Superloop versus Aussie Broadband shares: Buy, sell or hold?

There is one winner among the two telcos.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points
  • Macquarie maintains an outperform rating for Superloop with a $3.30 target price, indicating a 34.1% upside, as it's less impacted by Telstra's price cuts compared to Aussie Broadband.
  • Aussie Broadband is rated neutral by Macquarie with a $5.10 target price, implying a 4.5% upside, but faces headwinds from Telstra's price reductions due to its premium service focus.
  • Macquarie prefers Superloop in the telco space due to its resilient positioning against Telstra's pricing strategy and unaffected earnings projections.

Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC) and Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB) are two small-cap Aussie telco companies that offer broadband, mobile, and other services. Both companies have seen robust year-to-date share price growth thanks to solid financial results and climbing investor confidence. But when it comes to 2026, there is one clear winner.

Superloop shares are trading 2.37% lower in Tuesday afternoon trading, at $2.46 per share. For the year to date, the shares are 14.12% higher.

Meanwhile, Aussie Broadband shares are also trading in the red at the time of writing, down 2.3% to $4.88 each. For the year to date, the shares have rocketed 37.71% higher.

In a new note to investors this morning, analysts at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) have updated their outlook on the two shares. Here's what the broker had to say.

A woman wearing headphones looks delighted and animated on news she's receiving from her mobile phone that she is holding close to her face.

Image source: Getty Images

Macquarie's outlook on Superloop shares

In a note to investors, Macquarie analysts confirmed their outperform rating and $3.30 target price on Superloop shares.

At the time of writing, this implies a potential 34.1% upside ahead for investors over the next 12 months.

"Recent price-cuts by Telstra on NBN plans (500 mbps: $113 to $99) will dilute the growth tailwind from NBN speed changes," Macquarie explained in its investor note.

But the broker said that it thinks Superloop's exposure to Telstra price moves is limited and estimates that less than 10% of potential new Superloop customers will be impacted by these changes. Meanwhile, it expects Aussie Broadband's exposure to be greater given its premium-end service offering. 

"We also think that an upcoming ACCC ruling on Symbio revenues could also have up to -8% impact on VA consensus EBITDA forecasts for FY27E," Macquarie analysts said.

"Our pick in [the telco] space is SLC, noting that its P/E valuation has declined by -3x P/E since Aug-25 (-0.4x more than ABB), despite being under-indexed to the impact of TLS' price change."

Macquarie's outlook on Aussie Broadband shares

Macquarie analysts also confirmed their neutral rating and $5.10 target price on Aussie Broadband shares. The shares were last downgraded by the broker in November.

At the time of writing, this still implies that there could be an additional 4.5% upside for investors over the next 12 months.

As mentioned above, the main reason for the less optimistic outlook on the shares is Aussie Broadband's exposure to headwinds from recent Telstra price changes.

"Whilst we still believe NBN customer churn will be a tailwind to the Challengers, we note that recent TLS price cuts in Nov-25 caused us to downgrade our view on ABB from Outperform to Neutral. Given its higher OpEx model and focus on providing premium service (Australian call-centres) product to consumers, we expect ABB's Residential business to be over-indexed to TLS, and thus more sensitive to the impact of TLS' recent price cuts," the broker explained.

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Aussie Broadband and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Aussie Broadband. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Communication Shares

A kid and his grandad high five after a fun game of basketball.
52-Week Highs

Telstra just hit a 10-year high. Has this ASX income giant still got more to give?

Telstra’s breakout to a multi-year high is turning heads.

Read more »

A gavel is placed on a stand on a desk with a legal representative wearing a suit in the background.
Communication Shares

The Kyle and Jackie O saga continues, with a massive new legal claim filed

ARN Media has fielded its second massive legal claim in as many weeks.

Read more »

Five young people sit in a row having fun and interacting with their mobile phones.
Communication Shares

Forget Telstra shares! Buy this fast-rising ASX 200 telco stock instead

A top fund manager expects this surging ASX 200 telco stock could deliver more earnings upgrades.

Read more »

A man wearing a colourful shirt holds an old fashioned phone to his ear with a look of curiosity on his face as though he is pondering the answer to a question.
Communication Shares

Is the Telstra share price a buy after increasing mobile plan prices?

Is this a good time to invest in Telstra shares?

Read more »

ASX bank share price represented by white Piggy Banks on green background
Communication Shares

A major funding move is lifting this ASX stock today

EVT shares rise after securing new $750 million debt facility.

Read more »

Two male ASX investors and executives wearing dark coloured suits sit at a table holding their mobile phones discussing the highest trading ASX 200 shares today
Communication Shares

Guess which ASX 200 telco stock is jumping 7% today

Investors have responded positively to the release of this telco's results.

Read more »

Man puts hands in the air and cheers with head back while holding phone and coffee.
Communication Shares

Can Telstra Group shares keep soaring after hitting a 10-year high?

After a strong rally, expect slower gains—not another surge.

Read more »

Two little boys playing with helmets dressed up in suits.
Communication Shares

Which media company's shares are on the slide after big legal news?

This potential court battle could be worth tens of millions of dollars.

Read more »