BCE reports 2025 Q4 and full-year results, announces 2026 financial targets

Core Insights - BCE Inc. reported strong financial results for Q4 2025 and the full year, achieving all financial guidance targets for 2025 and setting a clear strategy for 2026 [2][3][4] Financial Performance - Q4 2025 adjusted EBITDA grew by 2.3% to $2,664 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 41.6%, the highest in over 30 years [4][21] - Net earnings for Q4 2025 increased by 25.1% to $632 million, with net earnings attributable to common shareholders rising by 28.9% to $594 million, or $0.64 per share [6][16] - For the full year 2025, operating revenues increased by 0.2% to $24,468 million, driven by a 0.6% rise in service revenue [15][17] Subscriber Growth and Churn - Wireless operating momentum continued with postpaid churn improving to 1.49%, marking the third consecutive quarter of year-over-year improvement [4][40] - In Q4 2025, BCE added 56,124 postpaid mobile phone subscribers, while retail fibre Internet net activations totaled 49,168, contributing to a 16.6% growth in Internet revenues [6][29] Strategic Initiatives - The company emphasized its four strategic priorities: customer focus, superior fibre and wireless networks, AI-powered enterprise solutions, and digital media expansion [3][4] - BCE's acquisition of Ziply Fiber on August 1, 2025, contributed significantly to its U.S. operations, enhancing its fibre-to-the-premise network [25][53] Media and Content Growth - Crave subscriptions surged by 26% in Q4 2025, reaching approximately 4.6 million, making it the most-watched quarter in Crave's history [60][67] - Bell Media's operating revenue for Q4 decreased by 3.4% to $804 million, primarily due to lower advertising revenue, but subscriber revenue increased by 1.5% [55][56] Capital Expenditures and Cash Flow - Capital expenditures in Q4 2025 rose by 36.8% to $1,317 million, reflecting investments in the U.S. and higher spending at Bell CTS Canada [22][23] - Free cash flow for Q4 2025 was $225 million, down 74.3% from the previous year, while full-year free cash flow increased by 10% to $3.2 billion [23][24] 2026 Financial Guidance - BCE expects revenue growth of 1% to 5% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 0% to 4% for 2026, with stable capital expenditures compared to 2025 [64][65]