ARES MANAGEMENT LLC Reduces Stake in Frontier Communications Parent Inc

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Mar 21, 2025
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On March 12, 2025, ARES MANAGEMENT LLC (Trades, Portfolio) made a strategic decision to reduce its holdings in Frontier Communications Parent Inc (NASDAQ: FYBR). The firm decreased its position by 3,140,000 shares, representing a -13.11% change in its stake. This transaction brought the total number of shares held by ARES MANAGEMENT LLC (Trades, Portfolio) to 20,805,156. The trade was executed at a price of $35.85 per share, impacting the firm's portfolio by -3.96%. This move reflects a significant adjustment in the firm's investment strategy concerning Frontier Communications.

Profile of ARES MANAGEMENT LLC (Trades, Portfolio)

ARES MANAGEMENT LLC (Trades, Portfolio) is a prominent investment firm headquartered at 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA. Known for its value investing approach, the firm maintains a diversified portfolio with top holdings in companies such as Golub Capital BDC Inc (GBDC, Financial), Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc (CCO, Financial), and Frontier Communications Parent Inc (FYBR, Financial). The firm manages a total equity of $2.84 billion, with a focus on sectors like Consumer Cyclical and Communication Services. This strategic reduction in FYBR shares aligns with the firm's investment philosophy of optimizing portfolio performance.

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About Frontier Communications Parent Inc

Frontier Communications Parent Inc is a leading provider of broadband and voice services, including data-based voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and unified communications as a service (UCaaS). With a market capitalization of $8.98 billion, the company's stock is currently priced at $35.98. According to GuruFocus, the stock is considered modestly overvalued with a GF Value of $28.97. Since its IPO on May 4, 2021, the stock has seen a 39.4% increase, with a year-to-date gain of 3.3%. Despite these gains, the company's financial metrics suggest potential challenges ahead.

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Financial Metrics and Valuation

Frontier Communications' financial metrics reveal a mixed outlook. The Price to GF Value ratio stands at 1.24, indicating modest overvaluation. The company's GF Score is 57/100, suggesting poor future performance potential. The Balance Sheet Rank is 3/10, and the Profitability Rank is 4/10, with a Growth Rank of 0/10. The company's Cash to Debt Ratio is 0.07, indicating high leverage, which could pose risks in a volatile market environment.

Impact of the Transaction

The reduction in shares by ARES MANAGEMENT LLC (Trades, Portfolio) has decreased the firm's position in Frontier Communications to 27.31% of its portfolio, with the stock now representing 8.30% of the firm's holdings in FYBR. Despite this reduction, Frontier Communications remains a significant part of the firm's investment strategy. GAMCO Investors holds the largest guru position in FYBR, indicating continued interest from major investors.

Market and Industry Context

Frontier Communications operates within the Telecommunication Services industry, focusing on key segments such as Data and Internet services, Voice services, and Video services. The competitive landscape in this sector is intense, with companies vying for market share and growth potential. Frontier's position in the market is challenged by its financial metrics, which may impact its ability to capitalize on growth opportunities.

Analysis of Stock Performance Indicators

Frontier Communications' stock performance indicators present a nuanced picture. The RSI 14 Day is at 57.75, indicating neutral momentum. The Momentum Index 6 - 1 Month is 0.36, while the 12 - 1 Month is 52.19. The company's ROE and ROA are -6.27% and -1.57% respectively, reflecting negative returns. These indicators suggest that while the stock has experienced some gains, underlying financial challenges remain.

Conclusion

ARES MANAGEMENT LLC (Trades, Portfolio)'s decision to reduce its holdings in Frontier Communications Parent Inc reflects a strategic adjustment in response to the company's financial metrics and market conditions. While the firm continues to hold a significant position in FYBR, the reduction indicates a cautious approach to managing portfolio risk. For value investors, this transaction underscores the importance of evaluating financial health and market dynamics when making investment decisions.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.