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) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 282,300 shares, agrowthof28.0% from the July 15th total of 220,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 67,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.2 days. Approximately0.1% of the company's shares are short sold. Approximately0.1% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 67,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.2 days.

Institutional Trading of PLDT

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of PLDT by 51.7% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,201 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 750 shares in the last quarter. MAI Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of PLDT in the second quarter valued at $65,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of PLDT by 155.1% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,069 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $67,000 after acquiring an additional 1,866 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its holdings in PLDT by 759.7% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,774 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $82,000 after buying an additional 3,335 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its holdings in PLDT by 49.4% in the fourth quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 4,396 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $97,000 after buying an additional 1,453 shares during the last quarter. 2.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

PLDT Stock Up 0.3%

NYSE:PHI opened at $22.5910 on Thursday. PLDT has a 52 week low of $20.29 and a 52 week high of $29.05. The stock's fifty day moving average is $22.33 and its two-hundred day moving average is $22.79. The company has a quick ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.71.

PLDT Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 24th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 27th will be paid a $0.8414 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 27th. This is an increase from PLDT's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.81. This represents a dividend yield of 530.0%. PLDT's payout ratio is 45.95%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently commented on PHI. Zacks Research upgraded PLDT to a "strong sell" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Wall Street Zen cut PLDT from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, June 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Sell".

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.

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