Some of the UK’s largest stocks have made a habit of defying the recent tariff turmoil. One of these has been FTSE 100 telecoms stock BT, which is up nearly 20% this year.
Why is this? Javier Correonero, senior equity analyst at Morningstar, believes that there are many factors contributing to the rally.
The most important is the general overperformance of European stocks over the US. Inflows into Europe lifted the whole stock market and in turn the share prices of telecommunications stocks like BT. Reliable dividend payers are back in favor too.
The telecom stock is also delivering on cost-cutting measures and lifting profit margins. In an era of higher inflation, BT’s consumer division has successfully passed price increases onto customers. And although revenue growth for Openreach is slow at only 2%, profit growth is higher, at 6%.
Key Morningstar Metrics for BT
- Morningstar Rating: ★★★
- Fair value estimate: GBX 190.00
- Discount to Fair Value: 8%
- Forward Dividend Yield: 4.69%
Openreach is BT’s key asset and as the rollout of fiber broadband continues, the company has benefited from higher prices, and a favorable mix of fiber versus older technology. There are many places in the UK still to access superfast broadband, and the government has made this a key priority. However, Openreach is competing against new entrants.
Is BT Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold?
According to Morningstar analysis, BT stock is slightly undervalued, and trading in three-star territory.
Year to date, shares in the telecom stock are up 16.75%, trading at 171.85p, below Morningstar’s fair value estimate of 190p.
BT is set to announce its full-year earnings at the end of May.
The author or authors do not own shares in any securities mentioned in this article. Find out about Morningstar's editorial policies.