AlphaQuest LLC Reduces Position in United States Cellular Co. (NYSE:USM)

AlphaQuest LLC trimmed its holdings in United States Cellular Co. (NYSE:USM) by 4.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,473 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock after selling 202 shares during the quarter. AlphaQuest LLC’s holdings in United States Cellular were worth $281,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. FMR LLC increased its stake in United States Cellular by 3.5% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 247,985 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $13,552,000 after purchasing an additional 8,416 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in United States Cellular by 20.9% in 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 buying an additional 29,927 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in United States Cellular by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 166,181 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock valued at $9,085,000 after buying an additional 7,449 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its position in United States Cellular by 13.0% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 106,343 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock valued at $5,812,000 after buying an additional 12,219 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in United States Cellular by 34.3% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 52,688 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $2,879,000 after acquiring an additional 13,467 shares in the last quarter. 18.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

United States Cellular Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:USM opened at $65.22 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $64.13 and a 200 day moving average of $61.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The company has a market capitalization of $5.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -181.15 and a beta of 0.46. United States Cellular Co. has a 52 week low of $33.38 and a 52 week high of $69.20.

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 21st. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.10) by $0.15. The company had revenue of $970.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $964.70 million. United States Cellular had a positive return on equity of 1.55% and a negative net margin of 0.79%. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.23 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that United States Cellular Co. will post 0.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on USM. StockNews.com upgraded United States Cellular from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on United States Cellular from $86.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 24th.

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.