Up 70% in 7 Months! Is it Too Late to Invest in Suncor Energy Stock?

Suncor Energy is well-positioned as the company continues to create value through efficiencies and better asset utilization.

| More on:
Key Points
  • • Integrated model reduces commodity volatility: Unlike typical oil stocks, Suncor's diversified operations across upstream production, refining, and 1,800 Petro Canada retail locations provide more stable cash flows and flexibility to capitalize on the most profitable segments of the value chain.
  • • Record performance justifies valuation: Despite trading at all-time highs, Suncor delivered record production and utilization while keeping costs lower, with adjusted funds flow per share up 6% to $3.16 and EPS of $1.48 beating expectations by 37%, yet trades at just 14x earnings with a 3.8% dividend yield.
  • 5 stocks our experts like better than Suncor Energy

Commodity stocks are an interesting type of stock. Their cyclicality means more volatility, with more upside but also more downside. For this reason, many investors are nervous about investing in these stocks. Oil and gas stocks like Suncor Energy (TSX: SU) are commodity stocks but with a twist. Up 70% in the last seven months, can Suncor Energy stock maintain this strength?

Let’s look into this.

a person watches stock market trades

Source: Getty Images

Suncor is a different kind of commodity stock

As an oil and gas company, Suncor is obviously exposed to oil and gas prices. But Suncor is different. Its focus has been on diversification and exposure to many different parts of the value chain, which lowers risk. It steadies cash flows from one quarter to another, as it lessens the impact of changes in oil and gas prices on cash flows.

Suncor’s oil and gas business comprises a large network of downstream locations (refining) as well as an upstream segment (exploration and production). It’s also comprised of 1,800 Petro Canada retail and wholesale locations across Canada. This means that the company has exposure to different parts of the oil and gas value chain. It also means that Suncor has the ability to make decisions to take advantage of the most profitable area at any given time. And it means that Suncor is not as concerned with the WTI oil price as it is with the spread – or the difference between the refined product prices and the raw commodity (oil and gas) prices.

Record operational performance

It’s tempting to believe that Suncor Energy’s recent stock price performance will be followed by weakness. After all, the stock has broken records and is now trading at all-time highs. And it’s a commodity stock, so this can be viewed as a sell signal.

However, as I discussed in the previous section, Suncor is not exactly a typical commodity or oil and gas company. But more than this, Suncor has been breaking records within its business. And I think that this, in and of itself, can justify its stock price action. And I also think that this means that there could be a lot more upside to be had.

For example, in Suncor’s latest quarter, production broke records. Utilization broke records. Operating costs trended lower, and of course, this was accompanied by record financial performance as well. Adjusted funds flow increased 1% versus last year to $3.8 billion despite lower oil prices. Adjusted funds flow per share increased 6% to $3.16 because of Suncor’s share-buyback program.

Additionally, the company’s earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter came in at $1.48, far surpassing expectations of $1.08 and consistent with last year despite oil prices that were significantly lower.

The bottom line

At this time, Suncor Energy stock is trading at a mere 14 times this year’s earnings and 6.2 times cash flow. In my view, the company’s momentum can be expected to continue. And while oil prices are important, it’s more complicated than that. Suncor’s returns are up, and shareholder value creation is rising right along with it. For dividend investors, Suncor stock is currently yielding 3.8% and is backed by relatively steady and predictable cash flows.

Fool contributor Karen Thomas has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Energy Stocks

investor schemes to buy stocks before market notices them
Energy Stocks

GIC or Dividend Stock? Here’s Where I’d Put $10,000 for the Next 5 Years

I'd invest in this hydro producer and wait for the share price to recover if the timing goes wrong.

Read more »

man gives stopping gesture
Energy Stocks

Enbridge Stock: Buy, Hold, or Sell This September

The recent pullback has investors wondering if Enbridge is now oversold.

Read more »

Dam of hydroelectric power plant in Canadian Rockies
Energy Stocks

The Dividend Stock That Could Buy You Back a Few Hours of Peace of Mind

Hydro One (TSX:H) stock looks like a decent deal for income investors after a huge slump.

Read more »

a man celebrates his good fortune with a disco ball and confetti
Energy Stocks

Where Will Cenovus Stock Be in the Next 3 Years?

With energy prices boosting Cenovus’s cash flow, here’s how the company is benefiting and positioning itself for the future.

Read more »

oil pumps at sunset
Energy Stocks

Enbridge Stock: Should Investors Buy, Sell, or Hold Right Now?

Is Enbridge now oversold?

Read more »

oil pumps at sunset
Energy Stocks

Why Canadian Natural Resources Could Be a Huge Winner as Oil Prices Spike

CNQ stock offers rare leverage to rising oil prices, ultra low costs, and a 26-year dividend streak.

Read more »

A worker overlooks an oil refinery plant.
Energy Stocks

Crude Oil Is Soaring, and Here’s How Canadian Energy Investors Can Play it

Crude oil is back above US$100 per barrel, and these two top Canadian energy stocks could give investors a great…

Read more »

Oil industry worker works in oilfield
Energy Stocks

Oil Price Spike: Is it Too Late to Buy Enbridge Stock?

While higher oil prices create a positive backdrop for energy stocks, they aren't necessarily the main reason to buy Enbridge.

Read more »