Certain telecom dividend stocks have the ability for steady cash flow generation, despite years of pressure on the European telecommunications sector.
The decline in stock prices in recent years creates a potential opportunity for high dividend yields.
Sector overview
In general, the demand for telecom service is in the line with the expectation of GDP growth, which indicates its stability.
However, in Europe, the telecom companies are under pressure since long time among others due to the strong competition in the market.
The European telecom companies are less affected by the conflict in Ukraine because their major operators have no sales activities in Russia and Ukraine.
Concerning the potential European telecom dividend stocks, the source of threat is rather cyberwarfare, wherein the Hackers attack the infrastructure, while telecom companies need to step up their defenses.
However, the main challenges for the European telecom companies is the built-out of 5G infrastructure and additionally fiber networks.
The European Commission has a plan to reach by 2030 aiming for gigabit broadband for all households as well as for a fast 5G mobile connection. This should improve the efficiency of the sector as well as the ability for cash generation in long term.
There are bunch of options available to investors in the stock market. However, for those who prefer a long-term approach to investing, telecom dividend stocks with potential for high dividend yield, it has compiled a list of compelling choices using Yahoo Finance Stock Screener.
| Ticker | Company | Nationality | Market cap | Sector | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCMN.SW | Swisscom AG | Switzerland | US$ 28,0 billion | Communication Services | Telecom |
| KPN.AS | Koninklijke KPN N.V. | Netherlands | US$ 13,3 bilion | Communication Services | Telecom |
| TELIA.ST | TELIA COMPANY AB | Sweden | US$ 15,0 billion | Communication Services | Telecom |
| VOD.L | Vodafone Group Plc | U.K. | US$ 40,3 billion | Communication Services | Telecom |
| ORA.PA | Orange S.A. | France | US$ 27,7 billion | Communication Services | Telecom |
Source: Yahoo Finance database
Top European telecom dividend stocks
5. Swisscom AG (Ticker SIX SCMN) – Switzerland
4. Koninklijke KPN N.V. (Ticker AEX KPN NV) – Netherlands
Market capitalization: US$ 13,3 billion (EUR 13,0 billion), forward annual dividend yield: 4,34%, P/E 18,5
Koninklijke KPN N.V. engages in the provision of telecommunications and information technology services in the Netherlands. Its operation consists of Consumer; Business; Wholesale; Network, Operations and IT segments. It is the leading provider of telecommunications services in the Netherlands, where it has more than 4 million customers. The company was first established as a postal service in 1752, later the operation has reorganized. Since 1994, it is on the list of Amsterdam Stock Exchange. Headquarter: Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
There are typically 2 dividends per year in Q2 and Q3. 5 Year Average Dividend Yield: 4,62%
3. Telia Company AB (Ticker STO TELIA) – Sweden
Market capitalization: US$ 15,0 billion (SEK 151,5 billion), forward annual dividend yield: 5,61%, P/E 29,6
Telia Company AB is a Swedish telecommunications company, which was formed after the merger between Telia (Swedish) and Sonera (Finnish). The company has operation in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Denmark. It has more than 18 million mobile subscriptions, about 1.0 million fixed telephony subscriptions, 3.4 million TV subscriptions and 2.9 fixed million broadband subscriptions. Furthermore, it is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange and on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.
There are typically 2 dividends per year in different quarters. 5 Year Average Dividend Yield: 5,51%
2. Vodafone Group Plc (Ticker LON VOD) – U.K.
Market capitalization: US$ 40,3 billion (GBP 33,8 billion), forward annual dividend yield: 6,25%, P/E 20,2
Vodafone Group Plc. is one of the world’s largest telecommunication providers based on revenue, it operates in two geographic regions – Europe, and Rest of the World. As for subscribers, 323 million mobile customers, 28 million fixed broadband customers, and 22 million TV customers had used Vodafone’s services in the beginning of 2022. Vodafone is primary listed on London Stock Exchange, additionally on NASDAQ. Furthermore, it is constituent of the FTSE 100. It was incorporated in 1984 and is headquartered in Newbury, the U.K.
There are typically 2 dividends per year in Q2 and Q4. 5 Year Average Dividend Yield: 6,71%
1. Orange S.A. (Ticker PAR ORA) – France
Market capitalization: US$ 27,7 billion (EUR 26,9 billion), forward annual dividend yield: 6,87%, P/E 6,69
Orange SA provides telecommunication services, leased lines, data transmission, Internet and wireless applications, broadcasting services and other value-added services to residential customers, businesses. In addition, it has wide range of operation in France, Spain, in other side of Europe like Poland, in Africa and Middle East. The company was formerly known as France Telecom and in 2013 changed its name to Orange S.A. . Headquarter: Paris, France.
There are typically 2 dividends per year in different quarters. 5 Year Average Dividend Yield: 5,41%