Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of a ranking system based on earnings estimates and revisions to identify winning stocks, while also acknowledging the diverse strategies investors may adopt [1] - Value investing is highlighted as a particularly popular and successful strategy across various market conditions, utilizing established valuation metrics [2] - The Zacks Style Scores system is introduced, with a focus on the "Value" category, where stocks with "A" grades and high Zacks Ranks are considered top value stocks [3] Company Analysis: PLDT (PHI) - PLDT (PHI) is currently rated with a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and has a Value grade of A, indicating strong potential for value investors [4] - The stock's P/E ratio stands at 7.89, which is lower than the industry average of 9.04, suggesting it may be undervalued [4] - PHI's Forward P/E has fluctuated between 10.14 and 7.06 over the past year, with a median of 8.55, further supporting its valuation appeal [4] - The P/CF ratio for PHI is 3.23, which is attractive compared to the industry average of 4.12, indicating solid cash flow relative to its valuation [5] - Over the past 52 weeks, PHI's P/CF has ranged from 2.88 to 4.05, with a median of 3.37, reinforcing its undervaluation perspective [5] - Overall, the metrics suggest that PLDT is likely undervalued, and its strong earnings outlook positions it as one of the market's strongest value stocks [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - PLDT's service revenue grew by 2% year-on-year to PHP 194.7 billion, driven by Fiber Mobile data and Enterprise ICT [9] - Gross revenue rose by 3% to PHP 208.4 billion, with EBITDA expanding by 4% to PHP 108.5 billion [9][10] - EBITDA margin remained strong at 52%, indicating sustained profitability despite ongoing investments [10][19] - Telco Core income increased by 2% to PHP 35.1 billion, reflecting earnings stability [10][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Individual segment revenues rose by 2% to PHP 83.5 billion, with Mobile Data increasing by 5% year-on-year [12] - Home segment revenues reached PHP 60.7 billion, with Fiber-only revenues growing by 6% to PHP 56 billion [14] - Enterprise revenues grew by 3% to PHP 48.4 billion, with ICT services up 15% to PHP 35 billion [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Active data users reached 41.3 million, with average monthly mobile data usage per user growing by 5% [12] - PLDT's ARPU of PHP 1,488 remains above industry average, with over 75% of new activations opting for premium plans [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - PLDT is focused on expanding revenues, managing costs, and improving cash flow generation in 2025 [10] - The company aims to leverage 5G expansion and AI-driven marketing strategies to enhance customer engagement and revenue generation [13][50] - PLDT is committed to sustainability, with a goal of running data centers on at least 40% renewable energy by 2030 [72] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's resilience and steady revenue growth despite competitive pressures [36] - The company is focused on cost efficiency while ensuring CapEx is directed towards high-impact areas [36] - Management indicated that they are not yet comfortable providing specific guidance for 2025 core income but expect increases in revenues and profitability [123] Other Important Information - PLDT's net debt-to-EBITDA stands at 2.52 times, with a target to reduce it to 2.0 times in the mid-term [23] - The company retained its investment-grade ratings from S&P and Moody's, reflecting prudent debt management [25] - Maya Bank has shown significant growth, with a customer base increase of 71% year-on-year to 5.4 million [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is PLDT's stance on the Konektadong Pinoy Act? - PLDT supports the government's effort to provide open access and requests equal treatment with data transmission providers [79][81] Question: What initiatives are driving customer retention in the Home segment? - PLDT Home focuses on competitive offers, increasing speeds, and improving service quality to maintain a low churn rate of 1.7% [92] Question: How did PLDT drive higher ARPU in Q4 while peers saw a decline? - PLDT achieved higher ARPU through improved sales and marketing infrastructure and effective 5G rollout [99] Question: What is the reason for subscriber losses in prepaid during Q4? - The decline was due to a year-end cleanup of subscribers [127] Question: Can you elaborate on the GPU-as-a-Service offering? - The GPU-as-a-Service offering is in early stages, with discussions ongoing with enterprises to explore use cases [132]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Service revenue grew 2% year-on-year to PHP 194.7 billion driven by Fiber Mobile data and Enterprise ICT [9] - Gross revenue rose by 3% to PHP 208.4 billion [9] - EBITDA expanded by 4% to PHP 108.5 billion, with an EBITDA margin of 52% [10][19] - Telco Core income increased by 2% to PHP 35.1 billion, reinforcing earnings stability [10][19] - Reported income surged 21% to PHP 32.3 billion, up PHP 5.7 billion year-on-year [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Individual segment revenues rose by 2% to PHP 83.5 billion, with Mobile Data up by 5% [12] - Home revenues hit PHP 60.7 billion, with Fiber-only revenues growing by 6% to PHP 56 billion [14] - Enterprise revenues grew 3% to PHP 48.4 billion, with ICT services up 15% to PHP 35 billion [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Active data users reached 41.3 million, with average monthly mobile data usage per user growing by 5% [12] - PLDT's ARPU of PHP 1,488 remains at a premium to the industry [15] - Maya Bank's customer base grew 71% year-on-year to 5.4 million [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Focus on expanding revenues, managing costs, and improving cash flow generation in 2025 [10] - Strategic investments in network leadership, AI-driven marketing, and digital transformation [36] - Commitment to sustainability with a target of running data centers on at least 40% renewable energy by 2030 [72] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in sustaining profitability amid competitive pressures [10] - Anticipated continued growth in mobile data and enterprise ICT segments [36] - Plans to enhance customer experience and retention through improved service and innovative offerings [92] Other Important Information - CapEx for 2024 totaled PHP 78.2 billion, with guidance for 2025 between PHP 68 billion and PHP 73 billion [21][22] - Net debt-to-EBITDA currently stands at 2.52 times, with a target to reduce it to 2.0 times in the mid-term [23] - PLDT retained investment-grade ratings from S&P and Moody's [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is PLDT's stand on the Konektadong Pinoy Act? - PLDT supports the government's effort to provide open access and requests equal treatment with data transmission providers [79][81] Question: What initiatives are driving customer retention in the Home segment? - PLDT Home focuses on competitive offers, increasing speeds, and improving service to maintain a low churn rate of 1.7% [92] Question: Can you clarify the 11% increase in Fixed Line from 2023 to 2024? - The increase is attributed to bundled products, with voice services growing as part of these bundles [115] Question: Any preliminary guidance for 2025? - Management is not comfortable providing specific guidance for core income for 2025 but expects increases in revenues and profitability [123] Question: Why did PLDT see subscriber losses on prepaid in the fourth quarter? - The losses were due to a year-end cleanup of subscribers [127] Question: What has demand been like for GPU-as-a-Service? - Demand is growing, and PLDT is in discussions with enterprises to explore use cases for this service [133]

