BCE Q4 profit jumps on double digit growth in wireless

MONTREAL - While Q4 revenue at BCE remained virtually stagnant over the past year at nearly $5.161 billion, missing analyst estimates, it reported net earnings spiked by 45.7% from a year earlier in the quarter ended Dec. 31, rising to $708 million from $486 million. BCE also provided an update that it was still pursuing its purchase of Astral Media and expects that its new $3.38-billion proposal will address the CRTC’s concern that the original bid was “not a good deal for Canadians.” Adjusted net earnings attributable to common shareholders were $506 million, an increase of 4.5% compared to Q4...