Topic: How To Invest

Dividend Advisor Hotline – Friday, February 24, 2017

Article Excerpt

BCE INC., $58.16, Toronto symbol BCE, is Canada’s largest traditional telephone service provider, with 6.3 million customers in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. It also has 3.5 million high-speed Internet users and 2.7 million TV subscribers. In addition, the company sells wireless services to 8.5 million users across Canada, and owns TV and radio stations. Starting with the April 2017 payment, BCE will increase its quarterly payment by 5.1%, to $0.7175 a share from $0.6825. The new annual rate of $2.87 yields a high 4.9%. The company has now received the final regulatory approvals for its acquisition of MANITOBA TELECOM SERVICES INC., $39.22, Toronto symbol MBT. That utility has 1.3 million telephone and wireless customers in Manitoba. BCE is paying $40.00 a share for the business. Under the terms of the deal, Manitoba Tel shareholders can choose either $40 in cash or 0.6756 shares of BCE for every MBT share they hold. Manitoba Tel investors have until March 14, 2017, to make their…