Telefónica (NYSE:TEF) Stock Price Down 2.6%

Telefónica, S.A. (NYSE:TEF)’s share price was down 2.6% on Friday . The stock traded as low as $4.18 and last traded at $4.20. Approximately 177,968 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 76% from the average daily volume of 743,172 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.31.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on TEF shares. StockNews.com raised shares of Telefónica from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, June 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of Telefónica from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, June 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold”.

Telefónica Stock Down 1.9 %

The firm’s 50-day moving average is $4.46 and its 200-day moving average is $4.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.86.

Telefónica (NYSE:TEF) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 9th. The utilities provider reported $0.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.09 by $0.02. Telefónica had a negative net margin of 1.57% and a positive return on equity of 7.84%. The business had revenue of $11.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.96 billion. Sell-side analysts predict that Telefónica, S.A. will post 0.34 EPS for the current year.

Telefónica Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 11th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 18th will be given a dividend of $0.1628 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 18th. This represents a yield of 5.2%. Telefónica’s payout ratio is -143.75%.

Institutional Trading of Telefónica

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First Affirmative Financial Network boosted its position in Telefónica by 5.0% during the first quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 64,102 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $283,000 after buying an additional 3,038 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Telefónica by 113.9% during the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 5,888 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 3,135 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Telefónica by 171.6% during the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,682 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 3,590 shares during the period. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Telefónica by 11.4% during the first quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 39,655 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $175,000 after purchasing an additional 4,050 shares during the period. Finally, BayBridge Capital Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Telefónica by 5.4% during the first quarter. BayBridge Capital Group LLC now owns 87,105 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $380,000 after purchasing an additional 4,492 shares during the period. 1.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Telefónica

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.