Swiss National Bank Decreases Stake in United States Cellular Corporation $USM

Swiss National Bank lowered its position in United States Cellular Corporation (NYSE:USM) by 3.2% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 30,300 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock after selling 1,000 shares during the quarter. Swiss National Bank’s holdings in United States Cellular were worth $2,095,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. 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 last quarter. 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 last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in United States Cellular in the first quarter worth approximately $176,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in United States Cellular in the first quarter worth approximately $195,000. Finally, Corton Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of United States Cellular during the 4th quarter worth approximately $203,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 18.03% of the company’s stock.

United States Cellular Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a current ratio of 1.70. United States Cellular Corporation has a 12-month low of $51.20 and a 12-month high of $79.17. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $69.51 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $66.47. The stock has a market cap of $6.62 billion, a P/E ratio of -259.59 and a beta of 0.38.

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) last released its earnings results on Monday, August 11th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.33 by $0.03. United States Cellular had a negative net margin of 0.68% and a positive return on equity of 1.68%. The firm had revenue of $916.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $907.73 million. As a group, analysts anticipate that United States Cellular Corporation will post 0.57 earnings per share for the current year.

United States Cellular Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a special dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 19th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 11th were paid a dividend of $23.00 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 20th. This is a positive change from United States Cellular’s previous special dividend of $0.06.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Raymond James Financial restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $84.00 target price (up previously from $78.00) on shares of United States Cellular in a report on Friday, July 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of United States Cellular from $85.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $85.33.

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.