United States Cellular Goes Negative

United States Cellular (NYSE: USM  ) reported earnings on Feb. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), United States Cellular met expectations on revenues and missed expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew slightly. Non-GAAP earnings per share dropped to a loss. GAAP earnings per share shrank to a loss.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
United States Cellular notched revenue of $1.12 billion. The five analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated a top line of $1.13 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at -$0.27. The eight earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.00 per share. Non-GAAP EPS were -$0.27 for Q4 against $0.04 per share for the prior-year quarter. GAAP EPS were -$0.47 for Q4 against $0.03 per share for the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 52.4%, 500 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -3.0%, 480 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -3.6%, 390 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.11 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.46.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $4.11 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.73.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 37 members out of 59 rating the stock outperform, and 22 members rating it underperform. Among 15 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 10 give United States Cellular a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on United States Cellular is hold, with an average price target of $38.43.

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