Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. Grows Stock Holdings in United States Cellular Co. (NYSE:USM)

Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of United States Cellular Co. (NYSE:USM - Free Report) by 20.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 172,948 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock after purchasing an additional 29,927 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned about 0.20% of United States Cellular worth $10,847,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in United States Cellular in the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in United States Cellular by 1,917.3% in the fourth quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,219 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $139,000 after acquiring an additional 2,109 shares during the last quarter. Invesco LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United States Cellular in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $219,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its holdings in shares of United States Cellular by 6.3% in the 3rd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 4,148 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $227,000 after purchasing an additional 245 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ionic Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United States Cellular during the 3rd quarter worth $246,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 18.03% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently commented on USM shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on United States Cellular from $86.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 24th. StockNews.com raised United States Cellular from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st.

United States Cellular Stock Performance

Shares of USM stock traded down $0.12 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $69.12. 131,391 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 198,732. United States Cellular Co. has a 12-month low of $33.38 and a 12-month high of $70.00. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $5.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -191.99 and a beta of 0.46. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $64.93 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $61.95.

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

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.