Traders Purchase Large Volume of Telephone and Data Systems Call Options (NYSE:TDS)

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE:TDS - Get Free Report) was the target of some unusual options trading activity on Monday. Stock traders bought 3,992 call options on the stock. This is an increase of 50% compared to the average daily volume of 2,664 call options.

Telephone and Data Systems Trading Up 9.3 %

Shares of NYSE:TDS traded up $1.33 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $15.69. The stock had a trading volume of 1,878,432 shares, compared to its average volume of 963,611. Telephone and Data Systems has a 12-month low of $6.43 and a 12-month high of $21.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.58. The company has a market cap of $1.77 billion, a PE ratio of -3.22 and a beta of 0.81. The company's 50 day moving average is $15.63 and its 200-day moving average is $17.35.

Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, May 3rd. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.05) by $0.15. Telephone and Data Systems had a positive return on equity of 0.62% and a negative net margin of 9.36%. The company had revenue of $1.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.26 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned ($0.08) earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was down 3.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Telephone and Data Systems will post -1 EPS for the current year.

Telephone and Data Systems Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th were given a $0.19 dividend. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.84%. This is a positive change from Telephone and Data Systems's previous quarterly dividend of $0.19. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 14th. Telephone and Data Systems's dividend payout ratio is -15.61%.

Institutional Trading of Telephone and Data Systems

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Telephone and Data Systems during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Telephone and Data Systems in the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Telephone and Data Systems during the 4th quarter worth about $60,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Telephone and Data Systems during the 4th quarter valued at about $93,000. Finally, Quadrant Capital Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 14.0% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 5,062 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $93,000 after buying an additional 622 shares in the last quarter. 80.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com lowered Telephone and Data Systems from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 26th.

About Telephone and Data Systems

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.