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Stock: BCE (TSX)

The 10 Best AI Stocks to Own in 2026

AI is moving from experiment… to essential.

Every major industry is integrating it.
Every major company is investing in it.

By late 2025, AI was already an $800B market — growing at a pace that could push it well beyond $1 trillion in the years ahead.

Cloud infrastructure is scaling fast.
AI-enabled devices are multiplying.
Automation is becoming standard.

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When trillions flow into this transformation — which stocks stand to benefit most?

Our new report reveals 10 AI stocks positioned across the backbone of this shift — from the companies powering the infrastructure… to those embedding intelligence into everyday systems.

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Quick Take: A beaten-down Canadian telecom stock offering a 5.8% forward dividend yield, strong profitability, and potential upside if sentiment improves. Shares remain weak over the short term, but BCE’s valuation, dividend profile, and analyst upside make it a stock income investors may want to revisit.

Major Developments This Week & Near-Term

BCE shares recently closed at $30.08, up 1.31% on the day, but the stock remains under pressure over the past month.

The company continues to operate as one of Canada’s largest telecom providers, with wireless, broadband, television, landline, and media assets. BCE also holds valuable content rights, including Canadian rights to HBO Max and Starz.

Near term, investors are watching BCE’s next quarterly report, expected in August, for updates on revenue stability, dividend coverage, and cost management.

Key Metrics (as of Monday’s close)

Metric

Value

Stock Price

$30.08

Weekly Performance

-2.8%

Market Cap

~$27.69B CAD

P/E Ratio

4.4

Forward P/E

11.1

52-Week Range

$29.66 – $36.25

YTD Return

-7.0%

Forward Dividend Yield

5.8%

Forward Dividend Per Share

$1.75

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Analyst Insights

Analyst Metric

Value

Consensus Rating

Buy

Average Target Price

$36.72

Upside to Target

+22.4%

Strong Buy

5

Buy

3

Hold

5

Sell

1

Strong Sell

1

  • Analyst sentiment is mixed but still leans positive. BCE has 8 Buy or Strong Buy ratings out of 15 analysts, with an average target price well above the current share price.

  • That suggests analysts see recovery potential, though the presence of Sell and Strong Sell ratings shows the market is still divided on the stock.

Recent/Notable Items

  • BCE was recently upgraded to Buy at TD, which could help support investor sentiment.

  • The stock is trading almost exactly at its 52-week low, reflecting weak momentum and investor caution.

  • BCE continues to offer a 5.8% forward yield, making income the main attraction.

  • The next quarterly report is expected on August 6, 2026.

  • Canadian telecom stocks remain under pressure from slow growth, competition, and debt concerns.

Growth Indicators

Growth Metric

Value

Sales Growth Next Year

+1.8%

EPS Growth Next Year

+4.3%

5-Year EPS Growth Estimate

-0.2%

Current-Year EPS Growth Estimate

-7.2%

Current-Year Revenue Estimate

~$25.02B

Next-Year Revenue Estimate

~$25.48B

  • BCE is not a high-growth stock. The investment case is built more around valuation, income, and possible recovery than rapid expansion.

  • Sales are expected to grow modestly next year, while EPS is projected to improve by 4.3%. However, the long-term EPS growth estimate remains slightly negative, which is why dividend coverage and operational execution matter.

Profitability & Financials (quick read)

Metric

Value

Gross Margin

68.5%

Operating Margin

21.9%

Net Margin

26.1%

Return on Equity

26.9%

Debt / Equity

1.8

Current Ratio

0.7

Interest Coverage

5.3

  • BCE’s profitability metrics remain strong, especially for a mature telecom company. Net margin, operating margin, and return on equity all look solid.

  • The main concern is financial health. Telecom businesses require heavy capital spending, and BCE’s debt levels remain important to watch.

  • Still, the payout ratio shown in the dataset is 25.9%, which appears more comfortable than many investors might expect for a high-yield telecom stock.

Technical & Momentum

Momentum Metric

Value

RSI

24.0

Money Flow Index

20

Price vs. 52-Week High

81.9%

Price vs. 52-Week Low

100.1%

Price vs. 50-Day Average

89.8%

Price vs. 120-Day Average

87.5%

  • BCE’s technical picture is weak.

  • The stock is trading near its 52-week low and well below both its 50-day and 120-day averages. The RSI of 24 suggests the stock may be oversold, which could attract value and income investors looking for a rebound.

What to Watch Next

  • the next quarterly earnings report

  • dividend coverage

  • debt levels

  • wireless and broadband subscriber trends

  • media segment performance

  • free cash flow

  • management commentary on capital spending

The biggest question is whether BCE can stabilize the business while continuing to support its dividend.

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One-Look Summary

Category

Takeaway

Main Appeal

High passive income

Dividend Yield

5.8%

Analyst Rating

Buy

Upside to Target

About 22%

Momentum

Weak / oversold

Valuation

Attractive

Risk Level

Moderate

Main Watch Item

Dividend coverage and debt

Bottom Line

BCE is not a momentum stock right now, but that may be exactly why income investors are looking again.

The stock is trading near its 52-week low, offers a 5.8% dividend yield, and has a Buy consensus rating with meaningful upside to the average analyst target.

For passive income investors, BCE could be worth watching — but the key will be whether the company can protect cash flow, manage debt, and keep its dividend sustainable.

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