Telephone and Data Systems Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NYSE:TDS)

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE:TDS - Get Free Report) was the target of unusually large options trading activity on Monday. Traders purchased 2,543 put options on the stock. This is an increase of 196% compared to the average daily volume of 860 put options.

Institutional Trading of Telephone and Data Systems

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of TDS. Third Point LLC raised its stake in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 108.7% in the fourth quarter. Third Point LLC now owns 6,000,000 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $204,660,000 after purchasing an additional 3,125,000 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its holdings in Telephone and Data Systems by 6.7% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,229,568 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $110,161,000 after buying an additional 203,897 shares during the period. Gabelli Funds LLC raised its stake in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 1,899,767 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $64,801,000 after buying an additional 20,721 shares in the last quarter. Carronade Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Telephone and Data Systems during the 4th quarter worth about $62,845,000. Finally, Silver Point Capital L.P. boosted its position in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 47.2% during the 4th quarter. Silver Point Capital L.P. now owns 1,840,000 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $62,762,000 after acquiring an additional 590,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.00% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

TDS has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Telephone and Data Systems from $53.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 24th. Raymond James reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $47.00 price objective (down from $51.00) on shares of Telephone and Data Systems in a research note on Monday, May 5th.

Telephone and Data Systems Stock Performance

Shares of Telephone and Data Systems stock traded up $0.61 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $34.57. The company had a trading volume of 604,110 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,062,203. Telephone and Data Systems has a 1-year low of $16.64 and a 1-year high of $41.21. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $36.01 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $34.79. The stock has a market cap of $3.94 billion, a PE ratio of -6.40 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.59 and a quick ratio of 1.44.

Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 2nd. The Wireless communications provider reported ($0.09) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.02) by ($0.07). The company had revenue of $1.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.18 billion. Telephone and Data Systems had a positive return on equity of 1.12% and a negative net margin of 10.72%. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.10 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Telephone and Data Systems will post -0.31 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Telephone and Data Systems Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Monday, March 17th were paid a dividend of $0.04 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 17th. This represents a $0.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.46%. Telephone and Data Systems's dividend payout ratio is -15.24%.

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.