United States Cellular Co. (NYSE:USM) Short Interest Up 18.5% in May

United States Cellular Co. (NYSE:USM - Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,080,000 shares, an increase of 18.5% from the April 30th total of 911,600 shares. Currently, 7.9% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 215,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.0 days.

United States Cellular Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of United States Cellular stock traded up $0.20 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $62.73. The stock had a trading volume of 96,754 shares, compared to its average volume of 178,329. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $64.14 and a two-hundred day moving average of $64.17. United States Cellular has a 12-month low of $47.59 and a 12-month high of $70.79. The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The firm has a market cap of $5.33 billion, a P/E ratio of -174.23 and a beta of 0.35.

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 2nd. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.37 by ($0.16). United States Cellular had a negative net margin of 0.79% and a positive return on equity of 1.55%. The firm had revenue of $891.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $924.90 million. Sell-side analysts forecast that United States Cellular will post 0.57 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of United States Cellular

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of United States Cellular in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of United States Cellular by 1,837.5% in the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 930 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $58,000 after buying an additional 882 shares during the period. Amundi grew its stake in shares of United States Cellular by 17.6% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,628 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $99,000 after buying an additional 244 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its stake in shares of United States Cellular by 37.6% in the 4th quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,657 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock valued at $104,000 after buying an additional 453 shares during the period. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of United States Cellular by 1,917.3% during the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,219 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $139,000 after purchasing an additional 2,109 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 18.03% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have commented on USM shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of United States Cellular from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of United States Cellular from $88.00 to $85.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. Finally, Raymond James reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $78.00 price objective (down previously from $83.00) on shares of United States Cellular in a report on Monday, May 5th.

United States Cellular Company 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.