Entropy Technologies LP Takes Position in BCE Inc. (NYSE:BCE)

Entropy Technologies LP acquired a new position in BCE Inc. (NYSE:BCE) (TSE:BCE) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 53,899 shares of the utilities provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,876,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. ESL Trust Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of BCE during the 1st quarter worth about $31,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its holdings in BCE by 3,480.0% during the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,074 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,044 shares in the last quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in BCE by 121.2% in the third quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,232 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 675 shares during the period. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. lifted its position in BCE by 60.0% in the second quarter. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. now owns 1,600 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the period. Finally, Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC boosted its stake in BCE by 321.0% during the 3rd quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 1,663 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 1,268 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 41.46% of the company’s stock.

BCE Stock Performance

Shares of BCE opened at $27.69 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $33.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $33.54. The stock has a market cap of $25.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 395.57, a PEG ratio of 4.26 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.62. BCE Inc. has a one year low of $27.11 and a one year high of $41.77.

BCE Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 16th will be paid a $0.737 dividend. This is a positive change from BCE’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.73. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 16th. This represents a $2.95 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.65%. BCE’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 4,228.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently commented on BCE. Cibc World Mkts raised BCE from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a “hold” rating on shares of BCE in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of BCE from $48.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 19th. National Bank Financial lowered shares of BCE from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, September 30th. Finally, Edward Jones lowered shares of BCE from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $45.00.

About BCE

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.