BCE offers investors a bright future

Article Excerpt

BCE is a high-quality telecom, and its businesses were well-prepared to withstand COVID-19 slowdowns. Longer term, its newly-launched ultrafast 5G wireless networks will provide strong growth and boost cash flow to pay for dividend increases. BCE INC., $68.46, is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol BCE; Shares o/s: 910.9 million; Market cap: $62.1 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Divd. yield: 5.4%) is Canada’s largest traditional telephone service provider. It also offers wireless services and high-speed Internet access. That’s in addition to owning TV and radio stations. The company continues to benefit from strong demand for new mobile phones and high-speed Internet services. As well, the return of live sports is boosting advertising revenue at its media operations. Those gains offset lower sales of wireless and other equipment to businesses. In the quarter ended December 31, 2021, revenue rose 1.8%, to $6.21 billion from $6.10 billion a year earlier. BCE is paying higher income taxes as its businesses recover from 2020’s COVID-19 lockdowns. As a result, its…