New acquisitions a good fit for BCE

Article Excerpt

BCE is using its strong cash flow of almost $6 billion a year to make acquisitions and add to its services. That will help fuel the company’s long-term growth. It will also let BCE keep expanding and improving its wireless and high-speed Internet networks, buying back shares and paying (and possibly raising) its dividend. BCE INC. $33.76 (Toronto symbol BCE; Shares outstanding: 755.6 million; Market cap: $25.5 billion; SI Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 5.4%; www.bce.ca) provides telephone and Internet services in Ontario and Quebec. It also sells wireless and satellite-TV services across Canada. In the three months ended June 30, 2010, BCE’s revenue rose 3.3%, to $4.4 billion from $4.3 billion in the prior year. Before one-time items, earnings rose 32.8%, to $0.77 from $0.58. Strong demand for wireless and television services offset falling revenue from the company’s traditional telephone operations. As well, the company bought “The Source” chain of electronics stores in 2009, as well as the remaining…