Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) Reaches New 12-Month High - Still a Buy?

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE:TDS - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $39.54 and last traded at $39.85, with a volume of 700810 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $38.37.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Telephone and Data Systems from $39.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, November 4th. Raymond James upgraded shares of Telephone and Data Systems from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $51.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 7th.

Telephone and Data Systems Stock Down 4.1 %

The firm's 50-day moving average is $35.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $29.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a current ratio of 1.59. The stock has a market cap of $4.29 billion, a P/E ratio of -7.04 and a beta of 0.80.

Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 21st. The Wireless communications provider reported ($0.09) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.32) by $0.23. Telephone and Data Systems had a positive return on equity of 1.12% and a negative net margin of 10.72%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. will post -0.31 earnings per share for the current year.

Telephone and Data Systems Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.04 per share. This represents a $0.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.42%. Telephone and Data Systems's dividend payout ratio is currently -2.96%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Independence Bank of Kentucky bought a new stake in shares of Telephone and Data Systems during the fourth quarter worth approximately $41,000. Federated Hermes Inc. acquired a new stake in Telephone and Data Systems during the 4th quarter worth $56,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Telephone and Data Systems during the 4th quarter valued at $74,000. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its stake in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 14.5% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 2,395 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $82,000 after purchasing an additional 303 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP boosted its position in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 35.5% in the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 2,643 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 692 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.00% of the company's stock.

About Telephone and Data Systems

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc, a telecommunications company, provides communications services in the United States. It operates through two segments: UScellular and TDS Telecom. The company offers wireless solutions to consumers, and business and government customers, including a suite of connected Internet of things (IoT) solutions, and software applications for monitor and control, business automation/operations, communication, fleet and asset management, smart water solutions, private cellular networks and custom, and end-to-end IoT solutions; wireless priority services and quality priority and preemption options; smartphones and other handsets, tablets, wearables, mobile hotspots, fixed wireless home internet, and IoT devices; and accessories, such as cases, screen protectors, chargers, and memory cards, as well as consumer electronics, including audio, home automation and networking products.