Why is the Telstra share price trailing the ASX 200 on Monday?

Why aren't Telstra shares enjoying some gains today?

Sebastian Bowen

Author Bio Sebastian Bowen has been a Motley Fool contributor since late 2018. Sebastian found his passion for writing and educating others about shares and all things finance after completing his studies in political, economic and social science and enjoys bringing this passion to life at the Fool. His investment philosophy is a simple one – buying high-quality companies at prices that make sense. When he’s not researching his next investment at all hours of the morning, Sebastian enjoys classic movies and likes to unwind with a good book, newspaper or record. Areas of Expertise Dividend investing ETFs Education Bachelor of Political, Economic, and Social Sciences (Government and International Relations), University of Sydney Social Media X/Twitter Favorite Investment Quote "In the short run, the market is a voting machine, but in the long run, it is a weighing machine." – Benjamin Graham

Published November 7, 2022 2:51 pm AEDT

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a very pleasing start to the week so far during this Monday's trading session. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 has gained a healthy 0.44% and is back over 6,920 points. But we can't say quite the same for the Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) share price.

Telstra shares seem to have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. While the markets were enjoying some time in the sun. Telstra shares opened at $3.88 this morning, below the $3.90 the ASX 200 telco closed at last week.

After a brief stint in positive territory around lunchtime today, the Telstra share price is back in the red so far this afternoon and is now going for $3.89, down 0.13% for the day.

So what might be happening with Telstra shares that have excluded this company from the gains the broader market is enjoying?

A man talking on his mobile phone looks uncertain. — Image source: Getty Images

Why is the Telstra share price having a stroppy Monday?

Well, it's hard to say. Telstra hasn't put out any news or announcements today. Or indeed, over this month so far. But we can see that it's not just Telstra that the markets are feeling lukewarm about this Monday. Telstra's fellow telco TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG) is also having a lacklustre day. Its shares are presently flat at $4.82 each.

Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB) is faring worse again. The Aussie Broadband share price is currently down by a nasty 2.39% at $2.45 a share.

That's despite no news out of any of these companies either.

So we can only conclude that the markets just aren't in a buying mood when it comes to ASX communications shares. Indeed, the communications sector is one of only four ASX 200 sectors in the red today. So it doesn't seem to be a Telstra-specific problem that is dampening investor appetites for the telco's shares this Monday.

At the current Telstra share price, the ASX 200 telco remains down by 7.6% in 2022 so far. Telstra has a trailing dividend yield of 4.23% at this share price.

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