Should You Buy BCE Inc (BCE) Today? Analysis, Price Targets, and 2026 Outlook.
Conclusion
Buy
Latest Price
25.490
1 Day change
0.87%
52 Week Range
26.020
Analysis Updated At
2026/01/28
Buy for a long-term, beginner-friendly portfolio at current levels. The trend is technically bullish (price above key moving averages with a strengthening MACD), options positioning is notably bullish (very low open-interest put/call ratio), and Wall Street sentiment has improved via multiple recent upgrades. While the stock looks short-term stretched (RSI overbought) and the last reported quarter showed a sharp YoY drop in net income/EPS (likely impacted by non-recurring items), the risk/reward at ~$25.49 appears favorable ahead of the Feb 5 earnings, with the analyst community increasingly viewing the dividend and leverage path as manageable.
Technical Analysis
Trend/Structure: Bullish alignment with SMA_5 > SMA_20 > SMA_200, indicating an established uptrend. Momentum: MACD histogram +0.158 and expanding suggests improving upside momentum. Overbought condition: RSI_6 ~88.8 signals the stock is overheated near-term (higher probability of a pause/pullback), but it does not negate the prevailing uptrend for long-term holders. Levels: Pivot 24.683 (near-term support). Resistance is close at R1 25.547 (price 25.49 is just below), then R2 26.08. If price holds above ~24.68 on dips, the trend remains intact.
Options Data
Bullish
Open Interest Put-Call Ratio
Bullish
Option Volume Put-Call Ratio
Sentiment read: Open interest put/call of 0.23 is strongly call-heavy (bullish positioning). Volume put/call of 0.58 is also call-leaning for the day. Volatility: 30D IV ~26.78 vs HV ~24.63 (moderate premium), with low IV percentile (~23.6) and very low IV rank (~4.54), suggesting options aren’t priced for extreme moves. Activity: Today’s option volume (667) is below the 30-day average (~84% of avg), so sentiment is bullish but not a ‘panic chase.’
Technical Summary
Sell
5
Buy
10
Positive Catalysts
1) Analyst sentiment improving: multiple upgrades in Dec–Jan, including Barclays upgrade (to Equal Weight) and BMO/CIBC upgrades to outperform-type ratings. 2) Sector backdrop per Barclays: Canadian telecom competitive environment showing ‘positive momentum.’ 3) Upcoming catalyst: QDEC 2025 earnings on 2026-02-05 (pre-market) can reset expectations if execution/FCF commentary supports the dividend narrative. 4) Positioning: options open interest structure is call-heavy (bullish).
Neutral/Negative Catalysts
1) Financial headline weakness: 2025/Q3 net income and EPS showed extreme YoY declines (net income -463.95% YoY; EPS -455.15% YoY), which can weigh on sentiment even if driven by one-offs. 2) Structural headwinds: Barclays explicitly notes ongoing structural pressures likely to weigh on growth. 3) Technical near-term risk: RSI indicates overbought conditions; price is pressing near resistance (R1 ~25.55), increasing odds of short-term digestion. 4) No supportive news flow in the last week (no fresh positive catalyst from headlines).
Financial Performance
Latest quarter: 2025/Q3. Revenue rose to $6.049B (+1.31% YoY), indicating modest top-line stability. However, profitability metrics sharply deteriorated YoY: net income fell to $4.502B (-463.95% YoY) and EPS to 4.83 (-455.15% YoY). Gross margin slipped to 49.18% (-1.36% YoY). Net income/EPS moves of this magnitude are commonly influenced by non-operating or one-time items, but as provided, the headline trend is negative versus last year while revenue is only mildly growing.
Growth
Profitability
Efficiency
Analyst Ratings and Price Target Trends
Recent trend: ratings have turned more constructive after a weak patch around Q3. Barclays moved from Underweight (PT $21) to Equal Weight (PT raised to $26) on 2026-01-27. In Dec, both BMO and CIBC upgraded to Outperform-type views with C$37 targets, citing improved risk/reward and a more ‘de-risked’ dividend/FCF payout profile; TD maintained a Buy with a slightly lowered target. Wall Street pros: improving competitive momentum, better risk/reward at depressed levels, dividend/FCF narrative stabilizing, achievable leverage targets. Wall Street cons: structural headwinds and lingering growth/profitability pressure. Flows/other: hedge funds and insiders are reported as neutral; no recent politician/congress trading data available.
Wall Street analysts forecast BCE stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for BCE is 26.09 USD with a low forecast of 21 USD and a high forecast of 30.23 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
11 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast BCE stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for BCE is 26.09 USD with a low forecast of 21 USD and a high forecast of 30.23 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
5 Buy
4 Hold
2 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 25.270
Low
21
Averages
26.09
High
30.23
Current: 25.270
Low
21
Averages
26.09
High
30.23
Barclays
Lauren Bonham
Underweight -> Equal Weight
upgrade
$21 -> $26
AI Analysis
2026-01-27
New
Reason
Barclays
Lauren Bonham
Price Target
$21 -> $26
AI Analysis
2026-01-27
New
upgrade
Underweight -> Equal Weight
Reason
Barclays analyst Lauren Bonham upgraded BCE to Equal Weight from Underweight with a price target of $26, up from $21. The Canadian telecom competitive environment continues to show positive momentum, the analyst tells investors in a research note. However, the firm believes structural headwinds will continue weigh on growth. It upgrades BCE as part of a Q4 earnings preview.
BMO Capital
Market Perform
to
Outperform
upgrade
$37
2025-12-11
Reason
BMO Capital
Price Target
$37
2025-12-11
upgrade
Market Perform
to
Outperform
Reason
BMO Capital upgraded BCE to Outperform from Market Perform with an unchanged price target of C$37. The firm cites a relatively more attractive risk/reward profile at current share levels for the upgrade. The firm believes BCE's dividend has been de-risked with "reasonable" free cash flow payout ratios. The company also has achievable leverage targets, adds BMO.
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