December 28, 2023
Top 10 Stock Canadian Natural Resources Buy Recommendation



How to read the ranks

For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:

Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".

Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".

Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.

Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.

(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).

(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.

Snapshot: Canadian Natural Resources – Top 10 Stock in Oil & Gas Mining and Production


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Canadian Natural Resources is listed as a top 10 stock on December 28, 2023 in the market index Oil & Gas because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. Three consolidated Obermatt Ranks are above-average. Only the Value Rank is below average. The investment rationale may be an investment in future growth, supported by professional market opinion. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 58 (high 58% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall buy recommendation for Canadian Natural Resources on December 28, 2023.


Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks


Country Canada
Industry Oil & Gas Production
Index Low Emissions, Low Waste, Oil & Gas, Recycling, Water Efficiency, TSX Composite
Size class XX-Large
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Top 10 Stocks ≠ most popular stocks

When Obermatt identifies the Top 10 stocks in a market, it’s based on a certain investment strategy. The best performing stocks usually aren’t the ones that everyone is talking about (those are often "over-priced" and have low Value ranks).

For each investment strategy, we provide you with more detailed analysis and our recommendation. You see the ranks of the top 10 stocks ranked by that particular investment strategy (360° View, Sentiment, Value, Growth, Safety and Combined Financial Performance).


360° View: Obermatt 360° View Canadian Natural Resources Buy

360 METRICS December 28, 2023
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT
360° VIEW
360° VIEW

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 58 (better than 58% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Canadian Natural Resources are above average. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Canadian Natural Resources. The consolidated Growth Rank has a good rank of 67, which means that the company experiences above-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth, as well as stock returns. This means that growth is higher than for 67% of competitors in the same industry. The consolidated Safety Rank at 62 means that the company has a financing structure that is safer than 62% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. Finally, the consolidated Sentiment Rank has a good rank of 52, which means that professional investors are more optimistic about the stock than for 52% of alternative investment opportunities. But the consolidated Value Rank is less desirable at 39, meaning that the share price of Canadian Natural Resources is on the higher side compared with indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is higher than for 61% of alternative stocks in the same industry. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 58, Canadian Natural Resources is better positioned than 58% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, such as above-average growth (Growth Rank of 67), a safe financing structure (Safety Rank of 62), and positive professional market sentiment (Sentiment Rank of 52), it is a solid stock investment where growth may be the strongest driver of the investment rationale, also reflected by institutional investors. It is typical for growth companies to have low value, as is the case here. Investors are willing to pay more for companies that outperform their competitors. So the question is, how much more do you pay for the stock of Canadian Natural Resources compared with alternatives? You can use the following rule of thumb: The growth rank measures the growth momentum of the company (67% better than peers). The value rank could be the reverse reflection of that (33%). A Value Rank below that level may be assessed as expensive, a rank above that is still good value. Sometimes market sentiment just reflects the past, sometimes the reality. You pay more than the market average for this stock, but it may be worth it. ...read more




Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Canadian Natural Resources positive

SENTIMENT METRICS December 28, 2023
ANALYST OPINION
ANALYST OPINION
OPINIONS CHANGE
OPINIONS CHANGE
PRO HOLDINGS
PRO HOLDINGS
MARKET PULSE
MARKET PULSE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 52 (better than 52% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Canadian Natural Resources is above average. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators where all but one are above average for Canadian Natural Resources. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 53 (better than 53% of alternative investments), which means that currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. The Professional Investors rank is also good at 73, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 73% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. In addition, Market Pulse has a rank of 71 which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the positive side when discussing this company (more positive news than for 71% of competitors). But Analyst Opinions Change has a below-average rank of 16, which means that stock research experts are currently changing their opinions for the worse when it comes to recommending this stock. In other words, they are getting more critical of investments in Canadian Natural Resources. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 52 (more positive than 52% compared with investment alternatives), Canadian Natural Resources has a reputation among professional investors that is above-average compared with that of its competitors. This is an early sign of caution, even if the stock has significantly appreciated. If analysts change their opinions, the stock may become too expensive. If the price is on the way down, the trend may continue. This may be a stock with a good reputation and history, but it may have reached its breaking point by now. Investors should look at the Value Ranks as well. If they indicate trouble, it might just materialize in the future. ...read more



