US CELLULAR CORP (USM) Stock Fundamental Analysis

NYSE:USM • US9116841084

77.01 USD
+2.76 (+3.72%)
At close: Aug 11, 2025
77.9 USD
+0.89 (+1.16%)
After Hours: 8/11/2025, 8:07:46 PM
Fundamental Rating

3

We assign a fundamental rating of 3 out of 10 to USM. USM was compared to 22 industry peers in the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry. Both the profitability and the financial health of USM get a neutral evaluation. Nothing too spectacular is happening here. USM has a expensive valuation and it also scores bad on growth.


Dividend Valuation Growth Profitability Health

4

1. Profitability

1.1 Basic Checks

  • In the past year USM was profitable.
  • In the past year USM had a positive cash flow from operations.
  • USM had positive earnings in 4 of the past 5 years.
  • Each year in the past 5 years USM had a positive operating cash flow.
USM Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFUSM Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFYearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 500M -500M 1B -1B

1.2 Ratios

  • USM has a worse Return On Assets (-0.38%) than 72.73% of its industry peers.
  • USM has a worse Return On Equity (-0.85%) than 72.73% of its industry peers.
  • USM has a Return On Invested Capital (1.10%) which is comparable to the rest of the industry.
  • Measured over the past 3 years, the Average Return On Invested Capital for USM is significantly below the industry average of 6.60%.
  • The 3 year average ROIC (1.05%) for USM is below the current ROIC(1.10%), indicating increased profibility in the last year.
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA -0.38%
ROE -0.85%
ROIC 1.1%
ROA(3y)0.13%
ROA(5y)0.85%
ROE(3y)0.32%
ROE(5y)1.91%
ROIC(3y)1.05%
ROIC(5y)1.3%
USM Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICUSM Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICYearly ROA, ROE, ROIC 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 2 4

1.3 Margins

  • USM has a Operating Margin (3.58%) which is in line with its industry peers.
  • USM's Operating Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
  • The Gross Margin of USM (57.26%) is better than 68.18% of its industry peers.
  • In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of USM has remained more or less at the same level.
Industry RankSector Rank
OM 3.58%
PM (TTM) N/A
GM 57.26%
OM growth 3Y-6.02%
OM growth 5Y3.54%
PM growth 3YN/A
PM growth 5YN/A
GM growth 3Y1.86%
GM growth 5Y0.4%
USM Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsUSM Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsYearly Profit, Operating, Gross Margins 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 10 20 30 40 50

4

2. Health

2.1 Basic Checks

  • The Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is below the Cost of Capital (WACC), so USM is destroying value.
  • The number of shares outstanding for USM remains at a similar level compared to 1 year ago.
  • USM has less shares outstanding than it did 5 years ago.
  • The debt/assets ratio for USM has been reduced compared to a year ago.
USM Yearly Shares OutstandingUSM Yearly Shares OutstandingYearly Shares Outstanding 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 20M 40M 60M 80M
USM Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsUSM Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsYearly Total Debt VS Total Assets 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2B 4B 6B 8B 10B

2.2 Solvency

  • Based on the Altman-Z score of 1.53, we must say that USM is in the distress zone and has some risk of bankruptcy.
  • USM's Altman-Z score of 1.53 is fine compared to the rest of the industry. USM outperforms 72.73% of its industry peers.
  • USM has a debt to FCF ratio of 8.09. This is a slightly negative value and a sign of low solvency as USM would need 8.09 years to pay back of all of its debts.
  • USM has a Debt to FCF ratio (8.09) which is comparable to the rest of the industry.
  • A Debt/Equity ratio of 0.62 indicates that USM is somewhat dependend on debt financing.
  • Looking at the Debt to Equity ratio, with a value of 0.62, USM is in line with its industry, outperforming 59.09% of the companies in the same industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.62
Debt/FCF 8.09
Altman-Z 1.53
ROIC/WACC0.14
WACC7.62%
USM Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFUSM Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFYearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 1B -1B 2B 3B 4B

2.3 Liquidity

  • A Current Ratio of 1.70 indicates that USM should not have too much problems paying its short term obligations.
  • USM's Current ratio of 1.70 is fine compared to the rest of the industry. USM outperforms 63.64% of its industry peers.
  • USM has a Quick Ratio of 1.48. This is a normal value and indicates that USM is financially healthy and should not expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
  • The Quick ratio of USM (1.48) is better than 68.18% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Current Ratio 1.7
Quick Ratio 1.48
USM Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesUSM Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesYearly Current Assets VS Current Liabilites 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 500M 1B 1.5B 2B 2.5B

1

3. Growth

3.1 Past

  • USM shows a small growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year, the EPS has grown by 7.32%.
  • Measured over the past years, USM shows a very negative growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS has been decreasing by -13.19% on average per year.
  • Looking at the last year, USM shows a decrease in Revenue. The Revenue has decreased by -3.48% in the last year.
  • Measured over the past years, USM shows a decrease in Revenue. The Revenue has been decreasing by -1.29% on average per year.
EPS 1Y (TTM)7.32%
EPS 3Y-26.25%
EPS 5Y-13.19%
EPS Q2Q%80%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)-3.48%
Revenue growth 3Y-2.93%
Revenue growth 5Y-1.29%
Sales Q2Q%-1.19%

