Welcome to the ASX World Cup Final game between Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) and Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS). These two have reached the final on the back of multi-year highs, but which can kick on to take the trophy?
Pre-match commentary and stats
Telstra has a strong team based on the fibre-optic future of the internet, its superior 4G mobile network and the lethal goal scorer, Mr. Fully Franked Dividends. Macquarie's team is packed full of hard workers, always looking for every opportunity to impress and score the all important huge end-of-year bonus.
| Mac Bank | Telstra | |
| Code | ASX:MQG | ASX:TLS |
| Recent Price | $59.18 | $5.37 |
| Market Capitalisation | $19.04 billion | $66.32 billion |
| Dividend Yield / Franking | 4.7% | 40% | 5.4% |100% |
| Projected P/E ratio 2016 | 13.8 | 15.7 |
| Price-Book ratio | 1.67 | 5.26 |
Source: Morningstar / Thomson Consensus Estimates.
The game kicks off and Telstra's immediately on the attack with its giant scale and a superior network that's seen it add mobile customers for fun recently, that's some competitive advantage and Telstra scores to make it 1-0. Macquarie's team has a reputation for some of the strongest fundamental equity research in the world, this sees it score a sublime equaliser going into half time at 1-1.
The second half kicks off and Telstra takes the initiative for investors focused on a steadier future, Macquarie's capital markets facing businesses tend to blow hot or cold, with the commodities trading arm blowing hot recently. However, it seems as though Telstra's not just a yield story, the technology-focused division of Network Application Services has been delivering strong growth too. That's too much for Macquarie's defense and Mr Fully Franked Dividends scores! Telstra wins the ASX World Cup 2-1!
Oh and it looks like the Macquarie team are chasing after the referee asking if they still get their performance bonus! The referee says yes and that sees some wild celebrations from the Mac Bankers, everyone's a winner, what a great tournament!
