PLDT (NYSE:PHI) Stock Rating Lowered by Zacks Research

PLDT (NYSE:PHI) was downgraded by research analysts at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,Zacks.com reports.

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of PLDT in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, PLDT presently has a consensus rating of “Reduce”.

PLDT Price Performance

Shares of PHI opened at $18.89 on Thursday. PLDT has a twelve month low of $18.61 and a twelve month high of $24.51. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $20.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is $21.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.08 billion, a PE ratio of 7.87 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a current ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.10.

PLDT (NYSE:PHI) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 15th. The technology company reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.67 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $932.80 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $913.27 million. PLDT had a return on equity of 27.37% and a net margin of 13.62%. Research analysts anticipate that PLDT will post 2.58 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at PLDT

In other PLDT news, Director Alfredo Santos Panlilio sold 4,505 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.64, for a total transaction of $101,993.20. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 3,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $67,920. The trade was a 60.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.73% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of PLDT

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. CWM LLC boosted its position in PLDT by 22.1% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,590 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 469 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC boosted its position in PLDT by 8.7% during the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 7,472 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $162,000 after purchasing an additional 597 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in PLDT by 6.8% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 13,514 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $253,000 after purchasing an additional 862 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its position in PLDT by 272.1% during the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,306 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 955 shares during the period. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC purchased a new stake in PLDT during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. 2.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.