BCE hikes dividend 5% as Bell sees profit rise 10%

BCE Inc.will be raising its common share dividend by 5.3 per cent, beginning with its quarterly dividend payment in April.

The Montreal-based telecommunications and media giant had $542 million of net income in the fourth quarter, up nearly 10 per cent from a year before.

Its adjusted earnings amounted to 72 cents per share, up nearly three per cent from least year and just above the consensus estimate of 71 cents per share.

For the full year, BCE had $2.36 billion of net income, up nearly 20 per cent from 2013.

BCE says its annual dividend will be rising to $2.60 per common share, starting with a quarterly payment of 65 cents per common share payable April 15.