PLDT Inc. (NYSE:PHI) Short Interest Update

Key Points

• PLDT Inc. experienced a **28.0% increase in short interest**, reaching a total of 282,300 shares as of July 31st, indicating growing bearish sentiment among investors.
• The company announced a **semi-annual dividend increase** to $0.8414 per share, which will be distributed on September 24th, highlighting its commitment to returning value to shareholders.
• Analysts currently rate PLDT stock as a **"Sell"**, with Zacks Research recently changing their rating to **"strong sell"**, reflecting concerns about the company's performance.

PLDT Inc. (NYSE:PHI - Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 282,300 shares, anincreaseof28.0% from the July 15th total of 220,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 67,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.2 days. Currently,0.1% of the company's stock are short sold. Currently,0.1% of the company's stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 67,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.2 days.

PLDT Stock Performance

PHI traded down $0.44 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $22.60. The stock had a trading volume of 211,863 shares, compared to its average volume of 64,982. The firm has a market cap of $4.88 billion, a PE ratio of 8.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.71. PLDT has a 12 month low of $20.29 and a 12 month 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 50 day simple moving average of $22.42 and a 200-day simple moving average of $22.78.

PLDT Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 24th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 27th will be given a $0.8414 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 27th. This represents a yield of 530.0%. This is a positive change from PLDT's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.81. PLDT's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.95%.

Institutional Trading of PLDT

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in PLDT by 49.4% in the 4th quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 4,396 shares of the technology company's stock worth $97,000 after purchasing an additional 1,453 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp grew its position in PLDT by 1,189.5% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 138,992 shares of the technology company's stock worth $3,079,000 after purchasing an additional 128,213 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in PLDT by 3,217.4% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 48,136 shares of the technology company's stock worth $1,053,000 after purchasing an additional 46,685 shares during the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. grew its position in PLDT by 14.8% in the 1st quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 120,974 shares of the technology company's stock worth $2,646,000 after purchasing an additional 15,610 shares during the last quarter. Finally, 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 during the last quarter. 2.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

PHI has been the topic of several analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of PLDT from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, June 6th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of PLDT to a "strong sell" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Sell".

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.