Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Takes $1.15 Million Position in Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. $TDS

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE:TDS) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 32,208 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,146,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Assetmark Inc. raised its holdings in Telephone and Data Systems by 53.1% in the 2nd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,297 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd increased its position in shares of Telephone and Data Systems by 121.8% during the first quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 1,342 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 737 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Telephone and Data Systems in the first quarter valued at $214,000. HB Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Telephone and Data Systems in the first quarter worth $216,000. Finally, United Services Automobile Association bought a new position in Telephone and Data Systems in the first quarter worth $248,000. 80.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Telephone and Data Systems Stock Performance

NYSE TDS opened at $39.72 on Thursday. Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. has a 1-year low of $31.07 and a 1-year high of $42.74. The company has a 50 day moving average of $38.62 and a 200-day moving average of $37.51. The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. The firm has a market cap of $4.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -40.95 and a beta of 0.35.

Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE:TDS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.07 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.06) by $0.13. Telephone and Data Systems had a positive return on equity of 0.92% and a negative net margin of 0.85%.The business had revenue of $308.52 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.16 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned ($0.73) EPS. Telephone and Data Systems’s revenue for the quarter was down 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. will post -0.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Telephone and Data Systems Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a $0.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Telephone and Data Systems’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -14.81%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Citigroup began coverage on shares of Telephone and Data Systems in a report on Wednesday. They issued a “buy” rating and a $45.00 price target on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Telephone and Data Systems from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Telephone and Data Systems in a research report on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Telephone and Data Systems from $53.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Finally, Raymond James Financial lifted their price objective on Telephone and Data Systems from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $49.67.

Insider Buying and Selling at Telephone and Data Systems

In related news, CAO Anita J. Kroll sold 870 shares of Telephone and Data Systems stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.16, for a total value of $34,069.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 14.97% of the company’s stock.

Telephone and Data Systems Company Profile

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.