Brokers' take

Singapore telecoms sector Credit Suisse, Aug 26

STARHUB'S and M1's stock prices have risen by about 15 per cent since mid-May 2016 and the stocks are trading close to their historical mean valuation, suggesting that stock prices are factoring in no fourth mobile operator scenario.

With the end to the fourth mobile operator saga approaching near (Sept 1, 2016), we would like to caution investors that the threat of a fourth mobile operator in Singapore is pretty much alive. We see a high probability of a fourth operator surfacing, given: (1) IDA's (Info-communications Development Authority of Singapore) keenness to encourage competition, (2) availability of low band spectrum at attractive valuations and (3) attractive return profile of the sector.