Telstra has sold a majority stake in its shrinking directories business Sensis to a US-based private equity investor, as it builds up a multi-billion dollar stockpile of cash to fund investment and, possibly, higher returns for shareholders.

Telstra has sold a majority stake in its shrinking directories business Sensis to a US-based private equity investor, as it builds up a multi-billion dollar stockpile of cash to fund investment and, possibly, higher returns for shareholders.