Cardinal Energy Ltd. (TSX:CJ), one of the fastest growing junior oil and natural gas producers in Canada, announced fourth-quarter earnings results after the market closed on March 23, and its stock has responded by rising over 2% in the trading sessions since. Let’s take a closer look at the quarterly results to determine if we should consider initiating long-term positions today, or if we should look elsewhere for an investment instead.
Acquisitions driving revenues higher
Here’s a summary of Cardinal’s fourth-quarter earnings results compared to its results in the same period a year ago.
| Metric | Q4 2014 | Q4 2013 |
| Diluted Earnings Per Share | $0.46 | $2.33 |
| Petroleum & Natural Gas Revenue | $63.16 million | $12.25 million |
Source: Cardinal Energy Ltd.
Cardinal’s fully diluted earnings per share decreased 80.3% and its revenue increased 415.8% compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. The company’s steep decline in net income and triple-digit increase in revenue can be attributed to two major acquisitions it made in Alberta in the third quarter, which led to its average daily production increasing 405.2% to 10,888 barrels of oil equivalents per day.
Here’s a quick breakdown of six other notable statistics from the report compared to the year-ago period:
- Average production of crude oil and natural gas liquids increased 418.9% to 10,197 barrels per day
- Average production of natural gas increased 264.1% to 4.15 million cubic feet per day
- Funds from operations increased 2,094.1% to $26.57 million
- Funds from operations increased 475% to $0.46 per diluted share
- Development capital expenditures increased 2,563.1% to $9.88 million
- Net debt increased 487.7% to $54.07 million
Is now the time to buy Cardinal Energy?
Even after the slight post-earnings pop in Cardinal’s stock, I think it represents a great long-term investment opportunity, because it trades at inexpensive valuations and pays a very high dividend.
First, Cardinal’s stock trades at just 12.3 times fiscal 2014’s diluted earnings per share of $1.20, which is very inexpensive given its long-term growth potential, and this multiple would be even lower had the company not made the aforementioned acquisitions. I think the company can easily make over $2 per share in fiscal 2015 as a result of its increased production capacity and sales potential, which would give it a forward multiple of under 7.5.
Second, Cardinal pays a monthly dividend of $0.07 per share, or $0.84 per share annually, giving its stock a very high 5.7% yield at current levels and making it a value, growth, and dividend play today.
With all of the information provided above in mind, I think Cardinal Energy represents a great long-term investment opportunity today. Foolish investors should take a closer look and consider establishing positions.
