
TSE:CVE
CVE’s recent quarter result was solid given the tailwind of high oil prices, and shares are now trading at 7.5x times' Forward P/E.
In the 4Q, CVE’s revenue grew 2% to $14B, missing estimates of $14.4B and EPS was $0.29 also missing the estimate of $0.61.
The balance sheet is strong, with long-term debt (excluding leases) of $8.7B, significantly reduced compared to $12B last year.
Total debt is around 1.2x times trailing twelve-month free funds flow (FFF) of $7.3B, and free cash flow grew nicely around 55% compared to $4.7B last year.
Based on consensus estimates, sales are expected to decline by 12%, while EPS is expected to decline by 5% in 2023.
CVE also announced a CEO transition, as the COO will now be in charge, and the old CEO would be the executive chair, we don’t think this would change the company’s fundamentals much in the near term.
The company has been actively repurchasing shares over the last two years and raising dividends as a result of operational tailwinds from high oil prices.
However, going forward the company’s performance will largely depend on oil prices.
It is priced well and has good potential, depending on what commodity prices do.
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We reiterate this Canadian major energy producer as a TOP PICK. The company announced it will buy out its partner’s share of the 160 mbd refinery in Ohio, with a capacity to consume 90 mbd of heavy production. We like it has aggressively been retiring debt and buying back shares, while still growing cash reserves. It trades at under 2x book. Recently reported earnings support a ROE of 25%. We continue to recommend a stop at $23, looking to achieve $33 -- upside potential of 28%. Yield 2.4%
(Analysts’ price target is $32.97)