Timely acquisitions spur BCE

Growth by acquisition can be risky, but BCE’s size lets it take advantage of attractive opportunities with a strong chance of success. Some, like its $3.2-billion purchase of Astral Media, further diversify its operations. Others, such as Bell Aliant, offer a low-risk way to expand… Read More

Special Report on Canadian Dividend Stocks

We still think investors will profit most—and with the least risk—by buying shares of well-established, dividend-paying stocks with strong business prospects.
These are companies that have strong positions in healthy industries. They also have strong management that will make the right moves to remain competitive in… Read More

BCE INC. $48 – Toronto symbol BCE

BCE INC. $48 (Toronto symbol BCE; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 827.7 million; Market cap: $39.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.8; Dividend yield: 5.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.bce.ca) is Canada’s largest provider of telephone services, with 5.0 million customers in… Read More

Two more telcos for steady income

These two telecom firms face the same regulatory hurdles as Telus (see page 101). But like Telus, they’re improving their services while keeping their operating costs down. That will let them both maintain their high dividend yields, but we prefer BCE for its greater geographic… Read More

BCE INC. $48 – Toronto symbol BCE

BCE INC. $48 (Toronto symbol BCE; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 778.3 million; Market cap: $37.4 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.8; Dividend yield: 5.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.bce.ca) has agreed to pay $3.95 billion in cash and stock for the 56%… Read More