Optus is one of Australia's largest telecommunication brands, ranking just behind the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO)'s Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) in its market share of mobile phone services.
The telco giant is in hot water after hackers made off with the personal data of as many as 9.8 million current and former Optus customers last week.
And the negative press just keeps coming for the company.
The hackers reportedly released 10,000 customer records overnight. They're threatening to drop another 10,000 every day for the next four days unless the company pays a $1 million ransom, the Guardian reports.
Meanwhile, emerging reports state the hacker has deleted the data following monumental media attention.
The person seemingly behind the breach posted to an online forum saying "too many eyes", according to reporting by Sky News, cited by The Australian. The hacker was said to have continued:
Ransom not paid but we don't care any more. Was mistake to scrape publish data in first place.
With Optus hitting headlines left, right, and centre, many ASX market watchers might be wondering how they can get a hold of its shares. Sadly, the answer might be disappointing.
Are Optus shares listed on the ASX?
Investors won't find Optus shares listed on the ASX, and for a very good reason. The company isn't listed anywhere, anymore.
Optus is now a subsidiary of Singapore-listed Singapore Telecommunications Limited – more commonly known as SingTel.
SingTel acquired Australia's number two telco way back in 2001 in a deal worth around $17 billion.
Prior to that, Optus shares did indeed trade on the ASX.
SingTel offered shareholders up to $4.57 per share for their stake in the company in a part-scrip, part-cash deal. That represented a 20% premium on Optus shares' close price – $3.80 – on 9 March 2001.
Speaking on the bid, then Optus CEO Chris Anderson commented:
With this proposed transaction, Optus will grow from being a successful, highly competitive Australian entity to becoming part of a formidable regional player of stature, significance, and strength.
Following its takeover, shares in SingTel traded on the ASX for a few years. That allowed Aussies to keep a hold of part of their Optus stake.
However, the company delisted from the Aussie bourse in 2005.
Optus brought in $776 million of cash flow to SingTel over the 12 months ended 31 March 2022.