Value Strategy: Canadian Natural Resources Stock Price Value below-average critical

VALUE METRICS December 28, 2023
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
DIVIDEND YIELD
DIVIDEND YIELD
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 39 (worse than 61% compared with alternatives), Canadian Natural Resources shares are more expensive than the average comparable stock. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Canadian Natural Resources. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 77% of comparable companies, making the stock an attractive buy for dividend investors. However, dividend investors may get disappointed because all other critical financial indicators are below the market median: Price-to-Sales is 26 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 74% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Canadian Natural Resources's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 33 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 67% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 30 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 70% of comparable investments. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 39, is a hold recommendation based on Canadian Natural Resources's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick Canadian Natural Resources? The company-reported financials speak against it. The company is expensive compared with revenue and invested capital levels, two reliable company size indicators. In addition, it currently has a low level of profits. How can future dividends be paid in the case that profits remain low? Dividend investors should choose Canadian Natural Resources only if they reasonably expect the low current profit levels to be transitory. ...read more



Growth Strategy: Canadian Natural Resources Growth Momentum good

GROWTH METRICS December 28, 2023
REVENUE GROWTH
REVENUE GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH
STOCK RETURNS
STOCK RETURNS
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 67 (better than 67% compared with alternatives), Canadian Natural Resources shows an above-average growth dynamic in its industry. Investors also speak of positive momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Canadian Natural Resources. Profit Growth has a rank of 66 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its profits more than 66% of its competitors. The same is valid for capital growth and stock returns. Capital Growth has a rank of 60, and Stock Returns has a rank of 93 which means that the stock returns have recently been above 93% of alternative investments. Only revenue growth is low with a Sales Growth has a rank of 10 (90% of its competitors are better). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 67, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. The many positive growth indicators indicate a positive growth momentum with only low revenue growth. That can also be attributed to divestments or the sale of unprofitable businesses. If that is the reason, overall growth is well on track to making this stock attractive for growth investors. ...read more



Safety Strategy: Canadian Natural Resources Debt Financing Safety above-average

SAFETY METRICS December 28, 2023
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE
REFINANCING
REFINANCING
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 62 (better than 62% compared with alternatives), the company Canadian Natural Resources has financing practices on the safer side, which mean that their overall debt burden is lower than average. This doesn't mean that the business of Canadian Natural Resources is safe, it only means that the company is on the safer side regarding possible bankruptcy, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, where all three are above average for Canadian Natural Resources. Leverage is at 58, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 58% of its competitors. Refinancing is at a rank of 58, meaning that the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 58% of its competitors. Finally, Liquidity is also good at a rank of 57, which means that the company generates more profit to service its debt than 57% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 62 (better than 62% compared with alternatives), Canadian Natural Resources has a financing structure that is safer than that of its competitors. These three positive financing indicators signal that the company is less likely to default on its debt obligations. However, it also means that its shareholder returns will be more modest if things go well. A low safety means fewer troubles in downtimes and less upside in good times. ...read more



Combined financial peformance: Canadian Natural Resources Above-Average Financial Performance

COMBINED PERFORMANCE December 28, 2023
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
COMBINED
COMBINED

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 67 (better than 67% compared with investment alternatives), Canadian Natural Resources (Oil & Gas Production, Canada) shares have above-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Canadian Natural Resources are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 39 (worse than 61% of alternatives). But they show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 67) and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 62, which means below-average debt burdens). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 67, is a buy recommendation based on Canadian Natural Resources's financial characteristics. Investors looking for growth and low financial risk may find this stock attractive. While the company Canadian Natural Resources exhibits low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 39), which means that the stock price is rather high, it also demonstrates above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 67). This is a typical case, as high-growth companies are often expensive. Good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 62) are a double-edged sword: if the company continues growing, low debt limits shareholder returns. But if the company increases its debt, it will also increase risk. In other words, this is an investment on the safer side, despite the above-average price (low value). ...read more

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