Presentations Page (IR website) FY2024 Analysts Briefing 1 Financial Highlights Stable Expansion and Earnings Growth | | FY24 | FY23 | Change | % Change | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Service Revenues [net of interconnection costs] | 194.7bn | 191.4 | +3.3bn | +2% | | Cash Opex, Subsidies, Provisions (ex-MRP) | 86.1bn | 87.1bn | -1.0bn | -1% | | EBITDA (ex-MRP) | 108.5bn 52% margin | 104.3bn 52% margin | +4.2bn | +4% | | Depreciation & Amortization | 50.5bn | 46.9bn | +3.7bn | +8% | | EBIT | 58.0bn | 5 ...

APLDT & Smart | --- | --- | --- | --- | |-----------------------|-------|-------|-------| | | | | | | 12 th November 2024 | | | | (IR website) PLDT Group: Financial Highlights | --- | --- | --- | --- | |-------------------------------------------------|--------------------|--------------------|----------------| | (Php in bn) | 9M24 | 9M23 | 9M24 vs 9M23 | | Service Revenues (net of interconnection costs) | 144.9bn | 142.3bn | 2% +2.6bn | | Cash Opex, Subsidies, Provisions (ex-MRP) | 64.2bn | 63.9bn | +0.3bn ...

Core Insights - The article introduces Daniel Javier as a new contributing analyst for Seeking Alpha, inviting others to share their investment ideas for publication and potential earnings [1]. Group 1 - The logistics sector is highlighted as a focus area, with nearly two decades of experience noted [2]. - The analyst emphasizes a specialization in stock investing and macroeconomic analysis for almost a decade, particularly in ASEAN and NYSE/NASDAQ stocks [2]. - Key sectors of interest include banks, telecommunications, logistics, and hotels [2].

