Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) CFO Sells $2,253,909.12 in Stock

Key Points

• Vicki L. Villacrez, the CFO of Telephone and Data Systems, sold 58,452 shares of the company's stock for over $2.25 million, significantly reducing her ownership by 68.57%.
• The company's stock is currently down 0.8% and has a market capitalization of $4.39 billion.
• Telephone and Data Systems recently announced a $0.04 quarterly dividend, providing a yield of 0.4%, with a payout ratio of -16.49%.

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE:TDS - Get Free Report) CFO Vicki L. Villacrez sold 58,452 shares of Telephone and Data Systems stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.56, for a total transaction of $2,253,909.12. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 26,788 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,032,945.28. This trade represents a 68.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Telephone and Data Systems Price Performance

NYSE:TDS traded up $0.0220 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $39.0520. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,229,135 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,586,906. The company has a market capitalization of $4.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -40.26 and a beta of 0.54. 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, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $20.45 and a fifty-two week high of $42.74. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $37.16 and a 200-day moving average of $36.33.

Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS - Get Free Report) last released 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 company had revenue of $1.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.17 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.13) earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, 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 business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.04 per share. This represents a $0.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. Telephone and Data Systems's dividend payout ratio is currently -16.49%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently commented on TDS. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Telephone and Data Systems from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Telephone and Data Systems from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective 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. Finally, Raymond James Financial lifted their target price on shares of Telephone and Data Systems from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $52.00.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Telephone and Data Systems

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TDS. Assetmark Inc. lifted its position in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 53.1% during the second quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,297 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 191.3% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,311 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 861 shares in the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd raised its position in Telephone and Data Systems by 121.8% in the 1st quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 1,342 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 737 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. acquired a new position in Telephone and Data Systems during the 4th quarter worth $56,000. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings 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 in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.00% of the company's stock.

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.