Brokerages Set BCE Inc. (NYSE:BCE) PT at $45.00

Shares of BCE Inc. (NYSE:BCE - Get Free Report) TSE: BCE have earned an average rating of "Reduce" from the twelve analysts that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $40.50.

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Bank of America downgraded shares of BCE from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on BCE in a research note on Monday, December 16th. They issued an "underweight" rating on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group cut BCE from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a "hold" rating on shares of BCE in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Edward Jones lowered BCE from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BCE

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its stake in BCE by 19.3% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 7,600 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $246,000 after buying an additional 1,230 shares in the last quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC lifted its position in BCE by 39.9% in the 3rd quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 9,996 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $348,000 after acquiring an additional 2,852 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC lifted its position in BCE by 12.9% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 8,305 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $289,000 after acquiring an additional 947 shares in the last quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in BCE by 121.2% in the 3rd quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,232 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 675 shares during the period. Finally, Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC increased its holdings in BCE by 321.0% during the 3rd quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 1,663 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 1,268 shares in the last quarter. 41.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

BCE Trading Up 1.7 %

NYSE:BCE traded up $0.38 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $22.52. 3,749,317 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,735,207. The company's 50 day moving average is $24.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $29.69. The company has a market capitalization of $20.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 187.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.91 and a beta of 0.57. BCE has a twelve month low of $21.87 and a twelve month high of $38.21. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26.

BCE (NYSE:BCE - Get Free Report) TSE: BCE last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.53 by $0.03. BCE had a return on equity of 17.89% and a net margin of 0.99%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that BCE will post 2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

BCE Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 14th will be given a dividend of $0.6965 per share. This represents a $2.79 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 12.37%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 14th. BCE's dividend payout ratio is currently 2,350.00%.

About BCE

BCE Inc, a communications company, provides wireless, wireline, Internet, and television (TV) services to residential, business, and wholesale customers in Canada. The company operates through two segments, Bell Communication and Technology Services, and Bell Media. The Bell Communication and Technology Services segment provides wireless products and services including mobile data and voice plans and devices; wireline products and services comprising data, including internet access, internet protocol television, cloud-based services, and business solutions, as well as voice, and other communication services and products; and satellite TV and connectivity services for residential, small and medium-sized business, government, and large enterprise customers.