In 2014, a CRTC report indicated that wireless revenues made up the largest component (49%) of total telecommunications revenues. From 2014 to 2019, mobile data traffic in Canada is expected to grow 700%, a compound annual growth rate of 46%.
The Big Three telecoms, BCE Inc. (TSX:BCE)(NYSE:BCE), Telus Corporation (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU), and Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI.B)(NYSE:RCI) are bound benefit to benefit from this massive growth.
Telecom performances compared to the market
Using iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index Fund as a benchmark, it fell from a 52-week high of $22.8 to $20.1, a decline of 11.8%. It now yields 3%.
Comparatively, the Big Three telecoms have been more resilient to the decline. Additionally, they provide a higher income (at least 1% higher) than the index.
- BCE only fell from a 52-week high of $60 to $55.40, a decline of 7.7%. It now yields 4.7%.
- Telus only fell from a 52-week high of $45 to $41.8, a decline of 7.7%. It now yields 4%.
- Rogers Communications’s price is only 1% below its 52-week high. It now yields 4.1%.
With Rogers Communications declining the least, does that mean it’s a buy over the others? Let’s take a look at their valuations and expected growth.
Which defensive telecom is the best deal today?
BCE is priced at a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of under 17. The total return is estimated by adding the current yield with the expected earnings growth. With earnings growth anticipated to be 5-6% in the near future, investors can expect a total return of 9.7-10.7% from BCE.
Telus is priced at a P/E of about 16.8. With earnings growth anticipated to be 7-8% in the near future, investors can expect a total return of 11-12% on an investment today.
Rogers Communications is the cheapest of the three because it has experienced slower earnings growth compared with the other two. Its P/E is around 16.2. With earnings growth anticipated to be 6-7% in the near future, investors can expect a total return of 10.1-11.1% on an investment today.
In conclusion
If investors are looking for the highest income from this stable industry, BCE is your top choice because it has the highest yield of 4.7%. However, the telecom has historically yielded over 5%. That would imply a price of $52.
Investing in great businesses at fair prices is one of the best things investors can do for their long-term portfolio. It’s typically a fair deal to buy Telus when it yields 4%. However, Telus occasionally yields 4.2% or higher.
If you want to buy at the 4.2% yield, wait for Telus to get to $40 per share. That said, Telus should be on schedule to increase its quarterly dividend to 44 cents in the next three months. That is a forecast from its recent dividend-growth history. In that case, buying it at $41.90 would imply a yield of 4.2% today.
Rogers Communications has been trading essentially between $42 and $46 since 2014. It seems to be breaking out of that range. If its earnings do increase at a rate of 6-7% in the near future compared with its recent growth of 3%, it would be a good time to buy shares today.
