BCE vs. LUMN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BCE and LUMN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | BCE | LUMN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | BCE Inc. | Lumen Technologies, Inc. |
| Country | Canada | United States |
| GICS Sector | Communication Services | Communication Services |
| GICS Industry | Diversified Telecommunication Services | Diversified Telecommunication Services |
| Market Capitalization | 23.77 billion USD | 4.73 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 15, 1982 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BCE and LUMN by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | BCE | LUMN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.11% | -1.71% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 18.45% | 21.00% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 6.37% | -6.49% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -25.07% | -24.80% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 9.03% | 3.60% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 5.76% | -13.18% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.17M | 11.81M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.52M | 11.24M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 18.81% | 62.10% |
| Beta | 0.18 | 1.41 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BCE
3.43%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 35.96%
- Q3
- 14.90%
- Median
- 8.29%
- Q1
- -0.99%
- Min
- -18.19%
BCE’s Return on Equity of 3.43% is on par with the norm for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
LUMN
-80.20%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 35.96%
- Q3
- 14.90%
- Median
- 8.29%
- Q1
- -0.99%
- Min
- -18.19%
LUMN has a negative Return on Equity of -80.20%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BCE
2.47%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 28.40%
- Q3
- 13.05%
- Median
- 6.85%
- Q1
- -0.81%
- Min
- -18.76%
BCE’s Net Profit Margin of 2.47% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
LUMN
-9.19%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 28.40%
- Q3
- 13.05%
- Median
- 6.85%
- Q1
- -0.81%
- Min
- -18.76%
LUMN has a negative Net Profit Margin of -9.19%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
BCE
13.20%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 37.46%
- Q3
- 22.24%
- Median
- 15.73%
- Q1
- 9.79%
- Min
- 2.06%
BCE’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.20% is around the midpoint for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
LUMN
-1.97%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 37.46%
- Q3
- 22.24%
- Median
- 15.73%
- Q1
- 9.79%
- Min
- 2.06%
LUMN has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -1.97%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BCE | LUMN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 3.43% | -80.20% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 0.83% | -3.52% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.47% | -9.19% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.20% | -1.97% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 67.94% | 47.68% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BCE
0.61
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 1.63
- Q3
- 1.14
- Median
- 0.92
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.16
BCE’s Current Ratio of 0.61 falls into the lower quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
LUMN
2.13
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 1.63
- Q3
- 1.14
- Median
- 0.92
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.16
LUMN’s Current Ratio of 2.13 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
BCE
2.08
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 3.82
- Q3
- 2.06
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.11
BCE’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.08. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
LUMN
61.12
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 3.82
- Q3
- 2.06
- Median
- 1.32
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.11
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 61.12, LUMN operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
BCE
1.47
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 14.66
- Q3
- 8.25
- Median
- 3.53
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- -2.60
BCE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.47 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
LUMN
0.79
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 14.66
- Q3
- 8.25
- Median
- 3.53
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- -2.60
LUMN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 0.79 is a critical concern. A value below 1.0 means operating earnings are insufficient to cover interest expenses, indicating severe financial strain and high default risk.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BCE | LUMN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.61 | 2.13 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.54 | 1.98 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.08 | 61.12 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1.47 | 0.79 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BCE
9.80%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 10.34%
- Q3
- 5.44%
- Median
- 3.89%
- Q1
- 1.73%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 9.80%, BCE offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
LUMN
0.02%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 10.34%
- Q3
- 5.44%
- Median
- 3.89%
- Q1
- 1.73%
- Min
- 0.00%
LUMN’s Dividend Yield of 0.02% is in the lower quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
BCE
125.42%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 270.06%
- Q3
- 135.21%
- Median
- 76.62%
- Q1
- 35.06%
- Min
- 0.00%
BCE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 125.42% is within the typical range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
LUMN
5.26%
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 270.06%
- Q3
- 135.21%
- Median
- 76.62%
- Q1
- 35.06%
- Min
- 0.00%
LUMN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 5.26% is in the lower quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BCE | LUMN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 9.80% | 0.02% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 125.42% | 5.26% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BCE
54.27
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 33.39
- Q3
- 23.91
- Median
- 16.72
- Q1
- 13.00
- Min
- 4.13
At 54.27, BCE’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
LUMN
--
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 33.39
- Q3
- 23.91
- Median
- 16.72
- Q1
- 13.00
- Min
- 4.13
P/E Ratio data for LUMN is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BCE
1.34
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 4.75
- Q3
- 2.60
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.35
BCE’s P/S Ratio of 1.34 aligns with the market consensus for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
LUMN
0.36
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 4.75
- Q3
- 2.60
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.35
In the lower quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, LUMN’s P/S Ratio of 0.36 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
BCE
1.53
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 5.77
- Q3
- 3.45
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.32
BCE’s P/B Ratio of 1.53 is within the conventional range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
LUMN
13.90
Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 5.77
- Q3
- 3.45
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.32
At 13.90, LUMN’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BCE | LUMN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 54.27 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.34 | 0.36 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.53 | 13.90 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 8.04 | 3.08 |