Investment Q&A

Q: BCE has dropped in value significantly. Heavy debt load is putting pressure on sustainability of dividend growth and people are talking about a dividend cut.

Can you give us your view of what the optimal capital structure would be for BCE relative to the current leverage? And whether you see the decline in share price as a buying opportunity. Thank you.

Q: Was there any discussion, either in the earnings release or the conference call, about the dividend sustainability, dividend growth, etc?

I own what used to be a full position and with the continued decline, was considering topping it back up...some soon then the rest later in the year. No rush to deploy the cash...it's sitting in RBF2010, earning 4.55%.

Thanks for your help...much appreciated...Steve

Q: Comments please on earnings release today? Thank you.

Q: Seen most of my Telecoms including Telus and Rogers depreciating in value, is this a lack of confidence in these investments?
Do you believe the dividend rates will might be cut?
Long term, do you feel a recovery is in sight?
Thanks in advance for your great service! Ted

Q: Hello 5i team,
I currently hold Telus and was thinking of switching to BCE since the dividend is larger. It seems telcos are not doing well over the past few years and was wondering what you think may be the cause of this? Also I was thinking that BCE is at a 10 year low and may be hitting a bottom, so there would be a better chance at appreciation as well as the dividend.

This is also to simply having a telco in my portfolio for exposure and it looks like BCE has a better chance of improving than Telus (TIXT is probably dragging it down).

Thank You,
Andrew

Q: What are your thoughts on buying some Telus right now ? Also your thoughts on BCE as opposed to Telus?

Q: Could you please suggest 3-5 of the 'safest' products that provide a 7% yield. They could be stocks, preferred shares, corporate bonds, GICs... whatever. No specific time horizon. Could you please list them in order of safety. Thank you very much.

Q: My question pertains to the risk associated with BCE. It is often recommended as a good dividend stock (which it definitely is). However, when I buy dividend stocks, I am equally looking for safety in my investment. The following are few notes:

• The share price is lower than it was 10 years ago.

• In a response to Nick on April 3 you mentioned “the dividend in FY2023 was $3.7B, which is covered by a cash flow of $7.9B,” (which aligns with the Operating Cash flow). Looking at the FY2023 report “https://bce.ca/investors/AR-2023/2023-bce-annual-financial-report.pdf” (page 20) they mention that their dividend payout policy is to fall in the range of 65-75% of free cash flow and that their payout in 2022 was 108% and in 2023 111%. I would think that this may be a better gauge as their capital requirements appear to be regularly high, and a number exceeding 100% may not be sustainable for long.

• Their level of debt appears to be very high.

• Their revenues have had minimal increase year over year and their net earnings declined quite dramatically.

• I understand they are trying to turn things around but are heavy regulated.

What is your opinion considering the above, your understanding of the situation and the current share price which appears to be historically low (offering an incredible dividend).

Would you be a buyer of the stock? Thank You!

Q: When I read your answer to Richard on April 11th about BCE I shook my head and said, 'Yes, you've got it right.

Then I read the speach of the BCE CEO from the BSO conference and he stated as follows:

An important mandate is to create greater diversity within Bell Media, adding that diversity makes for great business. He said the company wants half of the English and French language programs it commissions this year to be generated by creatives from Black, Indigenous people of colour and nder represented groups. He wants to make sure the company delivers "differentiated storytelling" by having a "diverse inclusive workforce".

I have been a shareholder of BCE and have not been pleased with its performance to date, by a long shot. If I read the above, that the CEO delivered I wouldn't go near the equity.

Given what you said in your prior answer that needs to be done to retain the dividend and grow, I'm not sure this guy wants to, or knows how to do it.

I just feel he wants to run the most woke communications company in Canada.

Do you have faith in him doing what you stated to succeed?

Thanks

Sheldon

Q: when mister market allocates a 9 percent yield on utility does this not provide a red flag to 5i.? forgetting the fall back answer of falling interest rates what specific strategies does BCE need to implement to restore value to its shareholders ? what is the current payout ratio on the dividend and how does it compare to the last 3 years history? thanks Richard

Q: Need to raise cash. A half position in Tell us would work with a 13% loss.Or full position in Toronto Dominion Bank with a 6.5% loss .I also own a full position in Bell and no other bank stock.Core holdings are ENB and CIG447.Your take On best one much appreciated. Tks.Larry

Q: Hello again, I was not very clear on my question re: additions to Canadian dividend growth portfolio. I would like your top 5 preferences out of the 10 stocks listed, which are all currently held.

The suggestions you made are fine and most of those are also held, but for various reasons including existing position sizes I want to add to the group indicated. Thank you.

Q: What the future prospects for BCE and T? Collectively both of these holdings represent about 3.5% of my holdings and currently under water. I am contemplating selling T and buying BCE. Once all the pros and cons for both companies are weighed, is it a reasonable positive change?

Q: Hi team
I am fully invested in BCE , for steady income and abit of growth, it has been hit by lower share prices
I am in a 50% position in ENB, again for steady income and abit of growth
does it make sense to sell part of BCE and use the proceeds to buy ENB
same goal, steady income and some growth

your outlook for ENB would be appreciated as well,
thanks
Michael

Q: Greetings, the above companies are all currently held (among others) in a Canadian dividend growth portfolio. For new money, what would be your top 5 choices to add to today? Long-term hold, income and stability with growth potential are key criteria. Would also like to maintain some sector diversification.

Thank you.

Q: Does the decline in Telus and Bell have any similarities to the decline in AT&T and Verizon about 6 months ago? I note that the US telecoms staged a nice comeback since. Would you expect the same or are the stories different?

Q: I believe BCE cut their dividend by 50% in 2008 during the financial crisis and restored it in 2009 the following year. In your opinion, is the company in the same financial condition as it was during the financial crisis of 2008 which may warrant a reduction in dividend? It looks like Telus also reduced their dividend during this crisis. Can you comment on why the management teams may have acted differently with their investor dividends. I would appreciate your thoughts.

Q: Hi Peter, I'm a pensioner and hold BCE in my RRSP account mainly for the dividend with an average cost of 49.25. Why such a downturn and would you continue to hold for the dividend or is there a chance the dividend could be lowered or cut. I thought this was one of those buy and forget about stocks. Thanks

Q: Good morning,

Thinking of selling BCE for a capital loss, and replacing with FTS. Hold FTS until ex-dividend date of May 16th, and then buy back BCE in time for their June ex-dividend date.

Reasonable strategy if no immediate near term price catalysts - good or bad - for either BCE/FTS?

Q: I have a fairly large position in BCE, about double my usual size. Would you continue to hold? I am considering switching half the position into CGI.