Quad-play bundles are all the rage in the multimedia sector right now with companies fighting each other to offer the best package to customers.
With a war like this going on, investors need to be prepared and a well-diversified portfolio of the industrysbiggest players,Vodafone(LSE: VOD),BT(LSE: BT-A) andSKY(LSE: SKY), looks to be the best way to go.
Plenty of ways to profit
Vodafone, BT and Sky are the three largest companies that give investors access to every sector of the UKs multimedia market. Whats more, Vodafone offers exposure to emerging markets and Sky now has a large presence within Europe.
It would be fair to say that Vodafone, Sky and BT all have their strengths and weaknesses, which is why the trio works well as a group.
Vodafone, for example, is not the largest mobile provider in the UK but the company has a huge, and growing, presence within Europe as well as India and South Africa.
Additionally, the company offers one of the most attractive dividend yields around. At present Vodafone supports a dividend yield of 4.9%, although the payout isnt covered by earnings per share.
Similarly, BT will soon become the UKs largest mobile provider after acquiring EE, in a deal that values the mobile network at12.5bn. The merger will give BTcontrol over EEs near-to 25m customers, in addition to its current 18m TV, broadband, landline and broadband customers, cementing BTs position as the UKs premier multimedia company.
However, BT does have its weaknesses. These weaknesses include a large pension deficit and rising debt pile, as well as competition worries.
And BTs main competitor is Sky. The two companies are fighting over pay-tv customers, although Skys recent 6.9bn acquisition of its European sister companies, Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland, has given the Sky group a European advantage over BT.
Still, BTs and Skys battle over pay-tv customers will come to a head this year as the two groups fight overthe rights to televise the English Premier League.
Around 57% of Skys content is sport, so the company needs to retain these rights to maintain its current offering. Unfortunately, BT is well aware how important these rights are to Sky, so BTis planning to spend billions trying to snatch these rights away. Sky is unlikely to let BT win easily.
Overall, the fight between BT and Sky is too close to call. Thats why the best way for investors to profit is to use a basket approach, buying both companies as well as Vodafone.
Theres no denying the fact that Sky and BT are expensive but when combined with Vodafone they make a perfect, defensive dividend portfolio.BT currently trades at a forward P/E of 13.1and is set to support a dividend yield of 3.2% next year. Meanwhile, Skycurrently trades at a forward P/E of 15.8 and is set to support a dividend yield of 3.7% next year.
Your own research
But don’t just take my word for it, you should always conduct your own research before making any trading decision. To help you build a portfolio suited to your own needsand requirements,The Motley Fool is here to help.
The Fool’sbrand-new reportexplainshow spending just 20 minutes a month could help you create a portfolio that could bring you closer to financial freedomfor life. Entitled“How YouCould Retire Seriously Rich“, the report takes you throughthe seven key steps you need to take to become a stock market millionaire.
Click hereto check out the report–it’s completely free and comeswith nofurther obligation.
Get FREE Issues of The Motley Fool Collective
Get straightforward advice on whats really happening with the stock markets, direct to your inbox. Help yourself with our FREE email newsletter designed to help you protect and grow your portfolio wealth.
By providing your email address, you consent to receiving further information on our goods and services and those of our business partners. To opt-out of receiving this information click here. All information provided is governed by our Privacy Statement.
Rupert Hargreaves has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Sky. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.