ARES MANAGEMENT LLC Reduces Stake in Frontier Communications Parent Inc

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Mar 22, 2025
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On March 19, 2025, ARES MANAGEMENT LLC (Trades, Portfolio) made a significant move by reducing its holdings in Frontier Communications Parent Inc (FYBR, Financial). The firm decreased its position by 31,138,370 shares, which represents a -39.17% change in its portfolio allocation for this stock. The shares were traded at a price of $35.77 each. This transaction leaves ARES MANAGEMENT LLC (Trades, Portfolio) with a total of 12,206,847 shares in Frontier Communications, now constituting 4.90% of the firm's portfolio.

Transaction Details and Impact

The reduction of shares by ARES MANAGEMENT LLC (Trades, Portfolio) in Frontier Communications Parent Inc is a notable transaction, given the scale of the share reduction. The firm’s decision to sell a substantial portion of its holdings at $35.77 per share reflects a strategic shift, impacting the firm's portfolio by -39.17%. This move could be indicative of the firm's reassessment of the stock's future potential or a reallocation of resources to other investments.

Profile of ARES MANAGEMENT LLC (Trades, Portfolio)

ARES MANAGEMENT LLC (Trades, Portfolio) is a prominent investment firm based in Los Angeles, California, with an equity value of $2.84 billion. The firm is known for its diverse portfolio, which includes top holdings such as Golub Capital BDC Inc (GBDC, Financial), Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc (CCO, Financial), Frontier Communications Parent Inc (FYBR, Financial), Global Business Travel Group Inc (GBTG, Financial), and Savers Value Village Inc (SVV, Financial). While the firm's specific investment philosophy is not detailed, its portfolio suggests a focus on consumer cyclical and communication services sectors.

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Overview of 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 $8.94 billion, the company operates in various segments such as data and internet services, video services, and voice services. As of the latest data, the stock is priced at $35.79, slightly above its traded price during the transaction.

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Financial Metrics and Valuation

Frontier Communications is currently considered modestly overvalued with a GF Value of $28.97, resulting in a Price to GF Value ratio of 1.24. The stock has experienced a year-to-date price change of 2.76%. Despite these figures, the company's GF Score of 57/100 suggests poor future performance potential. The balance sheet ranks at 3/10, while the profitability and growth ranks are 4/10 and 0/10, respectively. However, the momentum rank is relatively high at 9/10.

Performance and Growth Indicators

Frontier Communications' financial performance indicators reveal challenges, with a Z Score of 0.68 and a Piotroski F-Score of 5. The company's return on equity (ROE) is -6.27, and return on assets (ROA) is -1.57, indicating inefficiencies in generating returns from its assets and equity. Despite these challenges, the stock's momentum remains strong, as reflected in its high momentum rank.

Additional Insights

GAMCO Investors is the largest holder of Frontier Communications shares, with other notable investors including Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio). The stock's current valuation and performance metrics suggest caution for value investors. The firm's strategic decision to reduce its stake in Frontier Communications may reflect a reassessment of the stock's potential or a shift in investment strategy.

Conclusion

ARES MANAGEMENT LLC (Trades, Portfolio)'s decision to reduce its holdings in Frontier Communications Parent Inc is a strategic move that reflects the firm's current assessment of the stock's value and future potential. For value investors, the stock's modest overvaluation, coupled with its financial performance metrics, suggests a need for careful consideration. As the market evolves, investors should remain vigilant and consider the implications of such transactions on their investment strategies.

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.

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    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.