The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, April 4, edition that National Bank Financial analyst Adam Shine has elevated his recommendation for BCE to "outperform" from "sector perform," while maintaining his share target at $36. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that analysts on average target the shares at $35.27. In a "call to action" and seeing "no need for further delay," Mr. Shine thinks a dividend cut from BCE is "inevitable." Mr. Shine says in a note: "A 'stable' dividend in 2025 was incorrectly telegraphed last November with news of the Ziply deal. The band-aid could have been pulled then, but it wasn't. Moving annual hikes to a pause ahead of a cut might appear as a prudent approach to further assess corporate and macro conditions, but the rear-view mirror has reflected steadily weakening conditions for the past two years and what's beyond the windshield isn't showcasing blue sky or a meaningful climb higher. Discipline is absent in wireline and especially wireless, immigration changes are exacerbating pressures and Trump tariffs now loom larger on consumers and businesses. ... The stock has priced in a weak start to a tough 2025 per guidance."