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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Canada's BCE to take unit Bell Aliant private, (TSE: BA.TO), (NYSE: BCE), (TSE: BCE.TO)

BCE Inc , Canada's largest telecommunications company, said it would take Bell Aliant Inc private by buying the stake it does not already own in the company for about C$3.95 billion ($3.68 billion).BCE controls 44 percent of Bell Aliant, which offers telecom services in eastern Canada, and values the remaining stake at C$31 per share - a premium of about 10 percent to the stock's close on Tuesday."Privatizing Bell Aliant enhances our broadband investment strategy and capital markets objectives," said BCE Chief Executive George Cope.Bell Aliant shareholders can elect to receive either C$31 in cash, or 0.6371 of one BCE share, or C$7.75 in cash and 0.4778 of one BCE share for every share they own, the companies said.

Bell Aliant Inc. through its subsidiaries is a regional communications service provider. Shares of BA traded higher by 0.21% or $0.06/share to $28.19. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $24.79 and as high as $29.05. On average, 290714 shares of BA.TO exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 298773.

BCE Inc. is a communications company, providing residential, business and wholesale customers with a range of solutions to all their communications needs. Shares of BCE traded higher by 0.73% or $0.33/share to $45.68. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $40.02 and as high as $46.70. On average, 564425 shares of BCE exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 566365.

BCE Inc. is a communications company, providing residential, business and wholesale customers with a range of solutions to all their communications needs. Shares of BCE traded higher by 0.72% or $0.35/share to $49.01. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $41.28 and as high as $51.09. On average, 964092 shares of BCE.TO exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 953598.



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