Spinoff potential just adds to Telus’s appeal

Article Excerpt

Telus recently sold shares in its Telus International business to the public. That could set the stage for the eventual spinoff of its remaining stake to existing Telus shareholders. Moreover, the success of the IPO should encourage Telus to explore more spinoffs, which would further unlock its hidden value for investors. TELUS CORP. $27 is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol T; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 1.3 billion; Market cap: $35.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.3; Dividend yield: 4.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.telus.com) is Canada’s third-largest wireless carrier after Rogers Communications (No. 1) and Bell Mobility (No. 2). It also sells landline phone, Internet, TV and home security services in B.C., Alberta and eastern Quebec. In the past few years, Telus has invested heavily in its wireless and high-speed Internet networks. That has helped it attract new customers. It’s also why revenue rose 20.8%, from $12.80 billion in 2016 to $15.46 billion in 2020. Earnings gained 42.8%, from $1.22 billion in…