Is it a good company at a reasonable price? There is much I do not like about this stock and that begins with the awful Debt Ratios and the high DPRs. On the other hand, it is a good sign that maybe things are going to get better because insiders are buying and they probably think that. A cheap stock is not necessarily a good stock to buy. If this stock is to turn around, it will probably take some time. It is cheap at present and with a decent dividend yield.
I do not own this stock of Telus Corp (TSX-T, NYSE-TU). I started to follow this stock because of a list of stock John Sartz talked about in 2008. At the Toronto Money Shows in 2009 and 2010 Aaron Dunn from Key Stone Financial Publishing Corp talked about having recommended this stock. Aaron Dunn says he likes companies with resilient business models, which are profitable and are growing their earnings. He also like companies with strong management teams, health balance sheets, and compelling valuations. They look at the P/E and the Price/Cash Flow ratios. Telus Corp (TSX-T) was one of three stocks he recommended in 2009.
When I was updating my spreadsheet, I noticed every officer and directors I follow bought more shares in the past year. They have a new CEO and he was appointed from within the company and he increased his shares by 200%. They also have a new CFO and he bought shares. The rest of the people I follow have been with the company at least 5 years and they all bought more shares. This is, of course, a positive.
The negative is, of course, that this company cut their dividends this year by 55%. They were probably paying more in dividends than they could afford. What they are earning has been going down, even the Adjusted Earnings have been going down over the past 3 years. As you can see in the chart below, if you had invested in this company 10 years ago, your stock price is down, but overall, you had a gain. This is quite typical of stocks that pay dividends. You often, at least, break even when problems appear.
If you had invested in this company in December 2015, for $1,013.89 you would have bought 53 shares at $19.13 per share. In December 2025, after 10 years you would have received $655.02 in dividends. The stock would be worth $958.77. Your total return would have been $1,613.79. This would be a total return of 5.85% per year with 0.56% from capital loss and 6.41% from dividends.
| Cost | Tot. Cost | Shares | Years | Dividends | Stock Val | Tot Ret |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $19.13 | $1,013.89 | 53 | 10 | $655.02 | $958.77 | $1,613.79 |
The current dividend yield is good with dividend growth low. The current dividend is good (5% to 6% ranges) at 5.69%. The 5 year median dividend yield is also good at 5.68%. The 10 year and historical median dividend yields are moderate at 4.56%, and 4.34%. The dividend growth is low (below 8% per year) at 7% per year over the past 5 years. The last dividend change was in 2026 and was a decrease in dividends by 55%.
The Dividend Payout Ratios (DPR) are far too high. The DPR for 2025 for Earnings per Share (EPS) is far too high at 227% with 5 year coverage at 166%. The DPR for 2025 for Adjusted Earnings per Share (AEPS) is far too high at 178% with 5 year coverage at 141%. The DPR for 2025 for Cash Flow per Share (CFPS) is too high at 52% with 5 year coverage at 43%. The DPR for 2025 for Free Cash Flow (FCF) is too high at 77% with 5 year coverage at 91%. With the drop in dividends, the DPR for EPS is expected to remain above 100% over the next 3 years. With the drop in dividends, the DPR for AEPS is expected to be around 89 in the next 3 years.
| Item | Cur | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|
| EPS | 227.39% | 165.53% |
| AEPS | 177.96% | 141.34% |
| CFPS | 51.80% | 43.91% |
| FCF | 76.76% | 91.02% |
Debt Ratios are rather ugly. The Long Term Debt/Market Cap Ratio for 2025 is high at 0.98 and currently far too high at 1.25. The Intangible and Goodwill Ratios are much too high at 1.10 and currently at 1.09. The Liquidity Ratio for 2025 is too low at 0.86 and 0.86 currently. If you added in Cash Flow after dividends, the ratios are still too low at 1.10 and currently at 1.09. The Debt Ratio for 2025 is low at 1.39 and 1.36 currently. The Leverage and Debt/Equity Ratios for 2025 are too high at 3.60 and 2.60 and currently at 3.77 and 2.77.
| Type | Year End | Ratio Curr |
|---|---|---|
| Lg Term R | 0.98 | 1.25 |
| Intang/GW | 1.10 | 1.37 |
| Liquidity | 0.86 | 0.86 |
| Liq. + CF | 1.10 | 1.09 |
| Liq, CF DB | 1.62 | 1.85 |
| Debt Ratio | 1.39 | 1.36 |
| Leverage | 3.60 | 3.77 |
| D/E Ratio | 2.60 | 2.77 |
The Total Return per Year is shown below for years of 5 to 35 to the end of 2025. Under the Capital Gain column is the portion of the Total Return attributable to capital gains. Under the Dividend column is the portion of the Total Return attributable to dividends. See chart below.
| From | Years | Div. Gth | Tot Ret | Cap Gain | Div. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | 7.04% | 0.06% | -6.42% | 6.48% |
| 2015 | 10 | 7.16% | 5.85% | -0.56% | 6.41% |
| 2010 | 15 | 8.41% | 9.94% | 3.14% | 6.79% |
| 2005 | 20 | 11.08% | 7.34% | 2.09% | 5.25% |
| 2000 | 25 | 6.37% | 6.61% | 2.24% | 4.36% |
| 1995 | 30 | 5.73% | 8.90% | 3.78% | 5.12% |
| 1990 | 35 | 10.18% | 9.00% | 3.86% | 5.14% |
The 5-year low, median, and high median Price/Earnings per Share Ratios are 24.19, 28.21 and 32.22. The corresponding 10 year ratios are 20.86, 23.93 and 26.99. The corresponding historical ratios are 15.75, 17.42 and 15.75. The current ratio is negative and therefore useless in testing.
