Regular dividend hikes a plus

Article Excerpt

Telus suspended dividend increases in 2020 due to uncertainty caused by COVID-19 lockdowns. Now that the economy is reopening, the company has resumed its pattern of raising the dividend twice a year. In fact, it now aims to increase the annual dividend rate between 7% and 10% from 2023 through the end of 2025. The company also continues to develop its smaller businesses, which serve the healthcare and agricultural industries. Selling shares in them would unlock value—and perhaps let Telus pay a special dividend. TELUS CORP. $30 is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol T; Income-Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 1.4 billion; Market cap: $42.0 billion; Dividend yield: 4.5%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.telus.com) is Canada’s second-largest wireless carrier with 11.67 million subscribers (including cellphones and other connected devices), just behind BCE’s Bell Mobility (with 11.90 million users) and ahead of Rogers Communications (11.30 million users). The company also sells landline phone, Internet, TV and home security services in B.C., Alberta and eastern Quebec…