What is Zacks Research's Forecast for BCE FY2024 Earnings?

BCE Inc. (NYSE:BCE - Free Report) TSE: BCE - Analysts at Zacks Research decreased their FY2024 earnings estimates for shares of BCE in a report issued on Wednesday, November 27th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the utilities provider will post earnings per share of $2.19 for the year, down from their previous estimate of $2.20. The consensus estimate for BCE's current full-year earnings is $2.14 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for BCE's Q4 2024 earnings at $0.54 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $0.50 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $0.52 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $2.12 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $0.53 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $0.54 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.56 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $2.16 EPS.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Canaccord Genuity Group reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of BCE in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on BCE from $48.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 19th. Canaccord Genuity Group downgraded BCE from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. National Bank Financial cut shares of BCE from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, September 30th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of BCE from $34.00 to $30.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $45.00.

BCE Price Performance

NYSE:BCE traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $27.05. 3,823,124 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,399,251. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26. The company has a market capitalization of $24.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 386.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.20 and a beta of 0.59. BCE has a 12 month low of $26.45 and a 12 month high of $41.77. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $31.13 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $32.90.

BCE Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 16th will be paid a $0.737 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 16th. This is a boost from BCE's previous quarterly dividend of $0.73. This represents a $2.95 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.90%. BCE's payout ratio is 4,214.29%.

Institutional Trading of BCE

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV boosted its holdings in BCE by 3,480.0% in the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,074 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,044 shares in the last quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake 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 worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 675 shares in the last quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. acquired a new position in shares of BCE during the 3rd quarter valued at about $51,000. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. raised its stake in shares of BCE by 60.0% in the 2nd quarter. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. now owns 1,600 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC raised its stake in shares of BCE by 321.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 1,663 shares of the utilities provider's stock valued at $58,000 after acquiring an additional 1,268 shares in the last quarter. 41.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.