
TSE:BCE
Always been a fan, especially for clients who require cash flow. Because of its dividend, it’s considered interest sensitive and it gets sold off. Broad representation of the telecom industry. Management is on the ball. Safety factor is that they’re Canada-wide. Loves the dividend, you’re not looking for a big capital gain. Dividend increase in next year or so is quite likely. (Analysts’ price target is $59.52.)
All of the interest sensitives have been beaten up to some degree. People forget that this is an equity. With rising interest rates you are seeing it selling off. They have more wire-line business that the market does not think is the way of the future. They are doing great things but you have to remember that they are an equity. There will continue to be downward pressure to interest sensitives.
BCE is in a less favorable competitive position relative to their peers. They are on the verge of having to make large capital gains, like into fibre optics. However, they can now do so with better, more efficient technology than their peers. The shares do have the highest dividend yield of any of its peers and this why they hold it. He thinks he would add to positions if it were to drop into the mid-$40 range. Yield 5.7%.
The PE is around 17 with a payout ratio of 80-90% -- very high for a telco. They are in a good space in Canada and the stock may be impacted by the general move towards bonds. He is fearful of increasing regulation in Canada. The dividend is safe, he feels. Yield 5.8%. (Analysts’ price target is $59)
A long-term holding for him.. It has increased its dividends a lot over history, though the recent share price is lagging its peers. Dividend increases are going down. A few acquisitions like Manitbo Tel, could wring out some synergies, but there are no new purchaes to support future dividend growth.
It has had a nice correction and hit the ceiling at its fair market value. It is now trading at technical support and has a good yield. Yield 5.9%. (Analysts’ price target is $59.32)