Cenovus EnergyCVE.TOWAITApr 05, 2017Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jun 09, 2026. Market Open.
Set-it-and-forget-it way to get exposure to bullish oil thesis. New floor for oil is $80, and higher in years to come. Downstream exposure (refineries), with margins at record highs. Top decile oilsands assets. Another record quarter. Really likes management. Yield is 2.09%.
(Analysts’ price target is $43.47)EPS of 50c surpassed the 42c estimate, and revenue of $10.88B beat forecasts by 2%. Results demonstrated Cenovus' substantial expansion through its MEG Energy acquisition, with record upstream production of 917,900 barrels per day in Q4 providing crucial volume protection against softer crude prices. Despite a recent geopolitical boost to oil prices, WTI has averaged $61.40 in Q1, down roughly 14% from Q1 2025. With stable to growing production, operating cash flow will likely face pressure in Q1 and throughout the year without a sustained price rebound. Shareholder returns should remain a focus, but buybacks are expected to moderate from last year's approximately C$2 billion as Cenovus manages MEG-related debt and works toward its C$4 billion net debt target. They remain fully comfortable with the position, though commodity price direction will be critical. Unlock Premium - Try 5i Free
Makes sense to him. Deep Basin assets were picked up years ago, so this would be a chance to monetize those, pay down debt, and accelerate ROC to shareholders. Bay Street would probably view this very favourably. Shareholders want capital returned via share buybacks, and it's at a bit of a competitive disadvantage to companies like SU that return more capital to shareholders.
Believes reported headline number of $3B is light. Could be closer to $4B in asset sales.
They’ve taken on quite a bit of debt on their deal with Conoco Phillips, and the market reacted, dropping the stock price about $1 below where they issued new equity at, and have gone from the best balance sheet to now arguably the worst. It didn’t really move the needle for free cash flow. Their motivation was right in consolidating some of the best oil sands assets in Canada, but they had to include about 40% of deep basin gas and conventional oil. They want to sell some non-core assets and maybe generate about $3.5 billion. He would start to pick away anywhere in the low $14 range, but would wait until there was some clarity on the disposition package. Prefers Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ-T).