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PLDT, Inc. (PHI)
NYSE:PHI

PLDT (PHI) AI Stock Analysis

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PHI

PLDT

(NYSE:PHI)

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Neutral 64 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:64Neutral
Price Target:
$24.00
â–²(12.73% Upside)
Action:DowngradedDate:03/07/26
The score is driven mainly by solid underlying operating performance but constrained by leverage and historically uneven free-cash-flow consistency. Near-term technicals are weak (below key moving averages with oversold momentum), while valuation is supported by a moderate P/E and a high dividend yield. Earnings-call guidance improves the outlook via CapEx discipline and a stated deleveraging plan, though execution and financing/credit risks remain important.
Positive Factors
Fiber / Home subscriber growth
Rapid fiber net additions and record Home revenues reflect durable structural demand for fixed broadband and sticky subscription economics. Stable ARPU and low churn support recurring revenue and margin sustainability, reinforcing long-term cash generation as PLDT scales fiber penetration nationwide.
CapEx discipline and FCF recovery
Management's pivot to lower, more disciplined CapEx (guidance mid‑PHP 50B) and sustained positive free cash flow improve financial flexibility. Reduced capex intensity materially increases capacity to fund dividends and debt paydown, making cash generation prospects more predictable over coming years.
Maya fintech profitability and deposits
Maya's move to full‑year profitability and rapid deposit growth diversifies PLDT's revenue mix and creates a low‑cost funding base for lending. As fintech scale improves, it supports cross‑sell opportunities and recurring fee income, providing a structural non‑telco growth engine for the group.
Negative Factors
High leverage
Material leverage raises refinancing, interest‑rate and covenant risks and constrains strategic optionality. Even with a plan to reach ~2.0x net debt/EBITDA, elevated gross debt and interest costs mean a significant portion of cash flow must go to financing, limiting reinvestment and increasing execution sensitivity.
Data‑center monetization / take‑up risk
Low early take‑up at a major new hyperscale site delays revenue recognition and weakens near‑term asset‑monetization proceeds intended for debt reduction. If commercialization and a REIT sale underperform, expected balance‑sheet benefits and cash for deleveraging could be materially pushed out.
Credit quality as Maya scales lending
Rising NPLs and higher provisioning from expanding credit products can compress fintech earnings and require higher capital/loan‑loss reserves. As Maya scales, elevated credit risk may intermittently pressure group profitability and cash flow, making credit quality a persistent monitoring item.

PLDT (PHI) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

PLDT Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionPLDT Inc. provides telecommunications and digital services in the Philippines. It operates through three segments: Wireless, Fixed Line, and Others. The company offers cellular mobile, Internet broadband distribution, operations support, software development, and satellite information and messaging services; and sells Wi-Fi access equipment. It also provides fixed line telecommunications services; business infrastructure and solutions; intelligent data processing and implementation, and data analytics insight generation services; and information and communications infrastructure for Internet-based services, e-commerce, customer relationship management, and information technology (IT) related services. In addition, the company offers managed IT outsourcing, Internet-based purchasing, IT consulting and professional, bills printing and other related value-added, and air transportation services; distributes Filipino channels and content services; and provides full-services customer rewards and loyalty programs. Further, it engages in the sale of mobile handsets, broadband data routers, tablets, and accessories, as well as provides domestic leased lines and alternative messaging solutions, such as over-the-top services, social media, and messenger application. As of December 31, 2021, it had 71,221,952 mobile broadband subscribers; 3,619,372 fixed line subscribers; and 2.8 million broadband subscribers. The company was formerly known as Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company and changed its name to PLDT Inc. in July 2016. PLDT Inc. was incorporated in 1928 and is headquartered in Makati City, the Philippines.
How the Company Makes MoneyPLDT generates revenue primarily through its telecommunications services, which include mobile and fixed-line voice, broadband internet, and enterprise data solutions. Key revenue streams include mobile subscriptions, which account for a significant portion of its income, alongside broadband internet services that cater to the increasing demand for high-speed connectivity. Additionally, PLDT earns from enterprise services, providing customized solutions for businesses, including cloud services and data center operations. The company also has partnerships with various technology providers and content creators, enhancing its service offerings and driving additional revenue through bundled services. PLDT's strategic focus on expanding its fiber network and investing in digital innovations further supports its growth and revenue generation.

