
TSE:BCE
This summary was created by AI, based on 45 opinions in the last 12 months.
BCE Inc. has undergone significant changes recently, including a 56% dividend cut to reinvest in growth, particularly in AI and data centre infrastructure. While the dividend remains appealing for income-focused investors, many analysts express concerns about stock appreciation potential due to intense price competition within the telecom industry and pressures from new entrants like Freedom Mobile and Quebecor. Although BCE is noted as a key player among Canadian telcos, opinions diverge on its growth trajectory, with some seeing potential long-term benefits from its strategic shifts, while others believe the company's core business faces ongoing headwinds. The sentiment towards BCE suggests it is viewed more as a defensive income investment rather than a growth opportunity, leaving investors split on whether it represents a buying opportunity or a risk in the current market environment.
Last year, the 12-month price was up 5.8% compared to Rogers (RCI.B-T) at 26% and Cogeco (CGO-T) and 27%. The dividend yield is at 5%. The acquisitions they have been making doesn't change the landscape at all. This is fine for the widows and orphans, but don't be suckered in to buying a high yield stocks, because if you are not getting the dividend growth with it, you are not getting a whole lot of capital appreciation.
Telus (T-T) or Bell Canada (BCE-T)? He owns both. They are very similar, especially in the Canadian marketplace given how small the market is. You can own both. It's the idea of having some diversification in the portfolio. Both pay a great dividend and have a history of raising the dividend. The dividend on this is about 4.8%. If yield is important to you, and you are retired, you are likely to lean more towards this because of the greater yield. It has a very low beta, one of the lowest on the TSX. A name you can live with in both good and bad times.
Bell Canada (BCE-T) or Telus (T-T)? He owns all 3 Canadian telcos, because people are addicted to their cell phones, which is why he loves cell phone companies. There has been a little rotation out of interest sensitive companies, but he sees many, many years of earnings growth. Prefers Rogers (RCI.B-T) out of the 3, as he thinks they have better assets and faster growth.
After a very nice uptrend for the last few years, it’s been consolidating sideways for 2 years. There hasn't been any significant price erosion in the last 2 years, which means that it is a continuation of the prevailing trend, which is up. A dividend yielding, low volatility stock, and the investors tend to be more patient. The key support level is somewhere around $57. As long as it stays above that, this is fine.
This company has done a bunch of things very right, but at the inception were considered very wrong. Their capital expenditure will continue to go down, and they don't have the risk profile of Telus (T-T). With their fibre business, they are miles ahead of any of the other telcos. This will slowly give you a good 6%-8% rate of return. Also, they’ve done some very good acquisitions.
There are some structural challenges in wire line telecoms, which historically get tied to interest rates. We have seen the secular long-term low in interest rates in June 2016, and we are unlikely to revisit them. Expect that rates move higher from here. This is not the #1 company he would choose in the group. Prefers Telus (T-T).
Bell, Telus (T-T) and Rogers (RCI.B-T) has 90% of the market share. Great margins for all of them. We are moving more towards a higher margin business of wireless, and away from a phone that you pick up and dial at home. He likes the space. It is a steady type of area, and you are getting a nice dividend. Dividend yield of 4.85%.
He is more bullish on this because the valuation relative to the sector is cheap. Over the next 2 to-3 years, this company is really going to outperform, and it’s all about the fibre to the home. They are going to hook up about 9 million homes, and are about a 3rd to a half through. This has a tremendous amount of free cash flow yielding about 6%. Dividend yield of 4.6%. (Analysts’ price target is $62.)
Have done a really excellent job in rolling out their 5 network and Platform 5 to the home. This is the most well diversified and consistent business. It’s not trading at an expensive multiple. Pays almost 5% in dividend.