Telephone and Data Systems Declares Q1 2026 Dividends
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 20 2026
0mins
Should l Buy TDS?
Source: PRnewswire
- Dividend Declaration: The board of Telephone and Data Systems has announced dividends for Q1 2026 on its Common Shares, Series A Common Shares, Series UU Preferred Shares, and Series VV Preferred Shares, reflecting the company's commitment to shareholder returns.
- Ticker Symbols: The ticker for Common Shares is 'TDS', for Series UU depositary shares is 'TDSPrU', and for Series VV depositary shares is 'TDSPrV', providing clear identifiers for investors to facilitate trading and investment decisions.
- Company Background: Founded in 1969, Telephone and Data Systems focuses on broadband services and wireless infrastructure through its subsidiaries TDS Telecom and Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc., demonstrating its solid position in the telecommunications industry.
- Investor Information: The company offers comprehensive financial information, including earnings releases, quarterly and annual filings, and shareholder information, further enhancing transparency and investor confidence.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy TDS?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on TDS
Wall Street analysts forecast TDS stock price to rise
2 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 42.760
Low
51.00
Averages
51.00
High
51.00
Current: 42.760
Low
51.00
Averages
51.00
High
51.00
About TDS
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. is a diversified telecommunications company. The Company provides broadband, video and voice through its TDS Telecom. The Company’s segment includes Array, TDS Telecom, and Other. Its Array business connects America through digital infrastructure by leasing tower space to tenants and providing ancillary services. It also holds non-controlling interests in primarily wireless operating companies and holds certain wireless spectrum licenses. Its TDS Telecom business provides residential Internet, video, mobile, and voice services primarily through monthly subscription arrangements. Its Other business segment includes its wholly owned subsidiary Suttle-Straus, Inc. The Company, through its subsidiary TDS Telecommunications LLC, delivers high-speed Internet, television entertainment, and phone services to a mix of small to mid-sized urban, suburban and rural communities throughout the United States.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Shareholder Meeting Schedule: Array will hold its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Central Time, while TDS is set for May 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, aimed at enhancing communication and transparency with shareholders.
- Live Webcast Format: Both meetings will be webcast live, allowing investors to listen in via their respective investor pages, ensuring shareholders can participate in real-time and receive the latest updates.
- Registration Recommendation: Shareholders are advised to register at least 15 minutes before the meetings to download and install any necessary multimedia streaming software, thereby ensuring a smooth participation experience.
- Company Background Information: TDS provides broadband, video, voice, and wireless services, while Array owns 4,452 cell towers supporting 5G deployment across the U.S., showcasing the strong collaboration between the two companies in the wireless communications infrastructure sector.
See More
- Shareholder Meeting Schedule: Array Digital Infrastructure will hold its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Central Time, while TDS will follow with its meeting on May 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, aimed at reporting company performance and discussing future strategies.
- Live Webcast Format: Both meetings will be webcast live, allowing investors to listen in via their respective investor pages, ensuring real-time participation and access to the latest information, thereby enhancing transparency and shareholder engagement.
- Registration Recommendation: Investors are advised to register at least 15 minutes before the meetings to download and install any necessary multimedia streaming software, ensuring a smooth participation experience and improving user engagement.
- Company Background Information: Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS), founded in 1969 and headquartered in Chicago, provides broadband, video, voice, and wireless services, while Array owns 4,452 cell towers supporting 5G deployment across the U.S., highlighting the significant roles both companies play in wireless communication infrastructure.
See More
- Acquisition Proposal Overview: TDS proposed an all-stock transaction to acquire the remaining Array shares at an exchange ratio of 0.86 TDS shares, assuming a $10.40 dividend per Array share, which is expected to yield approximately $900 million in net proceeds, indicating a strong intent to expand market share.
- Fiber Service Address Growth: The company delivered 40,000 marketable fiber service addresses in Q1, marking the highest total in its history and nearly tripling the delivery from Q1 2025, showcasing TDS's robust performance in fiber expansion.
- Financial Performance Analysis: Despite a 3% decline in total revenues for the quarter, fiber revenue increased by 13%, adding approximately $11 million, demonstrating ongoing growth potential in the fiber market, even amidst pressures in copper and cable sectors.
- Future Outlook and Risks: TDS expects total telecom revenues for 2026 to range between $1.015 billion and $1.055 billion, leaning towards the lower half due to headwinds in the copper and cable markets, while emphasizing regulatory approval risks associated with the T-Mobile and Verizon transactions.
See More
- Acquisition Proposal Impact: Array Digital (AD) shares surged 14% following Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) proposal to acquire all outstanding shares, indicating strong market optimism regarding the deal.
- Transaction Terms Overview: Under the proposal, each Array Digital share would be exchanged for 0.86 shares of TDS, with the board expected to pay a $10.40 per share dividend, enhancing shareholder value.
- Tax Advantages: The transaction is anticipated to qualify as a tax-free reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which may attract more investor interest in the potential benefits of the deal.
- Board Response: Array Digital confirmed receipt of the non-binding offer and established a special committee of disinterested directors to evaluate the proposal, demonstrating the company's commitment to shareholder interests.
See More
- Earnings Highlights: Telephone and Data Systems reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $1.11, with revenue reaching $309.4 million, a staggering 965.4% year-over-year increase, although it fell short of expectations by $3.88 million.
- Spectrum License Transaction: On January 13, 2026, Array completed the sale of certain 3.45 GHz and 700 MHz wireless spectrum licenses for $1.018 billion, resulting in a book gain of $150.9 million ($114.7 million net of tax expense) in Q1, showcasing effective spectrum asset management.
- Market Reaction: Despite Telephone and Data Systems missing revenue expectations, Verizon's shares rose due to its Q1 performance exceeding forecasts, further solidifying its position among top-rated telecom companies, indicating overall market confidence in the telecom sector.
- Historical Performance Context: Historical earnings data for Telephone and Data Systems provides context for analyzing performance fluctuations, and while this quarter showed strong results, attention must be paid to future performance trends and competitive dynamics.
See More
- Financial Performance Growth: TDS reported first-quarter 2026 operating revenues of $309.5 million, a 7% increase from $290.4 million in the same period last year, indicating strong market performance that is expected to enhance shareholder value further.
- Fiber Service Expansion: TDS Telecom expanded its marketable fiber service footprint to 1.1 million addresses, with the acquisition of Granite State Communications adding approximately 11,000 additional fiber service addresses, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the fiber market.
- Array Business Optimization: Array achieved operating revenues of $52.0 million in the first quarter, a 93% increase year-over-year, demonstrating significant success in its operational optimization strategy, which is expected to enhance market share and profitability.
- Acquisition Proposal Progress: TDS submitted a proposal to the Array Board to acquire all outstanding Array common shares not owned by TDS, with an independent committee evaluating the proposal, which could reshape the strategic direction of both companies if successful.
See More









