BCE (NYSE:BCE) Updates FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

BCE (NYSE:BCE) (TSE:BCE) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 1.798-1.919 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 1.900. The company issued revenue guidance of $17.9 billion-$18.6 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $18.2 billion.

BCE Trading Up 0.4%

BCE traded up $0.10 during trading on Friday, reaching $22.86. 488,520 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,656,268. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.32 billion, a PE ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.84. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $22.61 and its 200 day moving average is $24.15. BCE has a 12 month low of $20.87 and a 12 month high of $26.52.

BCE (NYSE:BCE) (TSE:BCE) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The utilities provider reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.46 by $0.01. BCE had a return on equity of 13.87% and a net margin of 25.66%.BCE has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.798-1.919 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that BCE will post 1.85 earnings per share for the current year.

BCE Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th will be issued a $0.4375 dividend. This represents a $1.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.7%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 15th. BCE’s dividend payout ratio is 25.81%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have commented on BCE shares. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of BCE in a research note on Friday, July 10th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of BCE from $26.00 to $25.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 16th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of BCE in a research note on Friday, May 29th. TD Securities upgraded shares of BCE from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. Finally, Raymond James Financial started coverage on BCE in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. They set a “market perform” rating on the stock. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $30.00.

Key Stories Impacting BCE

Here are the key news stories impacting BCE this week:

• Positive Sentiment: BCE reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of $0.47 per share, narrowly exceeding the $0.46 analyst consensus, while revenue also topped estimates. Earnings were up from $0.46 per share a year earlier. BCE Q2 Earnings and Revenues Top Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Bell Media revenue benefited from FIFA World Cup programming, providing a boost to the media division despite weaker consolidated profitability. FIFA World Cup Helps Lift Bell Media Revenues
• Positive Sentiment: The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4375 per share, equivalent to approximately $1.75 annually and a yield of about 7.7%. The payout may support income-oriented investors, with the ex-dividend date and record date listed as September 15.
• Neutral Sentiment: BCE maintained a large income appeal but continues to carry elevated leverage, reflected in a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.84. Its low forward valuation and dividend yield may attract value investors, while balance-sheet risk remains an important consideration.
• Negative Sentiment: Although quarterly earnings beat estimates, BCE said overall second-quarter profit declined, tempering the impact of the revenue and EPS outperformance. BCE Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results
• Negative Sentiment: Fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $1.798–$1.919 brackets the $1.90 consensus, with the midpoint below expectations. The revenue outlook of $17.9–$18.6 billion is broadly in line with the $18.2 billion consensus, suggesting limited room for upside.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BCE

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in BCE during the 4th quarter worth approximately $486,000. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of BCE by 10.9% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,875,714 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $44,680,000 after purchasing an additional 183,691 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in BCE by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 17,601 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $419,000 after acquiring an additional 599 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its stake in shares of BCE by 11.6% in the fourth quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,254,977 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $53,072,000 after purchasing an additional 234,973 shares during the last quarter. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of BCE in the fourth quarter worth about $1,399,000. 41.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About BCE

BCE Inc (NYSE: BCE) is a Canadian communications, media and entertainment company that operates through its primary subsidiaries, including Bell Canada and Bell Media. As a large integrated telecommunications provider, BCE delivers a broad range of connectivity services and content to residential, business and wholesale customers across Canada. The company combines network infrastructure with media assets to offer bundled communications and entertainment solutions.

On the services side, BCE provides fixed-line and wireless voice services, mobile data, high-speed internet, fibre and broadband access, and television services through platforms such as Bell Fibe and Bell TV.