BCE Inc. (BCE.TO)

In the midst of Canada's technical recession, you have to think about what kind of investor you are. A basket of telcos can be used as a bond proxy, as it'll provide income in your portfolio. Income can then be used to protect you defensively on the downside, or to redeploy into growthier names. It gives your portfolio some ballast.

It's an income story, not a growth story. Doesn't see much problem if you hold it longer term. If Telus cut its dividend, he'd probably buy. 

Ask yourself this:  If he gave you the same amount of $$ you already have invested, would you buy the stock again? The world has changed. Premium pricing has come to an end. Valuation compression might be over. 

Owns it, but it's on a very short leash (ultimately to be recycled into something else). Yield is 5%.

Telcos have been under pressure for quite a while, extremely volatile. She owns none of them. Until she sees a sector turnaround, she's staying clear.

This name is still one of the Big 3. Still using capital to push into the US via Ziply. Good move to sell sports stake to Rogers. Rebuilding balance sheet, pivoting to fibre as the growth story. Turnaround still has some work to do, but it's taking the right steps.

Their dividend cut surprised the market. They did it to invest in the US. Shareholders depend on the dividend, so they sold. 

Cut dividend by 56%. Peak phone ownership is a headwind. Interesting story, not largely talked about, is its AI Fabric data centres. Like a sovereign Canadian AI play -- could create tailwinds. Other areas for better income.

Pricing pressure in the sector. Doesn't see appetite for another big telecom merger anytime soon. 

In the sector, he'd probably look at BCE or RCI.B.

His firm really doesn't buy turnaround situations. He wants things that are good and getting better, with positive catalysts and technically sound. As the stock comes off the bottom, you have all these people just itching to sell and get their money back.

Won't be a market leader anytime soon. Better places for your $$. If you can take a tax loss, he'd step aside.

The Saskatchewan data centre is positive news, but represents short-term pain for long-term gain. The deal reduces BCE's free cash flow this year from $3.5B to $2.3B, with $1.7B allocated to the project. For investors worried about capital expenditures, this may be troubling. However, it's likely the right long-term strategic move to generate higher-growth diversified revenue. Unlock Premium - Try 5i Free

It's likely seen its low last year. Not sure about their US investment, and faces competition in Canada. Just announced a data centre builld in Saskatchewan, which will increase capex short term, but beneficial long term. A good move. She hasn't returned to the stock yet, but is watching how the data centre plays out.

He'd own it for income, not expecting a lot of capital growth. Gives you a bit of stability and a nice dividend yield. Will struggle to grow. Improved share value over time by cutting costs and buying back shares.

In a taxable account, could consider selling for a tax loss (and maybe buy back after 30 days).