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $940.40 million. United States Cellular had a positive return on equity of 1.55% and a negative net margin of 0.79%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.26 earnings per share. Research analysts anticipate that United States Cellular Co. will post 0.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of United States Cellular

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new stake in United States Cellular in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Creative Planning increased its position in shares of United States Cellular by 12.4% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 7,238 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $396,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in United States Cellular by 8.7% in the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 12,475 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock valued at $696,000 after purchasing an additional 994 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC lifted its holdings in United States Cellular by 22.9% in the 3rd quarter. Innealta Capital LLC now owns 5,329 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock valued at $291,000 after purchasing an additional 994 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in United States Cellular during the 2nd quarter worth $115,000. 18.03% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other 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.