2017 was a tough year for South Africa's telecoms stocks listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), with only MTN coming out with a positive return over the year.
MTN's share price grew by 8.3% between the beginning of January and the end of December 2017, according to data from Bloomberg.
In contrast, Vodacom's stock fell by 4.5% over the year. Blue Label Telecoms' significant investment in operator Cell C during 2017 did not inspire investors and the company's share price was down by 18.1% over the year. The worst performer over the year was Telkom, which saw its stock plunge by 35% in 2017.
So far in early 2018, most telcos' stocks were not fairing much better. MTN's share price, year to date (YTD), was up a miniscule 0.03% at R133.77 per share at the close of the market on 11 January.
Vodacom's share price has fallen 1.5% since the beginning of the year, trading at R141.80 per share. Blue Label has already seen an 11.3% drop YTD to R13.27 per share and Telkom was 1.6% lower YTD at R46.25 per share.
However, the majority of the stocks have performed well over a five-year period. Telkom's stock has grown by 174.5% over five years and Blue Label was up 50.8% over that period. Vodacom shares bought five years ago would now be worth 11.7% more.
The only stock that saw a decrease was MTN, as its share price dropped by 24.2% since January 2013.
Company | Share price | % change 2017 | % change YTD | 5YR return |
MTN | R133.77 | +8.3% | +0.03% | -24.2% |
Vodacom | R141.80 | -4.5% | -1.5% | +11.7% |
Blue Label Telecoms | R13.27 | -18.1% | -11.3% | +50.8% |
Telkom | R46.25 | -35% | -1.6% | +174.5% |
* Share prices are all as at the market close on 11 January 2018; data from Bloomberg.
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