United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) Hits New 52-Week High - Should You Buy?

United States Cellular Corporation (NYSE:USM - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $71.99 and last traded at $70.30, with a volume of 142 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $69.99.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently weighed in on USM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of United States Cellular from $88.00 to $85.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 28th. Raymond James Financial reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $78.00 price objective (down from $83.00) on shares of United States Cellular in a research note on Monday, May 5th.

United States Cellular Stock Performance

The company's 50 day moving average price is $62.78 and its 200-day moving average price is $64.31. The stock has a market cap of $5.85 billion, a P/E ratio of -149.57 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a current ratio of 1.70.

United States Cellular (NYSE:USM - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 2nd. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.37 by ($0.16). United States Cellular had a positive return on equity of 1.36% and a negative net margin of 1.05%. The firm had revenue of $891.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $924.90 million. Equities analysts forecast that United States Cellular Corporation will post 0.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of United States Cellular

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. bought a new position in United States Cellular in the 1st quarter valued at $195,000. Handelsbanken Fonder AB purchased a new position in shares of United States Cellular in the 1st quarter worth about $235,000. Deutsche Bank AG bought a new position in United States Cellular during the fourth quarter valued at about $431,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings in United States Cellular by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 227,397 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $14,262,000 after buying an additional 1,350 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in United States Cellular by 20.9% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 172,948 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock worth $10,847,000 after acquiring an additional 29,927 shares during the period. 18.03% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.