It has been a difficult year for equity investors having found little solace in the Canadian market particularly with a majority of its sectors trading in the red. However, not all sectors have been exposed to this same fate. The S&P/TSX Telecommunication index has been a top performer presenting double digit returns so far this year. As today’s Hot Charts shows, the sector recently recorded a new cyclical high, advancing a maximum of 14.0% YTD. Bolstering these dynamics is the fact that all constituents of the Telecom sector are recording gains in 2011. Despite the recent strength in price this sector continues to attract attention for its relatively large dividend yield (4.6%) which continues to trade above its 5-year average rate. It also provides 180 basis points in additional yield pickup relative to the 2.8% rate provided by the S&P/TSX composite. We expect this sector to continue providing solid refuge for investors seeking dividend distribution in a risk-averse world.