Stockchase Opinions

Matt KacurCanadian Natural RsrcsCNQ.TOWEAK BUYJan 06, 2026

Energy isn't strong now. He is underweight. But there's nothing wrong with CNQ, is one of the better energy stocks. Is not excited about energy. He sees improving return in invested capital with CNQ, and the valuation is reasonable. 

$43.60

Stock price when the opinion was issued

$58.21

As of Jun 23, 2026. Market Open.

oilgas
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PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Aug 15/25, Up 46%)

One of the best-managed companies in the world. Their oil business is stable, but their gas side is overlooked. They are a top-3 gas producer in Canada. Good cash flow will continue and allow them to buyback stock and shrink their debt. 

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PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Apr 14/26, Down 4.4%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly

Our PAST TOP PICK with CNQ has triggered its stop at $60.  To remain disciplined, we recommend covering the position at this time.  When combined with previous guidance, this will result in a net investment gain of 3%.  

WAIT

Unique company. Tends to be very cyclical, but its counter-cyclical framework gives it a huge edge. Amazing business that gushes cash. Loves it. Robust dividend. As balance sheet comes down, will allocate more capital to share buybacks, and that will be accretive to EPS. 

If you own, sit tight and let it work. If coming in fresh, wait for a bigger pullback.

BUY
As a long-term hold

He won't bet on commodities on bad news. They grow production every year and watch costs. They have giant reserves. Long term, a headwind will be growing demand for EVs, as in China. Oil will eventually revert to $50-60 and this stock will correct a bit. CNQ can grow production 3-5% a year and its dividend 5-10%. He will own this long term. Is doing all the right things.

PARTIAL SELL

He's trimmed a bit. If oil comes back, it will retrace quite heavily. 

BUY

Owns in the income growth fund. It is very well run and has a huge reserve base in Alberta. Long term it is fine for lower and higher oil prices.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Short term, what happens to the oil price and in the Middle East is going to kick these stocks around. Likes its low breakeven point. 

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 27/25, Up 63%)

Still doing all the right things. Benefiting from the unanticipated increase in price of oil. Still not that expensive at 12-13x PE, with 8% FCF yield.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 15/25, Up 62%)

She will own this for the next 30 years. Very bullish. She likes CNQ at $60 oil, so $100 oil today is a bonus. Management is discipline, their Oil Sands are long-life with low decline, and have a strong dividend records. They make money even at low $50 oil. She added more shares recently.

DON'T BUY

Not fond of today. Underperformed. Trades at a premium to SU. Has a fair amount of nat gas as well, and he's not as positive on that.

See his Top Picks.

PARTIAL SELL
A bit rich?

She trimmed on the big runup. Still one of the top O&G producers in Canada. Essential backbone of Canadian energy. Stands out on capital return. Raised dividend again. Compounded annual growth of 20%. Ranks 9/10 on value.

Energy will still be one of the top performers for 2026. If oil pulls back, this name will see some volatility -- great time to take a look at it.

BUY

If you already have oils in your portfolio, don't buy now. If you share his thesis that the Strait will be challenged with only some traffic going through, then we're probably looking at $80-90 oil. Canadian oil companies are at a massive advantage because we're really trying to expand our markets.

For a 5-year horizon, CNQ looks really good. On the nat gas side, he likes TOU and PEY.

BUY

Bit expensive (8x PE) relative to peers (7x PE). Balance sheet in good shape. Q4 was very strong, beat by 7% and 1% on production. Increased dividend by 6.4%. Solid operational performance.

A fair value, meritorious name that really works if oil goes below $50. If oil stays where it is, does really well. If you don't have any oil and with a 5-year horizon, you could buy at this level. Problem with waiting to buy is that you often miss it.

PARTIAL SELL
Small retracement a buying opportunity for long-term investors?

Wouldn't pick it up today (and he owns it). Consistently rises to the top as an oily choice in the Basin. Low decline rate, low extraction cost. 

Stock's way up on higher oil, almost 50% YTD. Higher oil for longer is already baked into the price. It's more of a Sell.

HOLD

Trimmed a bit a few weeks ago (when oil gets that high, you know it might come down). Great company, but an entry point is all about the price of oil. You want to get into these names when they're beaten up and the commodity price is low.