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 raised its stake in PLDT Inc. (NYSE:PHI - Free Report) by 47.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in PLDT by 9.5% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 120,757 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $2,641,000 after purchasing an additional 10,505 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of PLDT by 3.4% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 13,279 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $290,000 after buying an additional 437 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE lifted its stake in shares of PLDT by 12.8% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 20,140 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $440,000 after buying an additional 2,279 shares in the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of PLDT in the first quarter valued at $235,000. Finally, West Family Investments Inc. lifted its stake in shares of PLDT by 15.3% in the first quarter. West Family Investments Inc. now owns 14,242 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $311,000 after buying an additional 1,890 shares in the last quarter. 2.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

PLDT Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of PHI stock traded down $0.13 on Friday, hitting $19.52. The stock had a trading volume of 129,277 shares, compared to its average volume of 102,481. The business has a 50 day moving average of $22.19 and a 200 day moving average of $22.60. The stock has a market cap of $4.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16, a current ratio of 0.37 and a quick ratio of 0.35. PLDT Inc. has a 12-month low of $19.22 and a 12-month high of $27.93.

PLDT Increases Dividend

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

About PLDT

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.