Sterling Capital Management LLC Buys 2,835 Shares of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE:TDS)

Sterling Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE:TDS) by 33.7% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 11,238 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 2,835 shares during the period. Sterling Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Telephone and Data Systems were worth $383,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Telephone and Data Systems by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,291,071 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $53,278,000 after purchasing an additional 43,470 shares in the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in Telephone and Data Systems in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $294,000. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its position in Telephone and Data Systems by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 78,508 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $1,855,000 after buying an additional 1,938 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its holdings in Telephone and Data Systems by 14.5% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 2,395 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock worth $82,000 after acquiring an additional 303 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in Telephone and Data Systems by 8.3% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 5,742 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock valued at $196,000 after acquiring an additional 440 shares during the period. 80.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Telephone and Data Systems Price Performance

Telephone and Data Systems stock opened at $36.47 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $36.63 and its 200 day moving average is $33.73. Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. has a one year low of $14.04 and a one year high of $41.21. The firm has a market cap of $4.16 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.75 and a beta of 0.62. 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) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 21st. The Wireless communications provider reported ($0.09) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.32) by $0.23. Telephone and Data Systems had a negative net margin of 10.72% and a positive return on equity of 1.12%. The firm had revenue of $1.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.23 billion. As a group, research analysts expect that Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. will post -0.31 EPS for the current year.

Telephone and Data Systems Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th were issued a dividend of $0.04 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 17th. This represents a $0.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.44%. Telephone and Data Systems’s payout ratio is currently -18.60%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target 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.

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.