If we look at EPS estimate for 2026, we get a ratio of 24.21. This is based on a stock price of $13.17, EPS of $0.54. This ratio is between the median and high ratio of the 10 year median ratios. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively reasonable but above the median. If we look at EPS estimate for 2027, we get a ratio of 20.09. This is based on a stock price of $13.17, EPS of $0.66. This ratio is below the low of the 10 year median ratios. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively cheap.
I also have Adjusted Earnings per Share (AEPS) data. The 5-year low, median, and high median Price/Earnings per Share Ratios are 22.33, 25.69 and 27.98. The corresponding 10 year ratios are 18.68, 21.57 and 24.39. The corresponding historical ratios are 15.29, 16.50 and 17.69. The current ratio 19.09 based on a stock price of $13.17 and AEPS estimate for 2026 of $0.69. The current ratio is between the low and median ratios of the 10 year median ratio. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively reasonable and below the median.
I get a Graham Price of $12.25. The 10-year low, median, and high median Price/Graham Price Ratios are 1.45, 1.52 and 1.65. The current ratio is 1.08 based on a stock price of $13.17. The current ratio is below the low ratio of the 10 year median ratios. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively cheap.
I get a 10-year median Price/Book Value per Share Ratio of 2.58. The current ratio is 1.36 based on a Book Value of $15,220, Book Value per Share of $9.66, and stock price of $13.17. This ratio is 47% below the 10 year median ratio. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively cheap.
I also have a Book Value per Share estimate for 2026 of $7.80. This implies a ratio of 1.69, Book Value of $12,291M with a stock price of $13.17. This ratio is 35% below 10 year median ratio of 2.58. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively cheap.
I get a 10-year median Price/Cash Flow per Share Ratio of 7.13. The current ratio is 4.29 based on Cash Flow per Share estimate for 2026 of $3.07, Cash Flow of $4,832M and a stock price of $13.17. The current ratio is 40% below the 10 year median ratio. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively cheap.
I get an historical median dividend yield of 4.34%. The current ratio is 5.69% based on dividends of $0.75 and a stock price of $13.17. The current ratio is 31% above the historical median dividend yield. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively cheap.
I get a 10 year median dividend yield of 4.56%. The current ratio is 5.69% based on dividends of $0.75 and a stock price of $13.17. The current ratio is 25% above the historical median dividend yield. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively cheap.
The 10-year median Price/Sales (Revenue) Ratio is 1.97. The current P/S Ratio is 1.02 based on Revenue estimate for 2026 of $20,256M, Revenue per Share of $12.86 and a stock price of $13.17. The current ratio is 48% below the 10 year median ratio. This stock price testing suggests that the stock price is relatively cheap
Results of stock price testing is that the stock price is probably relatively cheap. The dividend yield testing is saying this. However, you have to wonder about this when the company just cut dividends. (Dividend cutting is a negative.) The P/S Ratio test is a good one and it says that the stock price is relatively cheap. The P/BV Ratio testing is saying that the stock price is relatively cheap. This is a good test because it relies on the actual book value. Most of the rest of the testing is saying that the stock price is relatively cheap.
When I look at analysts’ recommendations, I find Strong Buy (3), Hold (11), Underperform (2) and Sell (2). The consensus would be a Hold. The 12 months stock price consensus is $14.31 with a high of $17.00 and a low of $11.50. The 12 month stock price consensus of $14.31 implies a total return of 14.35% with 8.66% from capital gains and 5.69% from dividends based on a current stock price of $13.17.
There are mixed feelings on Stock Chase about this stock. However, there are lots of Do Not Buy for this stock in 2026. Some complain that after the dividend cut, the payouts are still too high. I think that they are right. One says buy for a diversified portfolio. Jitendra Parashar on Motley Fool says that Telus’ sharply lower share price and renewed focus on cash flow, debt reduction, and disciplined capital allocation make its stock worth considering today. Joey Frenette on Motley Fool says don’t count on quick turnaround gains from beaten-down Telus. The company put out a press release via Newswire about their fourth quarter results for 2025. The company put out a Press Release about their second quarter of 2026.
People on Money.ca via Yahoo Finance way in on whether or not you should buy this stock.. Simply Wall Street via Yahoo Finance reviews this stock after the dividend reset. They say it might be undervalued and worth $20.28. Simply Wall Street has two warnings on this stock of interest payments are not well covered by earnings; and dividend of 12.5% is not well covered by earnings or free cash flows. Even with the dividend cuts, I think that the DPRs are too high.
Telus is one of Canada's Big Three telecom service providers, offering wireless and broadband services nationally, but with strongholds in British Columbia and Alberta. The firm operates two additional segments, Telus Health and Telus Digital. Its web site is here Telus Corp.
The last stock I wrote about was about was Accord Financial Corp (TSX-ACD, OTC-ACCFF) ... learn more. The next stock I will write about will be Trican Well Service Ltd (TSX-TCW, OTC-TOLWF) ... learn more on Friday, September 11, 2026 around 5 pm. Tomorrow on my other blog I will write about Financial Expertise and Blind Spots.... learn more on Thursday, September 10, 2026 around 5 pm.
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