BCE (TSE:BCE) Sets New 52-Week Low – Time to Sell?

Shares of BCE Inc. (TSE:BCE) (NYSE:BCE) hit a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as C$36.87 and last traded at C$36.83, with a volume of 2873188 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$37.53.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BCE has been the topic of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of BCE from C$47.00 to C$45.00 in a research report on Monday, November 11th. TD Securities reduced their price objective on BCE from C$39.00 to C$37.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 3rd. National Bankshares lowered their target price on BCE from C$48.00 to C$42.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Scotiabank cut their price target on BCE from C$45.00 to C$42.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of BCE from C$46.00 to C$41.00 in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, BCE has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of C$44.68.

BCE Price Performance

The company has a market cap of C$33.13 billion, a PE ratio of 17.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.67 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 197.43. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of C$41.32 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$44.54.

BCE Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 15th will be given a $0.9975 dividend. This represents a $3.99 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.99%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 16th. BCE’s payout ratio is currently 185.58%.

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.