BCE (NYSE:BCE) Stock Price Down 0.6% - Should You Sell?

BCE Inc. (NYSE:BCE - Get Free Report) TSE: BCE shares were down 0.6% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $23.01 and last traded at $23.65. Approximately 838,337 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 74% from the average daily volume of 3,174,682 shares. The stock had previously closed at $23.79.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BCE has been the topic of several recent research reports. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of BCE in a research note on Monday, December 16th. They issued an "underweight" rating on the stock. Edward Jones lowered BCE from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Bank of America cut BCE from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Canaccord Genuity Group reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of BCE in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group cut BCE from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $45.00.

BCE Trading Up 2.5 %

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $24.22 and a 200 day simple moving average of $29.89. The firm has a market cap of $22.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 357.14, a P/E/G ratio of 3.94 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.62.

BCE Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 16th were issued a $0.737 dividend. This represents a $2.95 annualized dividend and a yield of 11.79%. This is an increase from BCE's previous quarterly dividend of $0.73. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 16th. BCE's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4,028.57%.

Institutional Trading of BCE

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in shares of BCE by 217.6% in the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,153 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 790 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in shares of BCE by 1,147.3% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,397 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,285 shares during the period. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC grew its position in shares of BCE by 121.2% during the 3rd quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,232 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 675 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its stake in shares of BCE by 67.6% in the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,981 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 799 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. bought a new position in BCE in the 3rd quarter worth $51,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 41.46% of the company's stock.

BCE Company Profile

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.