Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) Downgraded to "Sell" Rating by Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS - Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note published on Friday morning.

Several other equities analysts have also commented on TDS. Raymond James restated an "outperform" rating and set a $47.00 price target (down previously from $51.00) on shares of Telephone and Data Systems in a research note on Monday, May 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Telephone and Data Systems from $56.00 to $53.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 28th.

Telephone and Data Systems Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of NYSE:TDS traded up $0.15 on Friday, hitting $34.51. 630,325 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,019,169. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.39 and a beta of 0.57. Telephone and Data Systems has a 12 month low of $17.90 and a 12 month high of $41.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.59 and a quick ratio of 1.44. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $35.65 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $35.30.

Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 firm had revenue of $1.15 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 firm's revenue for the quarter was down 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.10 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Telephone and Data Systems will post -0.31 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Telephone and Data Systems Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Monday, June 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.04 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 16th. This represents a $0.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.46%. Telephone and Data Systems's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -15.24%.

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 the stock. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in Telephone and Data Systems by 235.7% during the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 6,871 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $234,000 after acquiring an additional 4,824 shares in the last quarter. KBC Group NV increased its holdings in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 70.6% during the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 4,853 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $166,000 after purchasing an additional 2,008 shares in the last quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky purchased a new position in shares of Telephone and Data Systems during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Telephone and Data Systems in the 4th quarter valued at $239,000. Finally, Savant Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Telephone and Data Systems during the fourth quarter worth $203,000. 80.00% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.