3.2 Future

  • The Earnings Per Share is expected to grow by 0.20% on average over the next years.
  • USM is expected to show a very negative growth in Revenue. In the coming years, the Revenue will decrease by -42.63% yearly.
EPS Next Y15.94%
EPS Next 2Y25.09%
EPS Next 3Y21.15%
EPS Next 5Y0.2%
Revenue Next Year-2.84%
Revenue Next 2Y-1.42%
Revenue Next 3Y-1.07%
Revenue Next 5Y-42.63%

3.3 Evolution

  • When comparing the EPS growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is accelerating.
  • When comparing the Revenue growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is decreasing.
USM Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesUSM Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesYearly Revenue VS Estimates 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 1B 2B 3B 4B
USM Yearly EPS VS EstimatesUSM Yearly EPS VS EstimatesYearly EPS VS Estimates 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 0 2 -2

1

4. Valuation

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

  • A Price/Earnings ratio of 87.51 indicates a quite expensive valuation of USM.
  • Based on the Price/Earnings ratio, USM is valued a bit more expensive than the industry average as 72.73% of the companies are valued more cheaply.
  • USM is valuated expensively when we compare the Price/Earnings ratio to 27.97, which is the current average of the S&P500 Index.
  • The Price/Forward Earnings ratio is 69.32, which means the current valuation is very expensive for USM.
  • Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio, USM is valued a bit more expensive than the industry average as 72.73% of the companies are valued more cheaply.
  • USM is valuated expensively when we compare the Price/Forward Earnings ratio to 27.96, which is the current average of the S&P500 Index.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 87.51
Fwd PE 69.32
USM Price Earnings VS Forward Price EarningsUSM Price Earnings VS Forward Price Earnings ChartPrice Earnings - Forward Price Earnings PE FPE 20 40 60 80

4.2 Price Multiples

  • Compared to the rest of the industry, the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio of USM indicates a slightly more expensive valuation: USM is more expensive than 63.64% of the companies listed in the same industry.
  • 63.64% of the companies in the same industry are cheaper than USM, based on the Price/Free Cash Flow ratio.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF 18.54
EV/EBITDA 11.58
USM Per share dataUSM EPS, Sales, OCF, FCF, BookValue per sharePer Share Data Per Share 10 20 30 40 50

4.3 Compensation for Growth

  • The high PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates an expensive valuation of the company.
  • A more expensive valuation may be justified as USM's earnings are expected to grow with 21.15% in the coming years.
PEG (NY)5.49
PEG (5Y)N/A
EPS Next 2Y25.09%
EPS Next 3Y21.15%

4

5. Dividend

5.1 Amount

  • With a Yearly Dividend Yield of 7.49%, USM is a good candidate for dividend investing.
  • Compared to an average industry Dividend Yield of 6.51, USM pays a better dividend. On top of this USM pays more dividend than 81.82% of the companies listed in the same industry.
  • USM's Dividend Yield is rather good when compared to the S&P500 average which is at 1.79.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 7.49%

5.2 History

  • USM does not have a reliable dividend history as it only pays dividend since a couple or years.
Dividend Growth(5Y)N/A
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
USM Yearly Dividends per shareUSM Yearly Dividends per shareYearly Dividends per share 2025 5 10 15 20

5.3 Sustainability

DP0%
EPS Next 2Y25.09%
EPS Next 3Y21.15%
USM Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendUSM Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendYearly Income VS Free CF VS Dividend 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 -500M -1B

US CELLULAR CORP

NYSE:USM (8/11/2025, 8:07:46 PM)

After market: 77.9 +0.89 (+1.16%)

