Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Forecast for BCE Earnings

BCE, Inc. (NYSE:BCE) (TSE:BCE) – Analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q3 2026 EPS estimates for shares of BCE in a report released on Friday, November 21st. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the utilities provider will post earnings per share of $0.49 for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $0.48. The consensus estimate for BCE’s current full-year earnings is $1.94 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for BCE’s Q4 2026 earnings at $0.51 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $1.91 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.47 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $1.96 EPS.

BCE (NYSE:BCE) (TSE:BCE) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.57 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.05. BCE had a net margin of 1.96% and a return on equity of 18.89%. The firm had revenue of $4.34 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.14 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.75 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. BCE has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.910-1.980 EPS.

A number of other analysts have also recently commented on BCE. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of BCE in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. National Bankshares reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of BCE in a research report on Friday, August 15th. Wall Street Zen raised BCE from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. TD Securities upgraded shares of BCE from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of BCE from $22.00 to $21.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and five have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $29.00.

BCE Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BCE opened at $23.16 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.17, a current ratio of 0.61 and a quick ratio of 0.57. BCE has a 12 month low of $20.28 and a 12 month high of $27.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 79.85, a P/E/G ratio of 4.00 and a beta of 0.62. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $23.31 and its 200 day moving average price is $23.30.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BCE

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC purchased a new stake in shares of BCE during the 2nd quarter worth $3,181,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. increased its holdings in shares of BCE by 27.6% in the 2nd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 1,627,120 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $36,755,000 after purchasing an additional 352,151 shares in the last quarter. K.J. Harrison & Partners Inc acquired a new position in BCE during the second quarter worth about $4,644,000. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in BCE by 13.0% in the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 567,694 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $13,034,000 after buying an additional 65,230 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jump Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BCE during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $268,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 41.46% of the company’s stock.

BCE Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.4375 per share. This represents a $1.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. BCE’s payout ratio is 25.78%.

BCE Company Profile

BCE Inc, a communications company, provides wireless, wireline, Internet, and television (TV) services to residential, business, and wholesale customers in Canada. The company operates through two segments, Bell Communication and Technology Services, and Bell Media. The Bell Communication and Technology Services segment provides wireless products and services including mobile data and voice plans and devices; wireline products and services comprising data, including internet access, internet protocol television, cloud-based services, and business solutions, as well as voice, and other communication services and products; and satellite TV and connectivity services for residential, small and medium-sized business, government, and large enterprise customers.