Mariner Investment Group LLC Purchases 4,005 Shares of United States Cellular Corporation (NYSE:USM)

Mariner Investment Group LLC raised its holdings in United States Cellular Corporation (NYSE:USM - Free Report) by 12.9% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 35,005 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock after buying an additional 4,005 shares during the period. United States Cellular comprises about 1.0% of Mariner Investment Group LLC's holdings, making the stock its 11th largest position. Mariner Investment Group LLC's holdings in United States Cellular were worth $2,421,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of United States Cellular by 222.8% during the first quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 55,675 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $3,850,000 after purchasing an additional 38,428 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. bought a new position in shares of United States Cellular during the first quarter valued at about $195,000. Handelsbanken Fonder AB bought a new position in shares of United States Cellular during the first quarter valued at about $235,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in United States Cellular in the first quarter worth about $176,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in United States Cellular by 6,815.0% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 10,165 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $703,000 after acquiring an additional 10,018 shares during the period. 18.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of United States Cellular from $88.00 to $85.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th. Raymond James Financial reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $78.00 price target (down previously from $83.00) on shares of United States Cellular in a research note on Monday, May 5th.

United States Cellular Trading Up 0.4%

USM traded up $0.30 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $69.96. 38,118 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 179,706. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.95 billion, a P/E ratio of -152.05 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.70 and a quick ratio of 1.48. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $63.40 and a 200 day moving average of $64.50. United States Cellular Corporation has a 12-month low of $47.59 and a 12-month high of $70.79.

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, May 2nd. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.21 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.37 by ($0.16). United States Cellular had a positive return on equity of 1.36% and a negative net margin of 1.05%. The company had revenue of $891.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $924.90 million. Equities research analysts anticipate that United States Cellular Corporation will post 0.57 EPS for the current year.

United States Cellular 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.