Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) Downgraded to Sell at StockNews.com

StockNews.com lowered shares of Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday morning.

Telephone and Data Systems Stock Up 1.0 %

TDS stock opened at $16.02 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.81 billion, a PE ratio of -3.17 and a beta of 0.81. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $16.67 and its 200-day moving average is $17.76. Telephone and Data Systems has a twelve month low of $6.43 and a twelve month high of $21.75.

Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 16th. The Wireless communications provider reported ($0.11) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.12) by $0.01. The company had revenue of $1.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.28 billion. Telephone and Data Systems had a positive return on equity of 0.21% and a negative net margin of 9.69%. Telephone and Data Systems’s revenue was down 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted ($0.38) earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Telephone and Data Systems will post -1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Telephone and Data Systems Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th were given a dividend of $0.19 per share. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.74%. This is an increase from Telephone and Data Systems’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.19. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 14th. Telephone and Data Systems’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -15.05%.

Institutional Trading of Telephone and Data Systems

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Principal Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Telephone and Data Systems during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its position in Telephone and Data Systems by 155.8% in the third quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 2,499 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 1,522 shares during the last quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Telephone and Data Systems in the fourth quarter worth $46,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in Telephone and Data Systems in the fourth quarter worth $60,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its position in Telephone and Data Systems by 56.2% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 3,954 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $75,000 after buying an additional 1,422 shares during the last quarter. 80.00% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.