United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) Raised to Hold at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of United States Cellular (NYSE:USM - Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Friday.

Several other equities analysts also recently commented on USM. Raymond James upgraded shares of United States Cellular from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $86.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of United States Cellular from $75.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th.

United States Cellular Stock Down 2.8 %

Shares of NYSE:USM traded down $1.87 during trading on Friday, hitting $65.18. 306,731 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 117,124. United States Cellular has a fifty-two week low of $32.01 and a fifty-two week high of $69.20. The stock has a market cap of $5.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -181.06 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $63.40 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $59.96.

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 21st. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.10) by $0.15. United States Cellular had a negative net margin of 0.79% and a positive return on equity of 1.55%. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.23 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that United States Cellular will post 0.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United States Cellular

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Amundi increased its position in shares of United States Cellular by 17.6% in the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 1,628 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $99,000 after purchasing an additional 244 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its holdings in shares of United States Cellular by 6.3% during the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 4,148 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $227,000 after purchasing an additional 245 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its position in shares of United States Cellular by 0.7% during the third quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 36,029 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $1,969,000 after acquiring an additional 264 shares during the last quarter. Swiss National Bank boosted its stake in shares of United States Cellular by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 31,300 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $1,963,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its position in shares of United States Cellular by 37.6% during the fourth quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,657 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $104,000 after buying an additional 453 shares during the period. 18.03% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.