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

United States Cellular Co. (NYSE:USM - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $69.33 and last traded at $69.57, with a volume of 14669 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $68.70.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have commented on USM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of United States Cellular from $86.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 24th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of United States Cellular from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st.

United States Cellular Stock Down 0.9 %

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 stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $65.32 and a 200 day simple moving average of $62.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.90 billion, a PE ratio of -192.65 and a beta of 0.46.

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 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.10) by $0.15. The business had revenue of $970.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $964.70 million. 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 firm earned $0.23 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that United States Cellular Co. will post 0.57 earnings per share for the current year.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of USM. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in United States Cellular in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in United States Cellular by 1,837.5% in the fourth quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 930 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 882 shares during the period. Amundi boosted its holdings in United States Cellular by 17.6% in the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 1,628 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $99,000 after acquiring an additional 244 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its holdings in United States Cellular by 37.6% in the 4th quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,657 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $104,000 after purchasing an additional 453 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of United States Cellular by 1,917.3% in the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,219 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $139,000 after purchasing an additional 2,109 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 18.03% of the company's stock.

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.