While most ASX shares have been under pressure this year, one familiar blue-chip has quietly delivered a standout performance — much to the delight of investors who picked it up while the market was busy unwrapping festive uncertainty.
Which stock? The one in question is Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares.
Had you invested $10,000 in Telstra shares on Christmas Eve, when they were trading at just $4.04, you would have picked up approximately 2,475 shares.
Fast forward to Friday 11 April, and Telstra shares closed the week at $4.46. That means your original $10,000 investment would now be worth $11,038.50 — a tidy 10.4% capital gain in just over three months.
But wait — there's more!
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Don't forget the dividends
In February, Telstra released its half year results and delivered solid year on year growth thanks to its key mobile business.
This allowed the Telstra board to declare a fully franked interim dividend of 9.5 cents per share, which was up from 9 cents a year earlier.
This dividend was paid to eligible shareholders on 28 March 2025. That equates to approximately $235 in dividend income for someone holding 2,475 shares.
Add that to your capital gain, and your total return from Telstra shares since Christmas climbs to $11,273.50. That's a 12.7% return in less than four months — from a boring telco stock.
Telstra shares beat the broader market
To put things in perspective, the ASX 200 index has fallen 7% since Christmas, weighed down by global volatility, trade tensions, and tech sector weakness. Against that backdrop, Telstra's performance looks even more impressive.
While much of the market has been rattled, Telstra's defensive earnings, reliable dividends, and strong mobile market position have helped it hold its ground — and then some. The company continues to benefit from its infrastructure-heavy portfolio and is making gains in areas like enterprise, health, and 5G.
Boring can be beautiful
It may not be the most exciting share on the Australian share market, but Telstra has proven exactly why boring can be beautiful — especially during uncertain times.
For those who bought Telstra shares on Christmas Eve, it certainly has been a rewarding ride so far. And with its reliable yield, defensive characteristics, and potential for modest earnings growth, Telstra remains a solid anchor in any long-term portfolio — particularly when the market's storm clouds are still circling like they are right now. Here's hoping the rest of 2025 is just as successful.
