Canadian Natural Resources

CNQ

Market cap $72.1B

Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) remains a high-quality energy company with strong production growth, low break-even costs, and robust shareholder returns. Recent share price weakness tied to Venezuela-related fears appears overblown, creating a compelling buying opportunity in CNQ. CNQ delivered record Q3 production, solid cash flow even in a weak oil price environment, and maintains a 5.2% dividend yield with likely increases ahead.

Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ) earns a Strong Buy rating, driven by low production costs, diversified assets, and export growth potential. In this article, you will discover 9 reasons why CNQ is the best energy bet for 2026. Growth catalysts include the company's export growth and international expansion, as well as the potential for a shift in hydrocarbon market dynamics.

We're not even two weeks into 2026, and vanilla investors have already lost the plot. Their blindness has tossed 3 cheap—and growing—dividends into our laps.

Some safe dividend stocks also offer high yields. Their payouts are high but aren't risky, and are backed by strong fundamentals.

A full-scale resumption of Venezuelan oil exports would benefit refiners in the United States and lower their fuel production costs, with the refineries capable of absorbing most of the roughly 1 million barrels per day of crude that would trade freely if U.S. sanctions on the South American country are removed.

I reflect on my early dividend portfolio, which included PEP, HD, PSA, UNP, and DUK, and why it was too defensive for my age. Focusing on growth over yield in the early investing years is critical, as aggressive compounding outpaces immediate income for long-term wealth building. I advocate the 5% Rule: target a 5–6% average yield in retirement by leveraging high-growth, lower-yield stocks early and transitioning to higher-yield later.

I present a 20-stock model retirement portfolio targeting a balanced 5.6% yield, emphasizing both income and dividend growth. My approach avoids "sucker yields" by focusing on quality, sustainable payouts rather than chasing unsustainable high-yield stocks. The portfolio is diversified across BDCs, REITs, energy, and growth names, with allocations reflecting risk, yield, and income stability.

CNQ's dividend durability, low-cost assets and capital discipline make it attractive for income investors heading into 2026.

AI technologies are enabling the U.S. to smash old production records with much smaller rig counts. Oil prices are already down 10% in the past three months despite numerous geopolitical flare-ups.

Energy badly lagged this year, and I underestimated how severe the supply glut would be. I was early - but the long-term thesis remains firmly intact. Today's oil prices aren't sustainable. Low prices are forcing discipline, squeezing supply, and creating a rare setup where sentiment and fundamentals are deeply misaligned. With positioning extremely bearish and costs rising, I see energy setting up for a powerful reversal - offering both income and upside for patient investors.