BCE is Attracting Bids

Article Excerpt

BCE INC. $37.59 (Toronto symbol BCE; SI Rating: Above-Average) is now in discussions with a consortium of three big Canadian pension plans and U.S.-based private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts about a takeover. This has raised the possibility of a bidding war for the company, since the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is putting together its own group with some other pension funds. Other groups could also enter the bidding. The takeover bids have arisen partly from recent regulatory changes that make it easier for established phone providers like BCE to compete with cable companies. The changes greatly enhance BCE’s long-term prospects, and should help it extract a high bid. It could take several weeks before the first formal offer emerges. The price on the successful bid will depend on market conditions and other factors, but could reach the mid-$40s. BCE is still a buy. buy…