Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) Competitors

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) and Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) are both mid-cap wireless telecommunication services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, risk, media sentiment, dividends, institutional ownership and profitability.

Does the media favor USM or TDS?

In the previous week, Telephone and Data Systems had 7 more articles in the media than United States Cellular. MarketBeat recorded 12 mentions for Telephone and Data Systems and 5 mentions for United States Cellular. Telephone and Data Systems' average media sentiment score of 0.78 beat United States Cellular's score of 0.68 indicating that Telephone and Data Systems is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
United States Cellular	1 Very Positive mention(s)	2 Positive mention(s)	2 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Telephone and Data Systems	6 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	6 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Which has more risk and volatility, USM or TDS?

United States Cellular has a beta of 0.35, suggesting that its share price is 65% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Telephone and Data Systems has a beta of 0.51, suggesting that its share price is 49% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Which has preferable valuation & earnings, USM or TDS?

Telephone and Data Systems has higher revenue and earnings than United States Cellular. United States Cellular is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Telephone and Data Systems, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
United States Cellular	$3.77B	1.56	-$39M	-$0.46	-150.15
Telephone and Data Systems	$4.96B	0.89	-$28M	-$1.05	-36.74

Do insiders & institutionals have more ownership in USM or TDS?

18.0% of United States Cellular shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.0% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% of United States Cellular shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 14.5% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Is USM or TDS more profitable?

Telephone and Data Systems has a net margin of -1.03% compared to United States Cellular's net margin of -1.05%. United States Cellular's return on equity of 1.36% beat Telephone and Data Systems' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
United States Cellular	-1.05%	1.36%	0.60%
Telephone and Data Systems	-1.03%	0.73%	0.26%

Do analysts recommend USM or TDS?

United States Cellular currently has a consensus target price of $82.67, indicating a potential upside of 19.69%. Telephone and Data Systems has a consensus target price of $50.00, indicating a potential upside of 29.60%. Given Telephone and Data Systems' higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Telephone and Data Systems is more favorable than United States Cellular.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
United States Cellular	0 Sell rating(s)	0 Hold rating(s)	3 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	3.00
Telephone and Data Systems	0 Sell rating(s)	0 Hold rating(s)	2 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	3.00

Summary

Telephone and Data Systems beats United States Cellular on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.