PLDT Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 26, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 30, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presented a largely positive operational and strategic picture: modest revenue growth, resilient and improving EBITDA, strong execution in Home (fiber), Enterprise/ICT momentum, and a meaningful milestone with Maya reaching profitability and rapid deposit growth. Management also highlighted disciplined CapEx, sustained free cash flow and a clear deleveraging path (CapEx guidance mid-PHP 50 billion and plans to use asset monetization/REIT proceeds to pay down debt). Key weaknesses included higher financing costs and depreciation that pressured telco core and reported income, some operational disruption from natural calamities impacting Q4 Home activity, early-stage take-up at the new hyperscale data center, and provisioning/credit-risk considerations as Maya scales lending and credit-card products. On balance, the positives (diversified growth, profitability recovery at Maya, cost control, positive free cash flow and supportive balance-sheet actions) outweigh the lowlights, though continued execution on deleveraging, data-center monetization and credit quality will be important to monitor.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Modest Top-Line Growth and Stable EBITDA
Gross service revenues reached PHP 212.2 billion, up 2% YoY (PHP 3.8 billion). Consolidated/net service revenues were PHP 196.2 billion (up 1% YoY or PHP 1.5 billion). EBITDA (excl. MRP) rose 3% YoY to PHP 111.2 billion with margin steady at 52%.
Home (Fiber) Achieved Record Revenues and Strong Subscriber Growth
Home revenues hit an all-time high of PHP 61.0 billion, up 3% YoY; fiber revenues grew 6% to PHP 59.4 billion. Fiber net adds were 392,000 in 2025 (up 98% YoY), bringing total fiber subs to 3.76 million. ARPU stable at PHP 1,447 and churn manageable at 1.82%.
Enterprise and ICT Momentum
Enterprise recorded a record PHP 48.4 billion in revenues. ICT grew 25% YoY, driven by managed IT services (+211%) and data center colocation (+15%). Q4 Enterprise revenues rose 5% QoQ, supported by contract wins and improved delivery.
Digital/Fintech Turnaround — Maya Profitability and Scale
Maya delivered PHP 1.7 billion net income for 2025 (first full-year profitability vs PHP 2.5 billion loss in 2024). Deposit balances grew ~72% YoY to ~PHP 68 billion; total loans disbursed since 2022 reached PHP 256 billion. Gross NPL ratio at 6.1% as portfolio matures.
VITRO Data Center & Pilipinas AI Progress
VITRO colocation demand up 36% with rack deployments +19%. VITRO Santa Rosa (launched Apr 2025) hosts NVIDIA GPU servers and live AI workloads; positions PLDT to service enterprise, hyperscalers and public sector AI/cloud needs.
Improved CapEx Discipline and Positive Free Cash Flow
Full-year CapEx was PHP 60.3 billion (down from PHP 78.2 billion prior year). CapEx intensity improved to 28% from 38%. Company sustained positive free cash flow through end-2025 and set 2026 CapEx guidance in the mid-PHP 50 billion range (PHP 53–57 billion).
Cost Control and Operating Efficiency
Cash operating expenses/subsidies/provisions declined to PHP 84.9 billion (down 1% YoY). Biggest savings included compensation & benefits (-6%) and selling & promotions (-9%), supporting a 1.2 billion reduction in operating costs that helped EBITDA growth.
Robust Capital & Dividend Positioning
PLDT declared total dividends of PHP 94 per share for 2025 with a final dividend of PHP 46 per share. 12-month trailing dividend yield stood at ~8%, and the company remains investment grade with stable outlooks from S&P and Moody's.
Negative Updates
Telco Core Income and Reported Income Declines
Telco core income fell 3% YoY to PHP 33.9 billion, mainly due to higher depreciation and financing costs. Reported income was PHP 30.0 billion, down 7% YoY driven by lower foreign-exchange and derivative gains.
Financing Costs and Leverage
Net debt was PHP 284.7 billion with net debt-to-EBITDA at 2.56x. Interest cover is 3.3x; interest expense rose materially (drivers: ~35% interest rate impact, ~40% loan balance, ~25% lease accretion). Target is to reach ~2.0x net debt/EBITDA over time.
Operational Disruption from Calamities Impacting Home QoQ Performance
Home was flat QoQ in Q4 due to multiple major calamities (2 earthquakes and 4 super typhoons) that disrupted installations and forced resource redeployments; PLDT reported ~293,000 PLDT-affected homes and 22 million people affected in related events.
Maya Q4 Volatility and Provisioning on New Products
Q4 decline in Maya's share of earnings was attributed to non-operating and one-time items (fair value adjustments, FX movements) and investments into new products (e.g., credit cards). Launch of credit cards led to higher provisioning versus prior periods.
Data Center New-Site Early Take-Up
VITRO Santa Rosa (36 MW total cited) had initial committed sales of ~6 MW to date (low early take-up relative to total capacity), meaning meaningful ramp remains dependent on pipeline and potential government data localization actions.
Partial Value Unlocking via Potential REIT
A potential REIT IPO under consideration would cover 8 existing data centers but exclude VITRO Santa Rosa; management indicated proceeds would primarily be used to pay down debt, implying only partial unlocking of data center value.
Reported One-Offs and FX Sensitivity
Reported income was negatively impacted by lower FX and derivative gains versus prior year, highlighting sensitivity to non-operating items and currency/market movements that reduced headline profits.
Credit Quality Watch for Maya
While Maya achieved profitability, gross NPL ratio sits at 6.1% as the portfolio matures and credit expansion continues (including new credit card and lending products), warranting monitoring of asset quality as scale increases.
Company Guidance
PLDT guided to a mid‑PHP 50 billion CapEx program for 2026 (management later cited roughly PHP 53–57 billion), with the goal of sustaining positive free cash flow and working toward a ~2.0x net debt/EBITDA (net debt was PHP 284.7 billion and net debt/EBITDA 2.56x at end‑2025; EBITDA was PHP 111.2 billion). Management reiterated plans to steadily lower CapEx intensity (improved to 28% from 38% in 2024), pursue asset monetization (including a potential data‑center REIT covering eight DCs, excluding VITRO Santa Rosa, with proceeds earmarked to pay down debt), and begin deleveraging in the back half of 2026; CEO cash‑flow math showed an illustrative free cash flow of ~PHP 32 billion (EBITDA PHP 111B less CapEx ~PHP 55B, interest ~PHP 17B, taxes ~PHP 7B), dividends of ~PHP 21–22 billion and potential debt paydown of at least PHP 10 billion in H2 2026. Additional balance‑sheet metrics to note: gross debt PHP 296.9 billion, average debt maturity 6.5 years, 49% maturities post‑2031, interest cover 3.3x, and a 33/67 split fixed vs. floating.

