The Vocus Group Ltd (ASX: VOC) share price has been pummelled.
Vocus Group Share Price
Despite the telecommunication provider's exceptional run-up in price over the past five years, shareholders are almost back to par with the market, or S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) – note the blue line in the chart. However, that return is before dividends.
Who is Vocus?
Vocus is one of Australia's and New Zealand's leading telecommunications providers. It owns Dodo, iPrimus, M2, Amcom, Nextgen, Slingshot and much more. It also owns an extensive fibre network backbone.
The recent share price falls have been a result of a change in sentiment, management musical chairs, the ongoing NBN rollout and integration issues with its recently acquired businesses, including Nextgen Networks and M2. Following a recent profit downgrade shares fell to new lows, with its debt position being called into question.
Why consider Vocus shares?
My family has held Vocus shares since they merged with M2 Group — they have fallen a long way since then. But with prices at current levels, I'm considering starting a personal position in Vocus.
For the record, you can see my personal holdings here. As with all Motley Fool contributors, our disclosures always follow our articles (see below).
Here's why I'm considering Vocus shares:
1. Upside potential. They say you should never send good money after bad. Water the flowers, not the weeds. However, there's a good chance the market has overdone the effect of the challenges facing Vocus' businesses.
2. Hard assets. Behind the Vocus reselling business there is a network that would be highly valuable to the right suitor. In my opinion, this network offers downside protection in the worst-case scenario.
3. Growth levers. To help its debt position, the company has a few levers it can pull. For example, it will likely trim or cut its dividend. It could also cut its capital expenditure. I think capital expenditure is more important than a dividend. But, longer term, I expect Vocus to resume paying a decent dividend to shareholders given the defensive high margin nature of some of its businesses.
Foolish Takeaway
Ultimately, Vocus is a higher risk business but it has some great features.
A fall in a company's share price is never welcome — unless you are buying.
