Cenovus Energy (CVE) Competitors

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

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

60.8% of Canadian Natural Resources shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 51.4% of Cenovus Energy shares are held by institutional investors. 4.3% of Canadian Natural Resources shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 32.0% of Cenovus Energy shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Does the media refer more to CNQ or CVE?

In the previous week, Canadian Natural Resources had 8 more articles in the media than Cenovus Energy. MarketBeat recorded 11 mentions for Canadian Natural Resources and 3 mentions for Cenovus Energy. Canadian Natural Resources' average media sentiment score of 1.20 beat Cenovus Energy's score of 1.19 indicating that Canadian Natural Resources is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Canadian Natural Resources	3 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	0 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Cenovus Energy	2 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	0 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Is CNQ or CVE a better dividend stock?

Canadian Natural Resources pays an annual dividend of C$2.26 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.0%. Cenovus Energy pays an annual dividend of C$0.74 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Canadian Natural Resources pays out 57.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Cenovus Energy pays out 51.4% 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.

Which has more volatility and risk, CNQ or CVE?

Canadian Natural Resources has a beta of 0.97245, indicating that its share price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Cenovus Energy has a beta of 0.780337, indicating that its share price is 22% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Which has preferable earnings & valuation, CNQ or CVE?

Canadian Natural Resources has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Cenovus Energy. Canadian Natural Resources is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Cenovus Energy, 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
Canadian Natural Resources	C$43.85B	2.15	C$7.52B	C$3.94	11.49
Cenovus Energy	C$55.62B	0.80	C$3.69B	C$1.44	17.12

Is CNQ or CVE 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
Canadian Natural Resources	21.25%	19.14%	8.80%
Cenovus Energy	6.72%	12.67%	7.58%

Do analysts rate CNQ or CVE?

Canadian Natural Resources currently has a consensus price target of C$54.75, suggesting a potential upside of 20.94%. Cenovus Energy has a consensus price target of C$27.90, suggesting a potential upside of 13.18%. Given Canadian Natural Resources' higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Canadian Natural Resources is more favorable than Cenovus Energy.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Canadian Natural Resources	0 Sell rating(s)	3 Hold rating(s)	8 Buy rating(s)	1 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.83
Cenovus Energy	0 Sell rating(s)	1 Hold rating(s)	9 Buy rating(s)	2 Strong Buy rating(s)	3.08

Summary

Canadian Natural Resources beats Cenovus Energy on 12 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.