PLT - Why Plantronics Stock Is Wilting Today
Shares of video- and teleconferencing equipment maker Plantronics (NYSE: PLT), also known as "Poly" since its merger with Polycom, are plunging Friday, down 17% as of 10:45 a.m. EDT on news that one of its largest shareholders has just become a much smaller shareholder.
Yesterday after close of trading, Plantronics revealed that Siris Capital Group, which previously owned 7.1 million shares of Plantronics, has sold 4.1 million of those shares, or about 57% of its stake (and 10% of Plantronics' total share count).
In its statement, Plantronics explained that Siris' move is simply designed to capture "what it considers to be an attractive return on its original investment in Polycom in 2016." Indeed, Siris Managing Partner Frank Baker reiterated his "confidence in Poly, its management team, and the opportunities ahead."