Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS)
NYSE NYSE Primary 
Compared to Estimates, TDS (TDS) Q1 Earnings: A Look at Key Metrics
While the top- and bottom-line numbers for TDS (TDS) give a sense of how the business performed in the quarter ended March 2026, it could be worth looking at how some of its key metrics compare to Wall Street estimates and year-ago values.
Insights Into TDS (TDS) Q1: Wall Street Projections for Key Metrics
Besides Wall Street's top-and-bottom-line estimates for TDS (TDS), review projections for some of its key metrics to gain a deeper understanding of how the company might have fared during the quarter ended March 2026.
Telephone And Data Systems: Preferreds Remain The Best Income Play Post Deleveraging
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. has significantly deleveraged by monetizing mobile assets, notably through US Cellular and spectrum sales. TDS.PR.U Preferred shares, yielding close to 8%, remain the most attractive income play versus the common stock's 0.35% yield. With net debt projected below $600 million by Q1 2026 and stable wireline/tower operations, TDS boasts a strong balance sheet and financial flexibility.
Telecom Stock Up 25% Over the Past Year Draws $21 Million Bet From Hedge Fund
Kerrisdale Advisers bought 506,067 shares of TDS in the fourth quarter. The fund's quarter-end stake in TDS increased by $20.75 million as a result of the new purchase.
Telephone and Data Systems Preferreds: Tax-Advantaged Yield, Discount To Redemption Value, And Rate Optionality
Telephone & Data Systems, VV series preference shares offer a 7.41% yield, trading at a 20% discount to par, with an improved risk profile post-asset sale. TDS preferreds remain attractive for fixed-income portfolios, particularly as a duration play if interest rates decline or credit spreads compress further. Potential for capital gains exists if TDS redeems the preferreds or if market reprices risk, but upside is capped near the $25 call price.
TDS Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates on Strong Revenue Growth
TDS tops Q4 estimates as revenues climb to $330.7M on Array strength, while earnings surge and cash flow improves in 2025.
The New Telephone and Data Systems
Telecom and Data Systems is now a focused fiber and tower platform post-US Cellular sale, with a clean balance sheet and disciplined capital allocation. TDS Telecom is accelerating fiber builds in underserved Tier-2/3 markets and leveraging FCC E-ACAM subsidies to convert rural copper to high-penetration fiber. Array Digital is transforming into a standalone tower business, with tenancy and margin expansion, and $1.8B in special dividends imminent from spectrum monetization.
TDS takes another swing at shorting silver, looking for a drop to $40 in the next three months
Neils Christensen has a diploma in journalism from Lethbridge College and has more than a decade of reporting experience working for news organizations throughout Canada. His experiences include covering territorial and federal politics in Nunavut, Canada.
Telephone and Data Systems: Pending Spectrum Sales Set To Drive Further Deleveraging
Telephone and Data Systems is set to generate $2.2 billion from pending sales of its spectrum assets through 2026. This should support a $500 million share buyback program and further bolster a balance sheet that had net cash of $105 million at the end of its recent third quarter. The Series UU preferreds offer a current yield of 7.76% and are trading at a 15% discount to their liquidation value. These should recover if long-term Treasury rates dip.
Telephone And Data Systems Preferreds Offer Highest Investment Grade Yield
Telephone and Data Systems' tickers TDS-U (TDS.PR.U) and TDS-V (TDS.PR.V) have, by far, the highest “qualified dividend” yield of any preferred stock in the market from an investment grade company. TDS carries a huge amount of cash on its balance sheet, many times more than its debt, so the preferred stocks are ultra safe. For U.S. investors, the TDS preferred's high “qualified dividends” generate a very high after-tax yield comparable to a 10.2% bond for those in the higher tax brackets.
The Preferred Stock Of Telephone And Data Systems Is More Attractive Than Ever
Telephone and Data Systems preferred stock offers a 7.9% yield, now safer after major debt reduction and asset sales. TDS's balance sheet has strengthened, with net debt dropping from $6.6 billion to $2.2 billion, supporting dividend safety and share repurchases. Interest rate cuts by the Fed create a favorable environment for TDS preferred shares, though inflation remains a risk to watch.
TDS Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates on Solid Fiber Connection Growth
TDS' Q3 earnings beat forecasts as fiber expansion and tower rental growth offset revenue declines from divestitures.
