Cenovus Energy (CVE) Competitors

Cenovus Energy (TSE:CVE) and Canadian Natural Resources (TSE:CNQ) are both large-cap energy companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, media sentiment, profitability and earnings.

Is CVE or CNQ a better dividend stock?

Cenovus Energy pays an annual dividend of C$0.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Canadian Natural Resources pays an annual dividend of C$2.14 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.9%. Cenovus Energy pays out 35.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Canadian Natural Resources pays out 59.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Does the media refer more to CVE or CNQ?

In the previous week, Canadian Natural Resources had 11 more articles in the media than Cenovus Energy. MarketBeat recorded 12 mentions for Canadian Natural Resources and 1 mentions for Cenovus Energy. Cenovus Energy's average media sentiment score of 1.36 beat Canadian Natural Resources' score of 0.45 indicating that Cenovus Energy is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Cenovus Energy	1 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	0 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Canadian Natural Resources	4 Very Positive mention(s)	4 Positive mention(s)	0 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	1 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral

Which has higher earnings and valuation, CVE or CNQ?

Canadian Natural Resources has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Cenovus Energy. Cenovus Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Canadian Natural Resources, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Cenovus Energy	C$54.87B	0.64	C$3.69B	C$2.03	9.44
Canadian Natural Resources	C$35.38B	2.60	C$7.52B	C$3.60	12.15

Is CVE or CNQ more profitable?

Canadian Natural Resources has a net margin of 21.25% compared to Cenovus Energy's net margin of 6.72%. Canadian Natural Resources' return on equity of 19.14% beat Cenovus Energy's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Cenovus Energy	6.72%	12.67%	7.58%
Canadian Natural Resources	21.25%	19.14%	8.80%

Which has more volatility and risk, CVE or CNQ?

Cenovus Energy has a beta of 2.63, suggesting that its share price is 163% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Canadian Natural Resources has a beta of 1.89, suggesting that its share price is 89% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Do insiders and institutionals have more ownership in CVE or CNQ?

54.2% of Cenovus Energy shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.8% of Canadian Natural Resources shares are held by institutional investors. 32.0% of Cenovus Energy shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 4.3% of Canadian Natural Resources shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Do analysts recommend CVE or CNQ?

Cenovus Energy currently has a consensus price target of C$28.15, indicating a potential upside of 46.92%. Canadian Natural Resources has a consensus price target of C$54.58, indicating a potential upside of 24.70%. Given Cenovus Energy's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Cenovus Energy is more favorable than Canadian Natural Resources.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Cenovus Energy	0 Sell rating(s)	3 Hold rating(s)	6 Buy rating(s)	1 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.80
Canadian Natural Resources	0 Sell rating(s)	5 Hold rating(s)	8 Buy rating(s)	1 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.71

Summary

Canadian Natural Resources beats Cenovus Energy on 11 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.