Short Interest in PLDT Inc. (NYSE:PHI) Drops By 13.8%

PLDT Inc. (NYSE:PHI) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 202,274 shares, a decline of 13.8% from the February 12th total of 234,734 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 65,336 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.1 days. Based on an average daily volume of 65,336 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.1 days.

PLDT Price Performance

NYSE:PHI traded up $0.12 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $21.55. 132,338 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 63,574. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $22.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $21.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.32. PLDT has a twelve month low of $18.61 and a twelve month high of $24.51.

PLDT (NYSE:PHI) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 26th. The technology company reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter. PLDT had a return on equity of 28.27% and a net margin of 13.40%.The firm had revenue of $905.99 million during the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that PLDT will post 2.76 EPS for the current fiscal year.

PLDT Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.7977 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 667.0%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 25th. PLDT’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 51.48%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of PLDT in a report on Monday, December 29th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold”.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PHI. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in PLDT by 14.1% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,697,399 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $31,741,000 after buying an additional 209,385 shares in the last quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. increased its stake in shares of PLDT by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 473,536 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $10,295,000 after acquiring an additional 5,214 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG raised its holdings in shares of PLDT by 41.4% during the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 251,013 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $4,694,000 after acquiring an additional 73,439 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its position in PLDT by 20.4% during the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 181,574 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $3,951,000 after purchasing an additional 30,803 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in PLDT by 25.7% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 151,779 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $3,303,000 after purchasing an additional 31,022 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.26% of the company’s stock.

PLDT Company Profile

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) is the largest integrated telecommunications provider in the Philippines, offering a comprehensive suite of fixed?line, wireless, broadband Internet, and digital solutions to residential, enterprise, and government customers. Founded in 1928, PLDT has played a pivotal role in the development of the country’s communications infrastructure, evolving from a traditional operator of long?distance telephone lines into a diversified digital services provider.

PLDT operates two main business segments: its fixed?line and broadband operations under the PLDT brand and its wireless services through subsidiary Smart Communications.