Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) Competitors

Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) and United States Cellular (NYSE:USM) are both mid-cap wireless telecommunication services companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, risk and media sentiment.

Does the media favor TDS or USM?

In the previous week, Telephone and Data Systems had 5 more articles in the media than United States Cellular. MarketBeat recorded 11 mentions for Telephone and Data Systems and 6 mentions for United States Cellular. Telephone and Data Systems' average media sentiment score of 0.83 beat United States Cellular's score of 0.62 indicating that Telephone and Data Systems is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Telephone and Data Systems	6 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	5 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
United States Cellular	1 Very Positive mention(s)	3 Positive mention(s)	2 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Which has higher valuation & earnings, TDS or USM?

Telephone and Data Systems has higher revenue and earnings than United States Cellular. United States Cellular is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Telephone and Data Systems, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Telephone and Data Systems	$4.96B	0.86	-$28M	-$1.05	-35.85
United States Cellular	$3.71B	1.57	-$39M	-$0.46	-148.60

Is TDS or USM more profitable?

Telephone and Data Systems has a net margin of -1.03% compared to United States Cellular's net margin of -1.05%. United States Cellular's return on equity of 1.36% beat Telephone and Data Systems' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Telephone and Data Systems	-1.03%	0.73%	0.26%
United States Cellular	-1.05%	1.36%	0.60%

Which has more volatility & risk, TDS or USM?

Telephone and Data Systems has a beta of 0.51, indicating that its share price is 49% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, United States Cellular has a beta of 0.35, indicating that its share price is 65% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Do institutionals & insiders have more ownership in TDS or USM?

80.0% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 18.0% of United States Cellular shares are held by institutional investors. 15.0% of Telephone and Data Systems shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.0% of United States Cellular shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Do analysts prefer TDS or USM?

Telephone and Data Systems currently has a consensus price target of $50.00, suggesting a potential upside of 32.82%. United States Cellular has a consensus price target of $82.67, suggesting a potential upside of 20.94%. Given Telephone and Data Systems' higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Telephone and Data Systems is more favorable than United States Cellular.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Telephone and Data Systems	0 Sell rating(s)	0 Hold rating(s)	2 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	3.00
United States Cellular	0 Sell rating(s)	0 Hold rating(s)	3 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	3.00

Summary

Telephone and Data Systems beats United States Cellular on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.