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 6-K REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 November 12, 2024 PLDT INC. (Translation of registrant's name into English) Ramon Cojuangco Building Makati Avenue, Makati City Philippines (Address of registrant's principal executive office) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐ ...

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the focus on value investing in Asia, particularly targeting stocks with significant discrepancies between market price and intrinsic value, including deep value balance sheet bargains and wide moat stocks [1] - PLDT Inc. (NYSE: PHI) is highlighted as a stock with a Buy rating, with improved prospects for its wireless business due to a better competitive environment in the Philippine mobile services market [1] - The author provides investment ideas specifically for value investors interested in the Hong Kong market, focusing on deep value and high-quality businesses [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of identifying and sustaining trends in short-term investing, highlighting that sound fundamentals and positive earnings estimates are crucial for maintaining stock momentum [1]. Group 1: Stock Performance - PLDT (PHI) has shown a solid price increase of 17.5% over the past 12 weeks, indicating strong investor interest [3]. - The stock has also increased by 12% over the last four weeks, suggesting that the upward trend is still intact [4]. - Currently, PHI is trading at 82.3% of its 52-week high-low range, indicating a potential breakout [4]. Group 2: Fundamental Strength - PHI holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises [5]. - The stock has an Average Broker Recommendation of 1 (Strong Buy), reflecting high optimism from the brokerage community regarding its near-term price performance [6]. Group 3: Investment Strategy - The article suggests that investors can utilize the "Recent Price Strength" screen to identify stocks like PHI that are on an uptrend with strong fundamentals [2]. - It also mentions that there are over 45 Zacks Premium Screens available for investors to find potential winning stocks based on their investing style [7].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated service revenues for the first half of 2024 reached 96.9 billion, a 3% increase year-on-year, with gross service revenues up by 4% [3] - Operating expenses grew by 1% to 43 billion, while consolidated EBITDA rose by 3% to 53.9 billion, achieving an EBITDA margin of 52% [3][9] - Telco core income, excluding asset sales impact, expanded by 3% to 18 billion [3][9] Business Segment Data and Key Metrics Changes - Individual business revenues grew by 4% to 41.9 billion, with mobile data accounting for 89% of total segment revenues, increasing by 8% year-on-year [4][5] - Enterprise segment recorded a 4% revenue increase to 24 billion, driven by corporate data and ICT, which grew by 7% [3][8] - Home segment revenues slightly declined by 1% to 30 billion, but fiber-only revenues increased by 7% to 1.8 billion [3][4] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall market for mobile revenues saw a slowdown, with industry growth dropping from 6%-7% in Q1 to 3%-4% in Q2, attributed to limited customer mobility and seasonal factors [20] - PLDT's fiber business achieved a 7% year-on-year growth, with fiber now representing 92% of Home revenues [6][7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on operational efficiencies and cost rationalization, aiming for mid-single-digit top-line growth driven by data and broadband revenues [13] - PLDT is actively pursuing monetization plans for its data center business, with ongoing discussions for investment [19] - The company plans to maintain a 60% dividend payout while targeting a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 2.0 times [10][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism for 2024, expecting continued growth in data and broadband revenues, with EBITDA anticipated to grow by mid-single-digit [13] - The company noted that Maya Bank is on track to achieve breakeven by December 2024, with significant improvements in losses [18][37] Other Important Information - PLDT's balance sheet remains healthy, with gross debt at 265.4 billion and an average interest cost of 4.9% [10] - The company reported a significant increase in fiber installations, with a 20% rise from May to June [6] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on Maya Bank's cash flow positive status - Management confirmed that Maya Bank is cash flow positive but not the entire Maya entity, indicating profitability on a standalone basis [15][16] Question: Data center monetization plans - Ongoing discussions are in place for monetizing the data center business, with an agreement on valuation and share structure [19] Question: Slowdown in mobile revenues - Management attributed the slowdown to industry trends and seasonal factors, with expectations for recovery in Q3 [20] Question: Home broadband growth despite legacy business decline - The decline in legacy business is impacting overall performance, but fiber business is showing strong growth [22][23] Question: Prepaid fiber unit economics - The company is selectively rolling out prepaid fiber in areas with capacity, focusing on maximizing value from existing infrastructure [30][32]