Peter Hodson BCE Inc. BCE-T WEAK BUY Mar 27, 2025

The worst is likely over here, and we think a dividend cut would actually be well-received by investors at this point. We would regard it as a HOLD but could be accumulated (slowly) into any new weakness that develops. 
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Dividend seems likely to be ratcheted back to get cashflow back up. Challenging time for most telecom stocks. Earnings will be challenged for this name, because of types of businesses it's in. He wants growth.

Telco sector sees steady demand keeping it defensive, but not a growth rocket. Facing stiff competition, regulatory issues, underperforming the sector index. Cost-cutting and asset sales. Cheap. Juicy yield of 8.5%. If you're in it for the yield, and you can stomach the volatility, cost cuts could pay off in the long run.

At these levels, this whole area is a buy. Needs to cut dividend, but that could actually be a catalyst for the stock.

Yield is about 12.2% right now, with talk of a cut; she thinks chance of that is greater than 50%. Institutional investors want the cut, retail investors don't. If cut, stock price would probably go up. If you have a very long time horizon, thinks you can do well. Likes its critical infrastructure.

Was doing a bit better this year, but then came off again. Stock may have reached a bottom. A bit further behind Telus in the buildout of fibre to the home. Telus announced potential sale of towers; if BCE were to do that, dividend wouldn't necessarily need to be cut.

He actually likes both. Looking at price action over the last few days, these names have held up rather well. Sector's bottomed out. Both names have high dividend yields, tremendous FCF, lots of opportunity going forward to buy back stock. Worst is over for the sector, phenomenal opportunity.

With BCE, you should anticipate a dividend cut; this would be fine with him, as it will free up $$ to reduce debt and possibly buy back stock. If that happens, it would be a positive rather than causing the bottom to fall out of the stock. Investment community wants it to cut the dividend, reduce debt, and undertake a better allocation strategy. Still throwing off significant cashflow. Too early to say if it overpaid for the Ziply acquisition.

Telus has done better, with better growth. Invested in other things to diversify its business. 

Dirt cheap. Multiple is ~10-10.5x PE. Market's lost confidence. FCF generated is roughly in line with the dividend, but looks undercovered relative to earnings. If dividend were to get cut, would be a positive catalyst. US acquisition will suck cashflow.

People own it for the dividend, not for growth. Cash cow. If management retrenches, there's a path to getting a better multiple. Very little downside. Buy here if you want income.

Troubled. The business is becoming more and more competitive. Can't cover the dividend. Company claims that when massive fibre build is complete, dividend will be covered; most investors don't believe that. If dividend were cut, stock would go up. Yield is 12%.

He's a more aggressive investor than the rest of his team. He'd say it's a speculative buy now; BCE is not going away.

Relatively high yield. Defensive sector. Elevated payout ratio, rising debt, and weak growth outlook present too many risks. Hasn't done that poorly this year. 12-month price target of $34.75. If you're concerned, you could sell 1/4 or 1/3 as a sacrificial lamb.