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On Monday, UBS analyst John Te upgraded shares of PLDT (NYSE:PHI) Inc. (TEL:PM) (NYSE: PHI) from Neutral to Buy, maintaining a price target of PHP1,500.00. Te highlighted that despite the telecommunications sector experiencing subdued spending, which has led to PLDT’s year-to-date share price remaining relatively unchanged, there are positive operational developments within the company. These include gains in mobile market share and an increase in postpaid broadband subscriptions. InvestingPro data shows PLDT’s impressive 72.4% gross profit margin and attractive P/E ratio of 8.5x, suggesting strong operational efficiency.
PLDT’s attractive dividend yield, which stands at 5.3% according to InvestingPro, is noted to be appealing to local investors looking for defensive investment options. The company has maintained dividend payments for 21 consecutive years, with a low beta of 0.57 confirming its defensive nature. The yield’s gap over the 10-year bond has expanded to 2%, further underscoring its attractiveness in a defensive strategy.
Te also pointed out that while not factored into the current base case, the potential for easing inflation in the second half of the year could pose an upside risk for PLDT. If lower inflation leads to increased revenue, it could further benefit the company’s stock performance.
The unchanged price target of PHP1,500.00 suggests that UBS sees the stock maintaining its value proposition for investors. Te’s comments reflect a recognition of PLDT’s robust operational improvements and its position in a market that is currently facing broader economic challenges.
Investors may find PLDT’s high dividend yield particularly enticing in an environment where traditional bonds offer lower returns. The company’s performance in the mobile market and broadband services appears to be driving positive sentiment, despite the overall softness in telco spending. According to InvestingPro analysis, PLDT is currently trading below its Fair Value, with 8 additional ProTips and comprehensive financial metrics available to subscribers through the platform’s detailed Pro Research Report.
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