Mariner Investment Group LLC Raises Stock Holdings in United States Cellular Corporation (NYSE:USM)

Mariner Investment Group LLC lifted its stake in United States Cellular Corporation (NYSE:USM - Free Report) by 12.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 35,005 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock after purchasing an additional 4,005 shares during the period. United States Cellular comprises about 1.0% of Mariner Investment Group LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest position. Mariner Investment Group LLC's holdings in United States Cellular were worth $2,421,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in USM. Jericho Capital Asset Management L.P. lifted its position in shares of United States Cellular by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Jericho Capital Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,815,844 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $113,890,000 after purchasing an additional 35,052 shares during the period. Gabelli Funds LLC raised its stake in United States Cellular by 0.4% in the fourth quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 709,149 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $44,478,000 after buying an additional 2,541 shares in the last quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. lifted its holdings in United States Cellular by 73.9% during the fourth quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 480,250 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $30,121,000 after buying an additional 204,146 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in United States Cellular by 12.4% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 464,685 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $29,145,000 after acquiring an additional 51,362 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings in shares of United States Cellular by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 227,397 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $14,262,000 after acquiring an additional 1,350 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 18.03% of the company's stock.

United States Cellular Stock Up 2.0%

NYSE USM traded up $1.39 on Monday, hitting $69.89. The stock had a trading volume of 327,302 shares, compared to its average volume of 180,045. The business's fifty day moving average price is $63.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $64.42. The stock has a market cap of $5.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -151.93 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. United States Cellular Corporation has a 52-week low of $47.59 and a 52-week high of $70.79.

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 2nd. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $891.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $924.90 million. Equities research analysts anticipate that United States Cellular Corporation will post 0.57 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

USM has been the subject of several recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on United States Cellular from $88.00 to $85.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $78.00 target price (down from $83.00) on shares of United States Cellular in a report on Monday, May 5th.

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.