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What: Shares of Telephone & Data Systems (TDS 0.24%) have dropped today by as much as 15% after the company reported earnings.
So what: Total operating revenue came in at $1.37 billion, a modest increase of 3%. Earnings per share of $0.27 fell far short of the $0.43 per share that investors were expecting. CEO LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. said profitability was hurt by increasing smartphone subsidies, declining regulatory support and investment spending.
Now what: The company's U.S. Cellular business unit also announced that it was selling spectrum and customers to Spring Nextel (S +0.00%). TDS also narrowed its guidance ranges and now expects U.S. Cellular service revenue in the range of $4.07 billion to $4.13 billion. Telecom operating revenue should be in the ballpark of $850 million to $860 million.
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