MONTREAL — BCE Inc. reported its fourth-quarter profit rose compared with a year ago as its revenue edged lower.
The parent company of Bell Canada said Thursday its net earnings attributable to common shareholders amounted to $461 million or 51 cents per share for the quarter ended Dec. 31.
The result compared with a profit of $382 million or 42 cents per share in the last three months of 2023.
Operating revenue totalled $6.42 billion, down from $6.47 billion a year earlier.
On an adjusted basis, BCE says it earned 79 cents per share, up from an adjusted profit of 76 cents per share a year earlier.
Analysts on average had expected an adjusted profit of 72 cents per share, according to estimates compiled by LSEG Data & Analytics.
"Bell's financial results for Q4 and throughout 2024 demonstrate steady execution as we balanced growth with profitability, while transforming our business and reducing costs," BCE chief executive Mirko Bibic said in a statement.
In its outlook for 2025, the company provided revenue guidance that ranged from a decline of three per cent for the year to an increase of one per cent.
Adjusted earnings per share for 2025 are expected to decline between eight and 13 per cent compared with 2024.
Free cash flow is forecast to grow between 11 and 19 per cent, while BCE expects to maintain its dividend at its current level.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 6, 2025.
Companies in this story: (TSX:BCE)
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