Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Increases Position in Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. $TDS

Key Points

• Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Telephone and Data Systems by 1.7% during Q1, now holding 6,354,795 shares worth approximately $246 million, representing about 5.57% of the company.
• The company reported a loss of ($0.05) EPS for the recent quarter, missing estimates, while revenue slightly exceeded projections at $1.19 billion but was down 5.7% year-over-year.
• Telephone and Data Systems declared a quarterly dividend of $0.04 per share, with the ex-dividend date set for September 15th, and an annualized yield of 0.4%.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in shares of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE:TDS - Free Report) by 1.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 6,354,795 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock after buying an additional 107,501 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned 5.57% of Telephone and Data Systems worth $246,181,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bayforest Capital Ltd raised its position in Telephone and Data Systems by 121.8% during the 1st quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 1,342 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 737 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. purchased a new position in Telephone and Data Systems during the 4th quarter worth $56,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its position in Telephone and Data Systems by 85.6% during the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 4,092 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $139,000 after buying an additional 1,887 shares during the last quarter. Forum Financial Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Telephone and Data Systems during the 1st quarter worth $200,000. Finally, United Capital Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Telephone and Data Systems during the 4th quarter worth $201,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.00% of the company's stock.

Telephone and Data Systems Price Performance

TDS traded down $0.3780 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $38.9420. 1,187,530 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,512,627. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 1.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.44 billion, a PE ratio of -40.15 and a beta of 0.54. The business's 50-day moving average price is $37.38 and its 200 day moving average price is $36.38. Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. has a 1-year low of $21.08 and a 1-year high of $42.74.

Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, August 11th. The Wireless communications provider reported ($0.05) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.01) by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $1.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.17 billion. Telephone and Data Systems had a positive return on equity of 0.92% and a negative net margin of 0.85%.The business's revenue was down 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.13) EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. will post -0.31 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Telephone and Data Systems Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $0.04 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. This represents a $0.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. Telephone and Data Systems's payout ratio is presently -16.49%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of Telephone and Data Systems from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Telephone and Data Systems from $53.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Raymond James Financial upped their price target on shares of Telephone and Data Systems from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Telephone and Data Systems from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, August 17th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Telephone and Data Systems currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $52.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at Telephone and Data Systems

In other news, Director Prudence E. Carlson sold 6,320 shares of Telephone and Data Systems stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.05, for a total transaction of $240,476.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 315,457 shares in the company, valued at $12,003,138.85. The trade was a 1.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Joseph R. Hanley sold 68,759 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.16, for a total transaction of $2,623,843.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 60,473 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,307,649.68. This represents a 53.21% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 276,650 shares of company stock worth $10,690,789. 14.97% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.