Janus Henderson Group PLC Reduces Stake in BCE Inc. (NYSE:BCE)

Janus Henderson Group PLC has reduced its investment in BCE Inc. (NYSE:BCE) by 30.7% during the third quarter, as indicated in its latest SEC filing. Following this adjustment, the company now holds 17,398 shares of BCE, having sold 7,700 shares during the quarter. As of the end of the most recent quarter, these shares were valued at approximately $606,000.

Other investment firms have also changed their positions in BCE recently. For instance, Hexagon Capital Partners LLC increased its stake by 121.2% in the same period, owning 1,232 shares worth around $43,000 after acquiring an additional 675 shares. Also, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. initiated a new investment in BCE, valued at $51,000. In addition, Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC expanded its holdings by 321.0%, bringing its total to 1,663 shares valued at $58,000 after buying 1,268 shares. Fairscale Capital LLC made a new investment estimated at $76,000 in BCE during the second quarter, while Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. also acquired a new position worth about $201,000. Overall, institutional investors collectively own 41.46% of BCE’s stock.

Analyst Opinions on BCE

BCE has caught the attention of several analysts recently. Edward Jones downgraded the stock from a “buy” to a “hold” rating in a report dated November 5. On the same date, Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated its “hold” rating for BCE. BMO Capital Markets raised its price target for BCE from $48.00 to $51.00 and maintained a “market perform” rating as of September 19. Meanwhile, Barclays lowered its price target from $34.00 to $30.00 and issued an “equal weight” rating on November 11. In a similar vein, Canaccord Genuity Group again downgraded BCE’s rating from “buy” to “hold” on November 5. Currently, nine analysts rate BCE as a hold, one as a buy, and one has given it a strong buy rating. MarketBeat.com reports that BCE holds a consensus rating of “Hold” with an average price target of $45.00.

BCE Stock Performance

As of recent trading, BCE's stock opened at $25.52. The company's market capitalization is $23.28 billion, with a price-to-earnings ratio standing at 364.57, a PEG ratio of 4.04, and a beta of 0.54. BCE has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26, with a current ratio of 0.62 and a quick ratio of 0.60. Over the last fifty days, the stock averaged $29.51, while its 200-day moving average reached $32.40. The stock has seen a low of $25.24 and a high of $41.77 within the past year.

BCE's Dividend Increase

Recently, BCE announced an increase in its quarterly dividend, set to be distributed on January 15 to stockholders who are on record as of December 16. The upcoming payment will be $0.737 per share, translating to an annualized dividend of $2.95, yielding 11.55%. This is a rise from the previous quarterly dividend of $0.73. The ex-dividend date is also December 16, and BCE has a dividend payout ratio (DPR) of an extraordinary 4,214.29%.

About BCE Inc.

BCE Inc. is a major communications company in Canada, offering a wide range of services in wireless, wireline, Internet, and television (TV) to residential, business, and wholesale customers. The company is divided into two core segments: Bell Communication and Technology Services and Bell Media. The former provides a variety of wireless products and services, including mobile plans, data services, and cloud-based offerings, as well as traditional voice and satellite TV services for various client types, from individuals to large enterprises.

BCE, Stocks, Investment