United States Cellular Co. (NYSE:USM) Shares Acquired by Lazard Asset Management LLC

Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of United States Cellular Co. (NYSE:USM) by 1,837.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 930 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 882 shares during the quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC’s holdings in United States Cellular were worth $58,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Mariner Investment Group LLC acquired a new position in United States Cellular during the fourth quarter worth $1,944,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its holdings in shares of United States Cellular by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 227,397 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock valued at $14,262,000 after buying an additional 1,350 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in United States Cellular by 20.9% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 172,948 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $10,847,000 after acquiring an additional 29,927 shares in the last quarter. Amundi lifted its stake in United States Cellular by 17.6% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,628 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $99,000 after acquiring an additional 244 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Park Capital Management LLC WI purchased a new position in United States Cellular during the 4th quarter valued at about $459,000. 18.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Raymond James reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $78.00 price target (down previously from $83.00) on shares of United States Cellular in a research report on Monday, May 5th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of United States Cellular from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted 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.

United States Cellular Stock Performance

Shares of USM opened at $60.94 on Monday. United States Cellular Co. has a 1 year low of $41.25 and a 1 year high of $70.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.18 billion, a PE ratio of -169.27 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a current ratio of 1.57. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $65.39 and a 200-day simple moving average of $64.21.

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 2nd. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.37 by ($0.16). United States Cellular had a positive return on equity of 1.55% and a negative net margin of 0.79%. The firm had revenue of $891.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $924.90 million. On average, analysts predict that United States Cellular Co. will post 0.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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.