Inspire Investing LLC Boosts Stake in Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. $TDS

Key Points

• Inspire Investing LLC increased its stake in Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. by 158.2% within the first quarter, owning 30,323 shares valued at approximately $1.175 million.
• Insiders of Telephone and Data Systems sold a total of 276,650 shares, worth nearly $10.69 million, over the last quarter, reflecting significant decreases in their individual holdings.
• Despite a reported net loss of ($0.05) earnings per share for the latest quarter, analysts maintained a Moderate Buy consensus rating with an average price target of $52.00 for the stock.

Inspire Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE:TDS - Free Report) by 158.2% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 30,323 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock after purchasing an additional 18,577 shares during the period. Inspire Investing LLC's holdings in Telephone and Data Systems were worth $1,175,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Xponance Inc. boosted its position in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 4.5% during the 1st quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 7,485 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $290,000 after purchasing an additional 324 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 8.0% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 6,544 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $254,000 after purchasing an additional 485 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 8.7% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,243 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $242,000 after purchasing an additional 501 shares during the period. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Telephone and Data Systems by 5.8% during the 1st quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 9,648 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $374,000 after buying an additional 531 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. lifted its holdings in Telephone and Data Systems by 5.5% during the 1st quarter. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 11,596 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $449,000 after buying an additional 606 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.00% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Joseph R. Hanley sold 68,759 shares of Telephone and Data Systems stock in a transaction 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 sale, the senior vice president directly owned 60,473 shares in the company, valued at $2,307,649.68. This trade represents a 53.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CAO Anita J. Kroll sold 8,608 shares of Telephone and Data Systems stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.09, for a total transaction of $336,486.72. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 17,087 shares in the company, valued at $667,930.83. This represents a 33.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 276,650 shares of company stock valued at $10,690,789 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 14.97% of the company's stock.

Telephone and Data Systems Price Performance

Shares of TDS opened at $39.25 on Friday. Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. has a twelve month low of $22.51 and a twelve month high of $42.74. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $38.81 and its 200-day simple moving average is $36.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -40.46 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85.

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

Telephone and Data Systems Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be issued a $0.04 dividend. This represents a $0.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. Telephone and Data Systems's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -16.49%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

TDS has been the topic of a number of research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Telephone and Data Systems from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, August 17th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Telephone and Data Systems from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Telephone and Data Systems from $53.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Finally, Raymond James Financial increased their target price on shares of Telephone and Data Systems from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $52.00.

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.

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