United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) Reaches New 12-Month High - Time to Buy?

United States Cellular Co. (NYSE:USM - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $68.44 and last traded at $68.32, with a volume of 25237 shares. The stock had previously closed at $67.58.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

USM has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com upgraded United States Cellular from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday. Raymond James raised shares of United States Cellular from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $86.00 target price for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of United States Cellular from $75.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th.

United States Cellular Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $63.45 and a 200-day moving average of $60.07. The company has a market cap of $5.61 billion, a P/E ratio of -181.06 and a beta of 0.47.

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 21st. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.05 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.10) by $0.15. United States Cellular had a positive return on equity of 1.55% and a negative net margin of 0.79%. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.23 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that United States Cellular Co. will post 0.57 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 business. Amundi lifted its stake in 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 acquiring an additional 244 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its stake in United States Cellular by 6.3% in the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 4,148 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $227,000 after acquiring an additional 245 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its stake in United States Cellular by 0.7% in 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 period. Swiss National Bank lifted its stake in United States Cellular by 1.3% in the fourth quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 31,300 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $1,963,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its stake in United States Cellular by 37.6% in the fourth quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,657 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $104,000 after acquiring an additional 453 shares during the period. 18.03% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United States Cellular Company Profile

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.