PLDT Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Income statement strength (steady revenue growth and generally healthy margins) is offset by balance-sheet risk (high leverage at ~2–3x debt/equity) and historically volatile free cash flow (negative in 2021–2022, improving in 2023–2025). Overall earnings power looks solid, but financial flexibility is a key constraint.
Income Statement
78
Positive
Revenue has grown steadily from 2020 to 2025, including a stronger uptick in 2025 versus the prior year. Profitability is generally strong for the sector, with healthy operating and EBITDA margins across the period and solid net profit margins in most years. The main weakness is margin volatility: gross margin stepped down sharply in 2025 versus 2023–2024, and net income dipped slightly in 2025 after peaking in 2024.
Balance Sheet
54
Neutral
The balance sheet is heavily leveraged, with debt consistently running at roughly 2–3x equity (and ~2.8x in 2025), which increases refinancing and interest-rate sensitivity. That said, equity has grown over time and returns on equity are strong (mid-20% range recently), suggesting the company has been able to generate attractive profits despite leverage. The key risk remains the high debt load relative to the equity base.
Cash Flow
63
Positive
Operating cash flow is consistently positive and improved in 2025, and free cash flow rebounded meaningfully in 2023–2025, with a particularly strong increase in 2025. However, free cash flow has been volatile (negative in 2021–2022), and free cash flow remains a relatively small portion of net income in recent years, indicating meaningful capital intensity and/or working-capital swings. Cash generation is improving, but consistency is still a watch item.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue219.17B223.30B216.83B210.95B204.36B192.19B
Gross Profit166.13B133.04B158.25B155.17B154.75B150.16B
EBITDA84.48B116.37B85.66B89.78B93.44B90.85B
Net Income29.31B30.69B32.31B26.61B10.48B26.37B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets629.56B634.51B623.27B609.52B624.16B626.33B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments10.38B12.23B11.00B17.09B25.80B33.42B
Total Debt358.29B359.04B335.62B302.34B292.01B274.24B
Total Liabilities508.06B506.49B506.54B499.13B510.20B498.86B
Stockholders Equity120.33B126.83B115.42B105.22B108.73B123.22B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow17.68B23.85B13.45B7.33B-19.35B-12.01B
Operating Cash Flow89.38B85.35B81.73B85.77B76.20B91.97B
Investing Cash Flow-68.08B-60.27B-65.70B-55.12B-33.01B-103.64B
Financing Cash Flow-22.36B-23.20B-22.33B-39.42B-42.30B-4.90B

PLDT Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price21.29
Price Trends
50DMA
22.87
Negative
100DMA
21.76
Positive
200DMA
21.40
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
<0.01
Positive
RSI
36.36
Neutral
STOCH
13.17
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For PHI, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 21.29 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 23.76, below the 50-day MA of 22.87, and below the 200-day MA of 21.40, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of <0.01 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 36.36 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 13.17 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for PHI.

