United Capital Financial Advisors LLC Makes New Investment in Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE:TDS)

United Capital Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE:TDS) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 5,890 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock, valued at approximately $201,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Telephone and Data Systems during the 4th quarter worth approximately $23,776,000. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 6.7% in the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,229,568 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $110,161,000 after buying an additional 203,897 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 42.3% in the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 652,603 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $22,260,000 after buying an additional 194,136 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Telephone and Data Systems in the fourth quarter valued at $5,619,000. Finally, Barclays PLC boosted its stake in Telephone and Data Systems by 23.1% during the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 675,713 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock valued at $23,049,000 after acquiring an additional 126,993 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.00% of the company’s stock.

Telephone and Data Systems Stock Performance

TDS stock opened at $34.89 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $36.50 and its 200 day simple moving average is $33.90. Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. has a 12-month low of $14.04 and a 12-month high of $41.21. The firm has a market cap of $3.98 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.46 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85.

Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) last issued its earnings results on Friday, February 21st. The Wireless communications provider reported ($0.09) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.32) by $0.23. Telephone and Data Systems had a negative net margin of 10.72% and a positive return on equity of 1.12%. The company had revenue of $1.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.23 billion. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. will post -0.31 EPS for the current year.

Telephone and Data Systems Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th were paid a $0.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 17th. This represents a $0.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.46%. Telephone and Data Systems’s payout ratio is currently -18.60%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Telephone and Data Systems from $53.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 24th.

Telephone and Data Systems Company Profile

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc, a telecommunications company, provides communications services in the United States. It operates through two segments: UScellular and TDS Telecom. The company offers wireless solutions to consumers, and business and government customers, including a suite of connected Internet of things (IoT) solutions, and software applications for monitor and control, business automation/operations, communication, fleet and asset management, smart water solutions, private cellular networks and custom, and end-to-end IoT solutions; wireless priority services and quality priority and preemption options; smartphones and other handsets, tablets, wearables, mobile hotspots, fixed wireless home internet, and IoT devices; and accessories, such as cases, screen protectors, chargers, and memory cards, as well as consumer electronics, including audio, home automation and networking products.