Cenovus Energy (CVE.TO)

Large-cap energy producer, underperforming the group. He owns ARX and SU, both with dividend growth and returning capital to shareholders. Won't go wrong with it, but better names.

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Disappointing. They've struggled with downstream operations, frustrating investors, and are working to fix this. He expects them to reach their debt target in August, then they will pivot to 100% free cash flow. $43 target price of 57% upside. Trimmed his holding slightly. Trades at a discount to CNQ.

Likes the energy sector: great fundamentals, will generate free cash flow. CVE has benefited from rising oil prices. This is positioned well for 2-3 years.

That's a pretty short timeframe, so where it goes could be largely determined by commodity price. Longer term, low-cost, long-life production base to draw on. In production growth phase, tailing off in 4 years. Reasonable choice.

Editor's Note - This past pick was not the common stock but the corporate bond. The total return is a bit mis-leading due to the nature of bonds, and is actually higher than shown. In general, corporate bond spreads are very tight now due to the fact that there is no supply and too much demand. There is not as much corporate debt out there.

With energy companies, you really have to be comfortable with commodity price and OPEC manipulation. Oil prices seem to have settled, nat gas prices soft. Compared to peers, it's cheaper, better production growth and cashflow growth. Pretty good deal here. Slower debt reduction is not of much concern with current oil price.

Treated poorly in the market, but company has excellent management team. High quality assets. Ability to buy assets in the market. Quality of upstream and downstream assets good. 

Excellent company that is top holding in portfolio. Excellent management team with executing. Believes stock buybacks will commence within next month or two. Between 75%-100% free cash flow will be dedicated to return of capital. Excellent assets in oil sands and refineries. Will continue to hold and buy more. 

We do not think Trans Mountain will influence values much. Prices, with global influences, will continue to have a bigger impact. The stock is cheap at 8X earnings and offers a decent, growing dividend. It is one of the few in the sector expected to see per-share growth in '24, in the 20% or so range. Debt is down to 1X cash flow and the share count continues to decline. 3Q results were strong, with good growth and lower debt, though refining margins remain a possible negative variable. Overall, though, it looks fine to us. 
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For Baytex there is some consolidation here due to some nervousness re the price of oil. Cenovus is similar to Baytex and has dropped to the consolidation level. It could go to the $20 level in the next 3 to 6 months. Don't buy energy now since it could retrace much of its big gains.

Debt drawdown taking longer than thought due to weaker oil. Other issues have been fixed. Waiting to hit $4B of debt, and he sees it happening in Q2. Shareholders should be getting 100% of free cashflow early next year. Sees 40-80% upside. 35 years of inventory. Solid, steady CEO. High-quality reservoirs. Yield is 2.34%.

Likes it though prefers Baytex for its free cash flow. Cenovus has some downstream issues and balance sheet issues. Has done well this year, though.

Likes the energy space. Good company, though he prefers other names. Higher oil prices will increase cashflows. Returning more money to shareholders. Oil companies will be profit and cash machines if oil stays in $80 range. 

One of the better Canadian oil/gas names. Likes their assets. Higher oil prices have raised the share price. Lots of free cash flow created that has reduced debt, so now a strong balance sheet. Shares are near all-time highs, so wait for a pullback.