BCE Q4 Profit Down 25.7% - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - BCE Inc. (BCE, BCE.TO) posted a decline in fourth-quarter 2013 net earnings attributable to common shareholders to C$495 million, or C$0.64 per share, from C$666 million, or C$0.86 per share, last year, reflecting a non-cash gain recognized in the fourth quarter 2012 on the transfer of spectrum from Inukshuk to its partners.

On an adjusted basis, net earnings amounted to C$540 million, or C$0.70 per share for the latest quarter. On average, 17 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings per share of C$0.69 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude one-time items.

BCE's operating revenues reached C$5.38 billion, up 4.3%, compared with the prior-year figure of C$5.16 billion, whereas 13 analysts estimated revenues of C$5.41 billion for the period.

Looking ahead, BCE's adjusted earnings per share for 2014 are expected to range between C$3.10 and C$3.20.

Additionally, BCE's board declared a quarterly dividend of C$0.6175 per common share, payable on April 15, 2014 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2014. The company said today's dividend announcement represents BCE's tenth increase to its annual common share dividend, representing a 69% growth, in the past 5 years. The BCE annualized common share dividend would increase 6.0% from C$2.33 to C$2.47 effective with BCE's Q1 2014 dividend, payable on April 15, 2014 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2014.