PLDT Risk Analysis

PLDT disclosed 29 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. PLDT reported the most risks in the "Macro & Political" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

PLDT Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (60)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$18.65B16.1715.54%6.14%-5.21%-7.45%
72
Outperform
$5.32B10.607.60%5.57%19.02%9.26%
70
Outperform
$25.42B17.329.34%5.03%-3.16%4.70%
64
Neutral
$4.96B14.0025.20%7.78%0.59%8.86%
60
Neutral
$48.67B4.58-11.27%4.14%2.83%-41.78%
60
Neutral
$33.58B7.35-7.08%3.77%19.67%-278.51%
* Communication Services Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
PHI
PLDT
22.46
-1.18
-4.99%
TLK
PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk
19.23
5.26
37.62%
VIV
Telefonica Brasil
15.78
7.57
92.16%
TKC
Turkcell Iletisim
6.08
-0.91
-13.01%
VOD
Vodafone
14.51
5.47
60.53%

PLDT Corporate Events

PLDT Discloses Filing of 2025 Annual and Sustainability Report with Philippine Regulators
Mar 2, 2026

On February 27, 2026, PLDT Inc. reported to the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission that it had issued a press release titled “PLDT Files 2025 Annual Report with Sustainability Report on Form 17-A with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission.” The disclosure, later furnished to the U.S. SEC on Form 6-K dated March 2, 2026, was made to comply with Philippine securities disclosure rules on significant developments and underscores PLDT’s ongoing regulatory transparency toward both local and international investors.

The filings formally note that PLDT’s report was signed by Assistant Corporate Secretary Mark David P. Martinez and submitted under Section 17 of the Philippine Securities Regulation Code. By documenting the completion and filing of its 2025 annual and sustainability reporting package, PLDT signals to stakeholders that it has met key reporting obligations for the fiscal year, reinforcing its commitment to governance, compliance, and sustainability disclosure in line with market expectations.

The most recent analyst rating on (PHI) stock is a Buy with a $24.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PLDT stock, see the PHI Stock Forecast page.

PLDT Declares 2025-Based Dividends and Confirms New Enterprise Business Head
Feb 26, 2026

On February 26, 2026, PLDT disclosed that its board had declared a regular cash dividend of P46.00 per common share, payable on April 16, 2026 to shareholders of record as of March 26, 2026, funded from audited unrestricted retained earnings as of December 31, 2025. The company also approved a P2,437,500 cash dividend on its voting preferred shares for the quarter ending April 15, 2026, confirmed the appointment of Juancho Paolo L. Jerusalem as First Vice President and Head of Enterprise Strategic Business Development and Alliances, released its audited consolidated financial results for full-year 2025, and issued the notice for its 2026 annual stockholders’ meeting, underscoring ongoing capital returns to investors and a strengthened focus on enterprise growth.

The most recent analyst rating on (PHI) stock is a Buy with a $24.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PLDT stock, see the PHI Stock Forecast page.

PLDT Declares P12.15 Million Preferred Dividend, Ups Investment in Kayana Solutions
Jan 27, 2026

At a board meeting held on January 27, 2026, PLDT Inc. declared a cash dividend of P12.15 million on all outstanding shares of its Series IV Cumulative Non-Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock for the quarter ending March 15, 2026, payable on March 15, 2026 to shareholders of record as of February 10, 2026. The dividend will be funded from the company’s unaudited unrestricted retained earnings as of June 30, 2025, indicating sufficient internal resources to sustain preferred shareholder payouts, and the board also approved PLDT’s subscription to additional common shares in Kayana Solutions Inc., underscoring continued capital deployment into affiliated or strategic ventures that may support its broader digital and services portfolio.

The most recent analyst rating on (PHI) stock is a Buy with a $24.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PLDT stock, see the PHI Stock Forecast page.

PLDT Discloses Voluntary Retirement of First Vice President Andrew Atienza
Jan 23, 2026

PLDT Inc. reported to U.S. and Philippine regulators in January 2026 that First Vice President Andrew T. Atienza is separating from the company due to voluntary retirement, effective January 23, 2026. In disclosures filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange on January 22, 2026 and the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission on January 23, 2026, PLDT stated that Atienza’s departure is not expected to have any significant impact on its current or future operations, financial position or results, suggesting that the move is viewed as a routine leadership transition with limited implications for stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (PHI) stock is a Buy with a $24.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PLDT stock, see the PHI Stock Forecast page.

PLDT Announces January 2026 Exit of Two First Vice Presidents, Sees No Material Operational Impact
Dec 29, 2025

On December 29, 2025, PLDT Inc. reported to regulators in the Philippines and the United States that two First Vice Presidents, Katrina L. Abelarde and Albert Mitchell L. Locsin, will separate from the company effective January 1, 2026—Abelarde through the firm’s Manpower Reduction Program and Locsin via voluntary retirement. PLDT stated that these leadership changes are not expected to materially affect its current or future operations, financial position or results, suggesting the moves are part of routine manpower management rather than a strategic shift, and signaling limited immediate impact for shareholders and other stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (PHI) stock is a Buy with a $25.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PLDT stock, see the PHI Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Mar 07, 2026