T-Mobile Deal And Tower Agreements Will Drive Digital Infrastructure Transition

Key Takeaways

• The T-Mobile transaction and fiber program expansion could enhance earnings and drive future revenue growth through debt reduction and increased internet penetration.
  
• Cost optimization and tower revenue growth suggest potential for improved net margins and sustainable revenue from increased wireless demand.
  
• Dependence on a large transaction with regulatory hurdles introduces financial risks and uncertainty in UScellular's revenue, profitability, and strategic plans.

Catalysts

Provides wireless telecommunications services in the United States.

• The anticipated mid-2025 closing of the transaction with T-Mobile, subject to regulatory approval, is expected to provide UScellular with significant proceeds, which could impact earnings positively by paying down debt and potentially declaring special dividends.
  
• The expansion of UScellular's fiber program, having already expanded its footprint by 30% in the last three years, presents opportunities for future revenue growth as more addresses are delivered and internet penetration increases.
  
• Increased third-party tower revenue, which grew by 6% in the quarter, shows strong potential for sustainable revenue growth from the tower business, especially with ongoing demand for capacity from the wireless industry.
  
• Focus on cost optimization, which resulted in operating expenses remaining flat and a reduction in capital expenditures, suggests a future increase in net margins as the company continues to operate efficiently.
  
• The transformation program identified $100 million in annual cost savings expected by year-end 2028, likely improving operating margins as these savings are realized over time.

United States Cellular Future Earnings and Revenue Growth

Assumptions

• Analysts are assuming United States Cellular's revenue will decrease by 0.8% annually over the next 3 years.
• Analysts assume that profit margins will increase from -1.1% today to 4.8% in 3 years time.
• Analysts expect earnings to reach $173.7 million (and earnings per share of $1.24) by about August 2028, up from $-39.0 million today.
• In order for the above numbers to justify the analysts price target, the company would need to trade at a PE ratio of 46.4x on those 2028 earnings, up from -161.4x today. This future PE is greater than the current PE for the US Wireless Telecom industry at 22.0x.
• Analysts expect the number of shares outstanding to decline by 1.16% per year for the next 3 years.
• To value all of this in today's terms, we will use a discount rate of 6.78%, as per the Simply Wall St company report.

United States Cellular Future Earnings Per Share Growth

Risks

• The transaction with T-Mobile, while seen as beneficial for UScellular's business and customers, is subject to regulatory approval, which introduces uncertainty and may impact the timing and realization of expected proceeds. This could affect anticipated future revenues and cash flows.
  
• UScellular faces ongoing competitive pressure from larger carriers offering aggressive pricing and promotions, which has led to negative net additions and pressure on service revenues, impacting their operating margins and profitability.
  
• The expected benefits from the proposed transaction may not fully materialize if employee retention or integration challenges occur, leading to potentially higher-than-expected severance and transition costs, which would impact net earnings.
  
• The reliance on a single large transaction for a substantial part of UScellular’s strategic realignment could expose the company to significant financial risk if any part of the transaction fails or is delayed, affecting planned capital structure and debt repayment strategies.
  
• Existing challenges in regulatory approvals for spectrum transactions that are tied to the T-Mobile deal may delay anticipated proceeds and add uncertainty, potentially impacting cash flows and the ability to declare special dividends or reinvest in operations.

Valuation

• The analysts have a consensus price target of $80.75 for United States Cellular based on their expectations of its future earnings growth, profit margins and other risk factors. However, there is a degree of disagreement amongst analysts, with the most bullish reporting a price target of $85.0, and the most bearish reporting a price target of just $72.0.
• In order for you to agree with the analyst's consensus, you'd need to believe that by 2028, revenues will be $3.6 billion, earnings will come to $173.7 million, and it would be trading on a PE ratio of 46.4x, assuming you use a discount rate of 6.8%.
• Given the current share price of $73.97, the analyst price target of $80.75 is 8.4% higher. The relatively low difference between the current share price and the analyst consensus price target indicates that they believe on average, the company is fairly priced.
• We always encourage you to reach your own conclusions though. So sense check these analyst numbers against your own assumptions and expectations based on your understanding of the business and what you believe is probable.