Telus (TU here in the States, T up north)stock took quite a big 4th quarter hit, reporting a $156 million (45%) drop in profits. But don’t be too worried about the Vancouver-based telecom company, as this loss seems to be the result of them gearing up for the future. In an act similar to Manchester United’s sale of soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo to Spanish giant Real Madrid (MU sold Ronaldo for $131 million, but used that money to pay off debt, rather than have it contribute to profit), Telus has been busy improving infrastructure, including their HSPA network, and preparing to fight off new entrants into the Canadian market, not to mention simply fighting through the rough global economy.

While earnings per share have dropped farther than analysts predicted (55 cents per share expected, 49 cents per share actual), Telus isn’t likely to be going away, with its $1 billion earnings for the year.