Telus Will Thrive Despite Competition

Article Excerpt

Telus faces competitive challenges from both rival phone companies and from cable firms. New cell phone licenses recently won by new entrants could sharply increase competition in that market. However, we still think Telus is well positioned to compete and grow. TELUS CORP. $48.42 (Toronto symbol T.A; SI Rating: Above average) provides local and long distance telephone service in B.C., Alberta and parts of Quebec, and wireless service across Canada. In the three months ended September 30, 2007, Telus’s earnings per share excluding unusual items rose 10.5%, to $0.95 from $0.86 a year earlier. Revenue rose 4.5%, to $2.31 billion from $2.21 billion. Strong gains at its wireless and high-speed Internet operations offset lower local and long-distance revenues. The company recently raised its dividend rate by 20%. The new annual rate of $1.80 yields 3.1%. Recent auctions of new radio frequencies (or wireless spectrum) to let new cell phone firms such as Videotron and Shaw Cable enter the market will increase competition. Ottawa…