Sydney, Feb 16, 2026, 18:06 AEDT — After-hours
- Telstra shares closed up 0.2% at A$4.95 on Monday
- Investors are bracing for Telstra’s half-year results on Feb. 19
- The benchmark ASX 200 ended the day up 0.22%
Telstra Group Ltd shares (TLS.AX) closed up 0.2% at A$4.95 on Monday, after trading between A$4.92 and A$4.99, with the stock still below its 52-week high of A$5.14. (Investing)
The move was small, but the calendar is tight. Telstra said its FY26 half-year results would be webcast on Thursday, Feb. 19, putting a widely held dividend stock back in play during Australia’s reporting rush. (Telstra)
The dividend timetable follows straight after. Telstra’s shares are set to trade ex-dividend on Feb. 25 — meaning buyers from that day do not get the payout — with a record date on Feb. 26 and payment pencilled in for March 27. (Telstra)
In the broader market, the S&P/ASX 200 closed 19.5 points higher, up 0.22%, helped by a sharp bounce in tech shares. Market Index said the communication services sector finished higher on the day. (Market Index)
For Telstra holders, this week is less about a single headline number and more about the mix: what it says on cash generation, the shape of costs, and whether management stays comfortable with its outlook.
Traders will also watch the mobile business read-through. ARPU — average revenue per user — and customer churn tend to matter because they hint at pricing power in a market where discounting can flare up fast.
The enterprise side is another pressure point. Investors will be listening for any detail on execution, especially where service delivery and simplification projects translate into dollars rather than slides.
Competition sits in the background. TPG Telecom and smaller broadband players keep pushing price and bundles, and Telstra’s premium positioning only works if network spending and service levels keep the gap obvious.
There is a downside case. A cautious tone on costs or customer trends can hit a stock trading near the top end of its 12-month range, and dividend-heavy names can lose favour quickly if bond yields rise.
