Wireless gains help boost Q1 profits 30% at BCE

MONTREAL – Growth in BCE’s wireless, wireline and media divisions helped to drive up first quarter profits by 30%, the company said Thursday.For the period ended March 31, 2016, net earnings attributable to common shareholders of $707 million was up 32.9% from $532 million in the same period last year, due to lower severance, acquisition and other costs, higher adjusted EBITDA, and higher other income. The increase was partly offset by higher income taxes and increased depreciation and amortization expense attributable to a higher capital asset base in service. Adjusted net earnings increased 4.1% to $734 million compared to $705 million...