Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ) AI Stock Analysis
CNQ AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchCanadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ) is an oil and natural gas exploration and production company based in Calgary, Canada. Over the trailing twelve months, the company generated $44.68B in revenue with an operating margin of 43.1%. For FY2025, it delivered $10.82B in net income and $8.42B in free cash flow.
- Market cap
- $110.91B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $44.68B
- P/E
- 13.2x fwd 13.9x
- 1Y return
- 85.6% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $48.78 -9.3% vs last close
Bull case
- Quarterly revenue grew 69.5% year-over-year in the period ended June 30, 2026, accompanied by an 83.8% quarterly earnings increase.
- Free cash flow reached $8.42B in FY2025, backing a 22.2% five-year annualized dividend growth rate.
- The stock trades at an EV/EBITDA of 6.4x, below the US-listed Energy peer median of 8.0x.
Bear case
- Analysts project FY2027 revenue to fall 10.3% to $44.12B and EPS to decline 7.5% to $6.05.
- The mean analyst price target of $48.78 sits 9.3% below the closing price of $53.80.
- Total debt stood at $17.14B as of June 30, 2026, resulting in net debt of $14.53B.
What Canadian Natural Resources does
Canadian Natural Resources Limited explores, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). Its production portfolio spans synthetic crude oil, light and medium crude oil, bitumen, primary heavy crude oil, and Pelican Lake heavy crude oil. The company also holds midstream and refining assets, including two crude oil pipeline systems and a 50% working interest in an 84-megawatt cogeneration plant at Primrose. Its core operating regions are Western Canada, the United Kingdom section of the North Sea, and Offshore Africa.
Growth and profitability
For FY2025, revenue increased 23.9% to $44.17B, rebounding from $35.66B in FY2024 and $40.84B in FY2023. Over the five-year period from FY2020 to FY2025, revenue expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 20.4%. Net income for FY2025 reached $10.82B with a net margin of 24.5%, up from $6.11B and a 17.1% margin in FY2024. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 69.5% year-over-4quarter comparison, while quarterly earnings grew 83.8% year-over-year. Operating margin stood at 18.6% in FY2025 and 43.1% on a trailing-twelve-month basis.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Canadian Natural Resources held $2.62B in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $17.14B, resulting in net debt of $14.53B. Shareholders' equity was $46.80B against total assets of $96.58B, yielding a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37 and a current ratio of 1.00. In FY2025, operating cash flow reached $15.09B, supporting capital expenditures of $6.67B. Cash returns to shareholders in FY2025 included $4.87B in dividends paid and $1.45B in share buybacks.
Valuation and performance
CNQ trades at a trailing price-to-earnings multiple of 13.2x, below the 15.0x median of its US-listed Energy peers. Its forward P/E of 13.9x is above the peer median of 12.7x. The company's enterprise value to EBITDA ratio is 6.4x, compared to the peer median of 8.0x, while its price-to-sales multiple is 2.5x versus the peer median of 1.8x. Over the past year, the stock returned 85.6%, outperforming the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%. Over a five-year horizon, the stock returned 232.5% versus 83.0% for the S&P 500.
CNQ dividend
Canadian Natural Resources pays an annual forward dividend of $1.76 per share, representing a dividend yield of 3.27% with a payout ratio of 39.8%. The company has paid dividends for 26 consecutive years and achieved a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 22.2%. Distributions are paid on a quarterly schedule, with the most recent ex-dividend date on September 11, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street analysts hold 7 Strong Buy, 3 Buy, 11 Hold, and 2 Sell ratings on CNQ. The mean price target is $48.78, which sits 9.3% below the last close of $53.80 on October 16, 2026. For the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts estimate revenue of $49.18B and EPS of $6.54, reflecting 84.2% EPS growth. The company has beaten EPS expectations in each of the last 4 quarters, with next earnings scheduled for November 5, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Historical revenue volatility is significant, having declined 17.6% in FY2023 and 12.7% in FY2024 before rising in FY2025.
- Gross margins compressed from 49.3% in FY2024 to 21.3% in FY2025.
- Current ratio is at 1.00 as of June 30, 2026, leaving limited working capital cushion.
- Forward price-to-earnings of 13.9x represents a premium over the US-listed Energy peer median of 12.7x.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this CNQ AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: CNQ income statement, CNQ balance sheet, CNQ key metrics, CNQ analyst forecast, CNQ chart. See the CNQ stock overview for the latest quote and news.
CNQ AI stock analysis FAQ
What is the dividend yield and payout schedule for CNQ?
Canadian Natural Resources offers a dividend yield of 3.27% based on an annual forward dividend of $1.76. It distributes dividends on a quarterly schedule and has paid dividends for 26 consecutive years.
When does Canadian Natural Resources report next earnings?
The company's next earnings report date is November 5, 2026. It has beaten consensus EPS estimates in each of the last 4 quarters.
How much debt does Canadian Natural Resources carry?
As of June 30, 2026, the company carried total debt of $17.14B and cash and short-term investments of $2.62B, resulting in net debt of $14.53B and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37.
What are analysts' price targets and expectations for CNQ?
The consensus mean price target is $48.78, which is 9.3% below the last close of $53.80. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts project revenue of $49.18B and EPS of $6.54.