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On Thursday, BMO Capital Markets adjusted its outlook on BCE Inc . (NYSE:BCE:CN) (NYSE: BCE) shares, increasing the price target to C$51.00 from the previous C$48.00. The firm maintained its Market Perform rating on the stock. The revision comes in response to BCE's announcement that it will sell its 37.5% stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) to Rogers (NYSE:ROG) for C$4.7 billion, a transaction expected to close in mid-2025.
BCE plans to use the net proceeds of approximately C$4.1 billion from the sale to reduce its debt. This strategic move is not anticipated to affect the company's reported revenue and EBITDA. The sale to Rogers is part of BCE's broader efforts to streamline its operations and strengthen its financial position.
The financial analyst from BMO Capital Markets estimates that the sale will result in annualized cash interest savings of around C$200 million for BCE. Additionally, the projected pro forma debt to EBITDA ratio by the end of 2025 is expected to decrease from 3.7 times to 3.3 times as a result of the debt repayment.
The transaction indicates BCE's commitment to improving its balance sheet and is a significant step in its financial strategy. The price target adjustment reflects the anticipated positive impact on BCE's financial metrics following the completion of the deal with Rogers.
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