BCE Clears a Hurdle

Article Excerpt

BCE INC. $34.83 (Toronto symbol BCE; SI Rating: Above-Average) is now closer to a takeover after a Quebec court dismissed a class-action lawsuit launched by the company’s bondholders. The ruling improves the chances that the $42.75-a-share acquisition of the company by a group led by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan will succeed. The stock is now trading at roughly 18% below the offer, partly because the deal still requires regulatory approval. In addition, the problems in the credit markets could make it harder for the consortium to issue the bonds it needs to finance the takeover. BCE’s share price would suffer at least in the short term if the deal falls through. But at its current price, BCE remains attractive for its income and growth prospects. The shares now trade at just 12.6 times earnings, and have a dividend yield of 4.2%. BCE is still a buy. buy…