Big telcos continue to raise their dividends

Article Excerpt

These two major telecommunication providers continue to spend heavily on improving their networks. That spending has increased their debt levels. However, better networks are helping each attract new customers. The extra cash flow will also help them both pay down debt and keep raising dividends. BCE INC. $54 (Toronto symbol BCE; Income-Growth Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 901.1 million; Market cap: $48.7 billion; Dividend yield: 5.6%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.bce.ca) is Canada’s largest traditional telephone service provider, with 6.3 million customers in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and the Atlantic provinces. It also has 3.8 million high-speed Internet users and 2.8 million TV subscribers. In addition, the company sells wireless services to 9.2 million users across Canada, and owns TV and radio stations. Starting with the April 2018 payment, BCE raised its quarterly dividend by 5.2%, to $0.755 a share from $0.7175. The new annual rate of $3.02 yields a high 5.6%. In March 2017, BCE completed its acquisition of Manitoba Telecom Services. That utility has 1.3…