Canadian Natural Rsrcs (CNQ.TO)

Suncor vs. CNQ Both great Canadian energy stocks. He has owned Suncor and currently owns CNQ as his only energy stock. CNQ maintained its dividend throughout the lockdown, while he believes Suncor lowered theirs to protect their balance sheet. He likes CNQ in energy---you still get a nice yield. Suncor and CNQ will do well long term. Suncor will do well if the energy space improves. He owns 3.5-4% energy on the low side, but you don't want to own too much or too little energy. About two years ago, SU's refining assets were doing really well and got a premium valuations, so maybe that's why the stock has unwound recently.

Suncor and CNQ SU cut their dividend. It is a bellwether energy stock. Refining margins are tough which hurts SU. He owns CNQ instead; it didn't cut its dividend. SU stock is okay now with oil prices in the low-$40s, but could weaked in the fall. He's not adding his energy exposure. The bigger picture is: how much oil do you want in your portfolio. He owns CNQ and recommends that in the mid-$20s. Oil offers decent risk/reward given base demand, but wait till the fall to see if demand declines due to a COVID uptick. Oil depends on whether shale oil receives capital support and shale decline has been the game-changer in the last few months. Overall, SU is fine, but if you're switching into CNQ, now's the time to do it.

She owns no oil names and won't re-enter it. But CNQ would be one of the top names if she does return to oil. They just bought Painted Pony, so they can afford to buy assets at cyclical lows like now. They expand opportunistically.

Exxon Mobil (XOM)? Near-term, he's cautious about the energy sector. XOM has a broad base of assets and pays a high 8% dividend, but is underperforming the S&P. XOM has been struggling as a stock. He prefers a company outperforming peers, such as CNQ. CNQ pays a 6.8% dividend. It's had rising relative strength since the market bottomed, from $6.50 to $8.50 today. CNQ has made most of the investments they need for coming years, so CNQ has become a cash-flow vehicle.