Vident Advisory LLC Buys 20,132 Shares of PLDT Inc. $PHI

Key Points

• Vident Advisory LLC increased its stake in PLDT Inc. by 47.0%, holding a total of 63,008 shares valued at approximately $1.38 million as of the latest SEC filing.
• PLDT recently announced a semi-annual dividend increase to $0.8414, up from $0.81, with a dividend yield of 530.0%.
• Analysts have downgraded PLDT's stock, with Wall Street Zen and UBS Group lowering their ratings to “hold” and “neutral,” respectively, reflecting a consensus recommendation of “Reduce.”

Vident Advisory LLC boosted its position in PLDT Inc. (NYSE:PHI - Free Report) by 47.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 63,008 shares of the technology company's stock after purchasing an additional 20,132 shares during the period. Vident Advisory LLC's holdings in PLDT were worth $1,378,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in PLDT by 9.5% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 120,757 shares of the technology company's stock worth $2,641,000 after purchasing an additional 10,505 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in PLDT by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 13,279 shares of the technology company's stock worth $290,000 after purchasing an additional 437 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE grew its position in PLDT by 12.8% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 20,140 shares of the technology company's stock worth $440,000 after purchasing an additional 2,279 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC bought a new stake in PLDT in the 1st quarter worth about $235,000. Finally, West Family Investments Inc. grew its position in PLDT by 15.3% in the 1st quarter. West Family Investments Inc. now owns 14,242 shares of the technology company's stock worth $311,000 after purchasing an additional 1,890 shares in the last quarter. 2.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

PLDT Stock Performance

Shares of PHI stock traded down $0.02 during trading on Monday, reaching $19.47. 17,956 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 73,352. PLDT Inc. has a 1 year low of $19.22 and a 1 year high of $27.93. The company has a current ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16. The company has a market capitalization of $4.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.52, a PEG ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 0.66. The firm's 50-day moving average is $22.19 and its 200 day moving average is $22.59.

PLDT Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 24th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 27th will be paid a $0.8414 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 27th. This represents a yield of 530.0%. This is a boost from PLDT's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.81. PLDT's dividend payout ratio is currently 47.10%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of PLDT to a "strong sell" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of PLDT from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, June 6th. Finally, UBS Group cut shares of PLDT from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, PLDT has an average rating of "Reduce".

PLDT Company Profile

PLDT Inc provides telecommunications and digital services in the Philippines. The company operates through three segments: Wireless, Fixed Line, and Others. It offers cellular mobile, Internet broadband distribution, operations support, software development, and satellite information and messaging services; and sells Wi-Fi access equipment.