JP Morgan sees U.S. telecom sector consolidation, T-Mobile deal

[January 23, 2017]  (Reuters) - U.S. telecom sector could be on the brink of a major consolidation under President Donald Trump's likely more merger-friendly administration, said JP Morgan Securities, which now sees a 90 percent chance of T-Mobile US being involved in a strategic transaction in the next five years.

T-Mobile could be involved in tie-up with Sprint Corp, or be acquired by a cable company, JP Morgan said, adding that a transaction involving Dish Network Corp or a sale to a foreign player that wants a foothold in the U.S. wireless market is also likely.

Sprint dropped its bid to acquire smaller rival T-Mobile in August 2014 due to continued regulatory resistance. (http://reut.rs/2ffrEYW)

A potential combination of Sprint and T-Mobile is seen as the most compelling, with the likelihood of a deal between the two wireless carriers now at more than 35 percent, up from 10 percent in September, with a 70 percent chance of approval, if announced, JP Morgan analyst Philip Cusick said.

Japan's Softbank Group, which owns more than 80 percent in Sprint, had pledged investment in the United States last year, reviving speculation that Sprint and T-Mobile may rekindle merger talks.

JP Morgan upgraded Deutsche Telekom, which owns almost 65 percent in T-Mobile, to "overweight" from "neutral" and raised its price target to 19.50 euros from 16.20 euros to reflect a 35 pct probability of a U.S. transaction.

The logo of T-Mobile Austria is seen outside of one of its shops in Vienna, Austria, February 25, 2016. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo - RTSRJ3F

"We believe that parents Softbank and Deutsche Telekom have increased their preference for a tie-up in the last six months and that the value of about $5 billion of annual synergies is enough to smooth over most disagreements on relative value," Cusick said.

Deutsche Telekom Chief Executive Tim Hoettges said in November that the company was "not in the mood" to sell T-Mobile, although it was watching for any change in the U.S. regulatory environment under Trump's administration.

Cusick estimated a 20 percent chance of T-Mobile continuing to operate as a standalone business in the next five years.

Shares of T-Mobile closed at $59.62 and Sprint at $8.93 on Friday. Deutsche Telekom shares closed at 16.42 euros.

(Reporting by Derek Francis and Geetha Panchaksharam in Bengaluru; Editing by Amrutha Gayathri)

[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.