Telstra

At Telstra’s recent investor day, management confirmed full year guidance of low single digit revenue and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) growth. Improving customer service, more competitive pricing plans and cost cutting is beginning to boost the bottom line. However, warts include the Sensis business (owner of the Yellow and White Pages), which expects to suffer a 15%-20% fall in revenue this year, as digital advertising fails to offset the decline in print advertising. 

Turning to the NBN transition, Telstra submitted a revised Structural Separation Undertaking to the ACCC last week. This was in response to regulatory concerns over pricing, wholesale customer obligations, the enforcement of breaches and compliance. We expect the revised proposal to pass muster in February, which shouldn’t delay the NBN rollout. The stock has increased 5% since 19 Oct 11 (Hold - $3.14) and remains a HOLD, although it is fast approaching a downgrade.