Tds outlines plans for $1.8M fiber expansion target in 2025
Management Insights: TDS is progressing on its 2025 priorities, including a significant T-Mobile transaction expected to close mid-2025, with plans for special dividends and debt reduction. The company aims to expand fiber service addresses significantly while maintaining liquidity through strategic financial management.
Financial Performance and Outlook: UScellular reported an increase in free cash flow, while TDS Telecom experienced a decline in operating revenues due to divestitures. Analysts remain cautiously optimistic about the company's future, focusing on regulatory approvals and competitive pressures in the wireless segment.
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- Dividend Yield Expectation: Based on historical dividend data, Telephone & Data Systems Inc. (TDS) currently has an annualized dividend yield of 0.4%, indicating that the sustainability of dividends should be cautiously assessed amid profitability fluctuations.
- Volatility Analysis: TDS's trailing twelve-month trading volatility stands at 35%, and with the current stock price at $43.91, investors must weigh the risk-reward balance of selling covered calls at the $50 strike price.
- Options Market Dynamics: As of Wednesday afternoon, the put volume among S&P 500 components reached 858,771 contracts, while call volume hit 1.86 million contracts, indicating a preference for calls among investors and reflecting optimistic market sentiment.
- Options Trading Trends: The current put-call ratio of 0.46 is significantly lower than the long-term median of 0.65, suggesting an increased market expectation for future price increases, which may influence TDS's stock price trajectory.
Dividend Declaration: Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS) has declared fourth quarter 2025 dividends for its Common Shares, Series A Common Shares, Series UU Preferred Shares, and Series VV Preferred Shares, payable on December 30, 2025.
Dividend Details: The quarterly dividend amounts include $0.04 per Common and Series A Common Share, $414.0625 per Series UU Preferred share, and $375.0000 per Series VV Preferred share, with record dates set for December 15, 2025.
Company Overview: TDS, founded in 1969, provides broadband services and wireless infrastructure through its subsidiaries, TDS Telecom and Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc.
Investor Resources: Comprehensive financial information and updates can be accessed through TDS's investor website, including earnings releases and shareholder information.

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Telephone and Data Systems Inc. Rating Update: Telephone and Data Systems Inc. (TDS), a mid-cap growth stock in the Communications Services industry, had its rating rise from 50% to 70%, reflecting improved fundamentals and valuation, though it remains below the strong interest threshold.
Company Overview of Telephone and Data Systems Inc.: Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. offers broadband, video, and voice services through its TDS Telecom business and operates in the wireless sector through its Array business, serving various communities across the U.S.
Third-Quarter Financial Results: Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. reported earnings per share of 33 cents and an operating revenue of $308.52 million, but faced an operating loss of $67.97 million for the quarter.
Share Repurchase Program: The company repurchased over one million common shares for $40.7 million and authorized a new $500 million share repurchase program.
Segment Performance: TDS Telecom's revenue decreased by 3% year-over-year to $255.11 million, while Array's revenue surged by 83% to $47.12 million, aided by the sale of wireless operations to T-Mobile.
Leadership Changes: Anthony Carlson will become the President and CEO of Array Digital Infrastructure on November 16, 2025, succeeding Doug Chambers, who will remain as Senior Advisor during the transition.

Management Updates: TDS's CEO Walter C.D. Carlson highlighted the successful transition of Array Digital Infrastructure into an independent company and announced the appointment of Anthony Carlson as its new CEO. TDS Telecom achieved a milestone of 1 million fiber addresses and received a $1.6 billion special dividend from Array to support debt reduction and fiber expansion.
Capital Allocation Strategy: TDS's capital allocation plan focuses on investing in fiber, pursuing synergistic M&A opportunities, and returning capital to shareholders, with a $500 million share repurchase program announced. The company anticipates significant fiber buildouts and a pending $1 billion spectrum transaction with AT&T.
Financial Performance: TDS reported a 3% decline in total operating revenues year-over-year, primarily due to legacy market declines, but fiber growth contributed positively. Adjusted EBITDA also decreased by 3%, while capital expenditures increased, with over 80% directed towards fiber initiatives.
Risks and Concerns: Management acknowledged underperformance in sales and fiber buildout, ongoing declines in legacy markets, and potential revenue risks related to DISH Wireless. Regulatory approval delays for spectrum transactions could also impact capital allocation, highlighting the need for cautious execution moving forward.