77.01

+2.76 (+3.72%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS IndustryGroupTelecommunication Services
GICS IndustryWireless Telecommunication Services
Earnings (Last)08-11
Earnings (Next)10-30
Inst OwnersN/A
Inst Owner Change-1.26%
Ins OwnersN/A
Ins Owner Change-14.7%
Market Cap6.55B
Revenue(TTM)3.77B
Net Income(TTM)-39.00M
Analysts75.56
Price Target76.61 (-0.52%)
Short Float %N/A
Short RatioN/A
Dividend
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 7.49%
Yearly DividendN/A
Dividend Growth(5Y)N/A
DP0%
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
Ex-DateN/A
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)1
Avg EPS beat(2)76.69%
Min EPS beat(2)-39.44%
Max EPS beat(2)192.83%
EPS beat(4)3
Avg EPS beat(4)73.51%
Min EPS beat(4)-39.44%
Max EPS beat(4)192.83%
EPS beat(8)5
Avg EPS beat(8)113.75%
EPS beat(12)6
Avg EPS beat(12)56.53%
EPS beat(16)8
Avg EPS beat(16)47.35%
Revenue beat(2)0
Avg Revenue beat(2)-2.98%
Min Revenue beat(2)-5.4%
Max Revenue beat(2)-0.57%
Revenue beat(4)0
Avg Revenue beat(4)-2.4%
Min Revenue beat(4)-5.4%
Max Revenue beat(4)-0.57%
Revenue beat(8)1
Avg Revenue beat(8)-2.52%
Revenue beat(12)3
Avg Revenue beat(12)-2.02%
Revenue beat(16)3
Avg Revenue beat(16)-2.08%
PT rev (1m)2.74%
PT rev (3m)1.35%
EPS NQ rev (1m)0%
EPS NQ rev (3m)0%
EPS NY rev (1m)0%
EPS NY rev (3m)0%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)0.26%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0%
Revenue NY rev (3m)0.08%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 87.51
Fwd PE 69.32
P/S 1.76
P/FCF 18.54
P/OCF 7.79
P/B 1.43
P/tB 1636.46
EV/EBITDA 11.58
EPS(TTM)0.88
EY1.14%
EPS(NY)1.11
Fwd EY1.44%
FCF(TTM)4.15
FCFY5.39%
OCF(TTM)9.88
OCFY12.83%
SpS43.66
BVpS53.94
TBVpS0.05
PEG (NY)5.49
PEG (5Y)N/A
Graham NumberN/A
Profitability
Industry RankSector Rank
ROA -0.38%
ROE -0.85%
ROCE 1.39%
ROIC 1.1%
ROICexc 1.12%
ROICexgc 2.19%
OM 3.58%
PM (TTM) N/A
GM 57.26%
FCFM 9.51%
ROA(3y)0.13%
ROA(5y)0.85%
ROE(3y)0.32%
ROE(5y)1.91%
ROIC(3y)1.05%
ROIC(5y)1.3%
ROICexc(3y)1.07%
ROICexc(5y)1.37%
ROICexgc(3y)2.08%
ROICexgc(5y)2.45%
ROCE(3y)1.33%
ROCE(5y)1.64%
ROICexgc growth 3Y-6.62%
ROICexgc growth 5Y1.42%
ROICexc growth 3Y-9.23%
ROICexc growth 5Y-3.33%
OM growth 3Y-6.02%
OM growth 5Y3.54%
PM growth 3YN/A
PM growth 5YN/A
GM growth 3Y1.86%
GM growth 5Y0.4%
F-Score5
Asset Turnover0.36
Health
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 0.62
Debt/FCF 8.09
Debt/EBITDA 3.55
Cap/Depr 73.45%
Cap/Sales 13.12%
Interest Coverage 250
Cash Conversion 105.53%
Profit Quality N/A
Current Ratio 1.7
Quick Ratio 1.48
Altman-Z 1.53
F-Score5
WACC7.62%
ROIC/WACC0.14
Cap/Depr(3y)121.94%
Cap/Depr(5y)166.9%
Cap/Sales(3y)20.71%
Cap/Sales(5y)28.01%
Profit Quality(3y)N/A
Profit Quality(5y)N/A
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)7.32%
EPS 3Y-26.25%
EPS 5Y-13.19%
EPS Q2Q%80%
EPS Next Y15.94%
EPS Next 2Y25.09%
EPS Next 3Y21.15%
EPS Next 5Y0.2%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)-3.48%
Revenue growth 3Y-2.93%
Revenue growth 5Y-1.29%
Sales Q2Q%-1.19%
Revenue Next Year-2.84%
Revenue Next 2Y-1.42%
Revenue Next 3Y-1.07%
Revenue Next 5Y-42.63%
EBIT growth 1Y-23.56%
EBIT growth 3Y-8.78%
EBIT growth 5Y2.21%
EBIT Next Year20168.2%
EBIT Next 3Y476.6%
EBIT Next 5Y95.74%
FCF growth 1Y406.96%
FCF growth 3YN/A
FCF growth 5YN/A
OCF growth 1Y49.47%
OCF growth 3Y3.26%
OCF growth 5Y4.05%

US CELLULAR CORP / USM FAQ

What is the fundamental rating for USM stock?

ChartMill assigns a fundamental rating of 3 / 10 to USM.


What is the valuation status for USM stock?

ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 1 / 10 to US CELLULAR CORP (USM). This can be considered as Overvalued.


How profitable is US CELLULAR CORP (USM) stock?

US CELLULAR CORP (USM) has a profitability rating of 4 / 10.


What is the expected EPS growth for US CELLULAR CORP (USM) stock?

The Earnings per Share (EPS) of US CELLULAR CORP (USM) is expected to grow by 15.94% in the next year.


How sustainable is the dividend of US CELLULAR CORP (USM) stock?

The dividend rating of US CELLULAR CORP (USM) is 4 / 10 and the dividend payout ratio is 0%.