Stock of the Day

October 7, 2020

Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ)

$51.85
+$1.78 (+3.6%)
Market Cap: $103.26B

About Canadian Natural Resources

Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO). The company's midstream assets include two pipeline systems; and a 50% working interest in an 84-megawatt cogeneration plant at Primrose. It operates primarily in Western Canada; the United Kingdom portion of the North Sea; and Offshore Africa. The company was formerly known as AEX Minerals Corporation and changed its name to Canadian Natural Resources Limited in December 1975. Canadian Natural Resources Limited was incorporated in 1973 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Canadian Natural Resources Bull Case

Here are some ways that investors could benefit from investing in Canadian Natural Resources Limited:

  • Canadian Natural Resources Limited recently reported a significant earnings beat for the quarter ending August 6, 2026, delivering an actual EPS of $1.58 compared to the consensus estimate of $1.43, while also surpassing revenue expectations with $14.74 billion in actual revenue against a consensus of $9.40 billion, demonstrating strong operational performance and profitability that supports the current stock price of $51.85.
  • The stock is trading near its 52-week high of $52.02, having risen from a low of $29.68, which indicates strong momentum and investor confidence in the company's trajectory, supported by a low beta of 0.46 that suggests the stock may offer lower volatility compared to the broader market while still providing exposure to the energy sector.
  • Institutional investors are increasing their stakes in the company, with Mufg Securities Canada LTD. raising its position by 105.7% in the second quarter to own 6,350,644 shares, and other firms like Capital Research Global Investors and AQR Capital Management also boosting their holdings, signaling strong professional conviction in the company's long-term value.
  • Canadian Natural Resources Limited offers a dividend yield of 3.70%, providing a steady income stream for investors, which is particularly attractive given the company's stable cash flows from its diversified portfolio of light and medium crude oil, heavy crude oil, and natural gas liquids.
  • The company maintains a favorable valuation with a P/E ratio of 12.80, which is relatively low for a major energy producer, suggesting that the stock may be undervalued relative to its earnings potential, especially as it continues to expand its production capabilities in Western Canada and offshore regions.

Canadian Natural Resources Bear Case

Investors should be bearish about investing in Canadian Natural Resources Limited for these reasons:

  • Short interest in Canadian Natural Resources Limited has been volatile and recently increased, with shares shorted rising to 57,647,400 as of August 14, 2026, representing a 18.87% month-over-month increase, which indicates that a significant portion of the market is betting against the stock's future performance, potentially leading to downward pressure on the price.
  • Despite recent earnings beats, the company's revenue growth has been inconsistent, with actual revenue of $7.72 billion in May 2026 falling short of the consensus estimate of $7.57 billion in the previous quarter, suggesting that the company may face challenges in sustaining its revenue growth trajectory amid fluctuating commodity prices.
  • The stock has experienced significant price volatility, including a gap down of 1.67% on July 27, 2026, and a percent decline of 42.68% on April 17, 2026, which highlights the risks associated with investing in the energy sector, where prices can be highly sensitive to global economic conditions and geopolitical events.
  • Canadian Natural Resources Limited operates in a capital-intensive industry with high environmental and regulatory risks, as it produces heavy crude oil and bitumen, which are subject to stricter environmental regulations and potential carbon taxes, potentially impacting its profitability and long-term sustainability.
  • The company's dependence on commodity prices, particularly for heavy crude oil, exposes it to significant market risk, as any decline in oil prices could lead to a sharp drop in its revenue and earnings, making it a less attractive investment for risk-averse investors seeking stable returns.

Recent News