PLDT Inc. (NYSE:PHI) Short Interest Down 13.8% in February

PLDT Inc. (NYSE:PHI) saw a large drop in short interest in February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 202,274 shares, a drop 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.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On PLDT

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of PHI. CWM LLC grew its stake in PLDT by 22.1% in the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,590 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $56,000 after buying an additional 469 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC raised its stake in PLDT by 8.7% in the fourth quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 7,472 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $162,000 after purchasing an additional 597 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 862 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its stake in PLDT by 272.1% during the fourth 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 last quarter. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC bought a new stake in shares of PLDT during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. 2.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

PLDT Trading Up 0.5%

PHI stock traded up $0.12 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $21.55. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 132,338 shares, compared to its average volume of 63,574. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $22.95 and its 200 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 posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 26th. The technology company reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $905.99 million during the quarter. PLDT had a net margin of 13.40% and a return on equity of 28.27%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that PLDT will post 2.76 EPS for the current year.

PLDT Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of PLDT in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold”.

About PLDT

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.