Telefónica (NYSE:TEF) Cut to “Hold” at StockNews.com

StockNews.com downgraded shares of Telefónica (NYSE:TEF) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning.

A number of other research firms have also issued reports on TEF. HSBC raised shares of Telefónica from a “reduce” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of Telefónica to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold”.

Telefónica Stock Performance

Shares of Telefónica stock opened at $4.55 on Wednesday. Telefónica has a 12 month low of $3.82 and a 12 month high of $4.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.33. The stock has a market cap of $25.80 billion, a PE ratio of -17.50 and a beta of 0.66. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $4.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of $4.55.

Telefónica Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 18th will be paid a dividend of $0.1576 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 5.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 18th. Telefónica’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -88.46%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Telefónica

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TEF. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Telefónica by 171.6% in the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,682 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 3,590 shares during the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Telefónica in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Telefónica in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Abel Hall LLC bought a new stake in Telefónica during the third quarter worth approximately $53,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in Telefónica by 92.3% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 16,039 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $78,000 after purchasing an additional 7,697 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 1.14% of the company’s stock.

Telefónica Company Profile

Telefónica, SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services in Europe and Latin America. The company offers mobile and related services and products, such as mobile voice, value added, mobile data and internet, wholesale, corporate, roaming, fixed wireless, and trunking and paging services.