
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.
This gives you stable growth, strong free cash flow and a very steady dividend growth. Dividend is very attractive at 4.5%. Going forward, the average revenue per user of wireless, smart phones, etc., is expected to move higher as there is greater consumption as people move from 3G to 4G and continue to buy more powerful smart phones and tablets. They recently signed an exclusive agreement with HBO, which has great content. However, if interest rates start to move higher, some of the telcos do start to weaken. He is not as concerned about this in Canada.
AT&T (T-N) or BCE (BCE-T) for dividends? Although they are both mega names in the telco space, they are quite different, primarily because the telco space in the US is much more competitive, which means price wars. The margins are much thinner in the US. AT&T’s share price since about mid-2012 has really done nothing. He would sell AT&T and buy this.
He bought on the breakout at around $55. When you see a long base like this one had, followed by a break out, you should think about getting in. The chart shows lots and lots of upside. Has already seen a bit of a challenge near its old high of around $59. If it can break through $59, it will look pretty good. He is in it for the next number of months.
At current levels this is looking a little bit expensive. Has had a great run. Just put up a fantastic quarter, but there were some one-time items in the quarter that may not be recurring. Stock is still pretty attractive with about a 4.5% yield. There will still be some dividend growth on top of this of about 5%-7%. Wait for a pullback before buying.
Really had a nice beat today with $0.93 versus $0.84. Thinks the problem with the telecom space is that the whole area got bid up fairly highly. Trading at around 18X versus its 14X five-year average. He likes it and it has been doing really well, but it’s a name that he would add to on some sort of weakness.
Doesn’t own any Canadian telcos because there are several potential headwinds. Looking at wireless, LTE penetration has really peaked in Canada, so you are going to see many incremental pricing gains. Looking at the cable business, you are going to be challenged by cord cutting. This is a pretty invasive theme in the US. The free cash flow yield is 5% and you are going to get dividend growth. You are probably going to get a better entry point here.
He has a stop/loss on this, only because if pension funds start selling this is one of their big picks and he might have to get out. Likes the structure where they are changing over the deal that they did with HBO. They are kind of competing with Rogers (RCI.B-T), not on the cable side, but on the content side. Dividend yield of 4.82%.