Telus builds for the future

Article Excerpt

TELUS CORP. $29.45 (Toronto symbol T.A; Shares outstanding: 335.6 million; Market cap: $9.9 billion; SI Rating: Above Average) attracted just 48,000 new wireless subscribers during the first quarter of 2009. This is down 46% from the year-earlier quarter. Wireless accounts for half of Telus’s revenue and earnings. The recession has forced more businesses and consumers to deactivate their cellphones or switch to cheaper monthly plans. Despite the slower growth, Telus has 9.2% more wireless subscribers than it did a year ago. Recently, it has been improving the speed and reliability of its network, which should help it compete with several new wireless licence holders that could enter the market next year. Telus is still a safety-conscious buy. buy…