Aussies seek input on Telstra sale

Australian Finance Minister Nick Minchin will visit European and Japanese investors later this month to discuss the proposed sale of telco Telstra.

Minchin wants to get an idea of how much interest there is in world financial circles in the planned sale of the government's 51.8-percent stake in Telstra.

The trip, which will take Minchin to Tokyo and London, will take place after Easter and comes on the heels of Prime Minister John Howard's statement Thursday that the Telstra privatization sale might not go through if only low-ball offers are received. The government is expected to make a recommendation next month on going through with the sale.

Telstra's luster was dimmed by a recent earnings slump due to the defection of its fixed-line customers to wireless and Internet Protocol communications. The Financial Times said Friday that analysts see a dip in stock dividends as share prices struggle.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International

Related stories:

In Brief: Aussies might delay Telstra privatization
The planned privatization of Australian telecom major Telstra could be delayed due to regulatory uncertainties.
Apple's iPhone could find Asia tough to crack
The iPhone 3G, which Apple is billing as twice as fast and half as expensive as the debut model, will roll out in cities from Tokyo to Sydney on Friday -- but it could face challenges in Asia it will not have elsewhere.
In Brief: Macquarie Banks eyes Telstra stake
Macquarie Bank is reportedly interested in acquiring an interest in Telstra, possibly from the Australian government's stake in the national telecom.
In Brief: Australia said 'close' to Telstra plan
The Australian government is apparently getting closer to deciding on a plan for the sale of its majority stake in national telco Telstra.
Briefs: N.Z. Telecom to decide 3G tech by 2007
Telecom New Zealand will decide which technology it will use in its 3G wireless network by the end of the year, it was reported Monday.
Aussie banks likely to handle Telstra sale
Australia will likely turn to panels of bankers to manage the government's divestiture of its $20 billion stake in telecom giant Telstra.
Japan's Apple fans queue days before iPhone 3G launch
Japan's Apple fans traded sleep and comfort for the thrill of being first to buy the latest iPhone as they began queueing Wednesday, two days before it officially goes on sale here.
Art of deception: Crystal skulls in British, US museums were fakes
How about this for the next instalment of the Indy franchise: "Indiana Jones and the Dodgy Antiques Dealer"?

News discussion:

Technology news