Dividend Investors: Top Canadian Energy Stocks to Buy in December

Suncor Energy Inc (TSX:SU) is a great energy stock to own in December.

| More on:
Key Points
  • Canadian oil stocks are looking bullish in September.
  • Suncor Energy stock just delivered a massive earnings beat and rallied in the markets. It's still fairly cheap today.
  • Enbridge offers considerable dividend income and its business model is not vulnerable to oil price swings.
  • $1.8 billion in adjusted net income.
  • $1.5 in earnings per share (EPS), a beat by $0.34.
  • $3.8 billion in adjusted funds from operations (AFFO).
  • $3.8 billion in cash from operations (CFO).
  • 492,000 barrels of oil refined per day.
  • $1.5 billion returned to shareholders – $750 million in buybacks and $700 million in dividends.

Although most of these metrics declined on a year-over-year basis, they did not decline by a lot, indicating that Suncor was doing a good job even amid the relatively low oil prices observed in the third quarter. That’s the mark of a resilient oil company, and a big part of why I hold a small position in Suncor stock today.

canadian energy oil

Image source: Getty Images

Enbridge

Enbridge Inc (TSX:ENB) is a Canadian midstream company and natural gas utility. Its main business activity is shipping oil to buyers across North America via its vast network of oil pipelines, which total 29,104 kilometres in length. The company is the number one supplier of Canadian crude to the U.S., the number one supplier of natural gas utility services to Ontario, and the largest overall midstream company in North America.

Unlike Suncor, Enbridge stock has not been doing well in the markets this year. Up 12% year to date or 17% including dividends, its price performance has been far behind that of the TSX Index. The main appeal of this stock is its dividend, which yields 5.5% at today’s prices – far above the TSX average.

Despite that fact, Enbridge is actually doing pretty well as a business this year, with revenue up 82%, EBITDA up 17%, and operating earnings up 19% year over year. There seems to be a disconnect between fundamentals and price performance here. On the flip side, the stock trades at 23 times earnings, which is a little pricier than TSX oil stocks as a group. Enbridge arguably deserves this premium because its business model isn’t as vulnerable to commodity price swings as exploration and production companies are. Still, it is pricey on a sector-relative basis.

Personally, I would be quite comfortable owning Enbridge today, though I don’t actually own it (I do own Suncor). The valuation factor is not quite in this stock’s favour in my view.

December is shaping up to be a big month for Canadian energy stocks.

Last month, oil and gas investors were treated to a welcome surprise when Suncor Energy (TSX:SU) put out an earnings release that beat EPS expectations by an impressive 30%. Even though oil prices were not high at the time, Suncor stock rallied 6.5% the day after its earnings came out, leading to improved sentiment toward Canadian energy companies as a whole.

Which brings us to today. Oil prices are not rising, but they are stable enough for Canadian oil companies to make comfortable profits. With the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) choosing to keep output stable rather than increase it, as it had been doing earlier in the year, the fundamentals are in place for oil prices to remain stable, and for Canadian oil companies to put out good earnings. In this article, I share two oil stocks that are looking good in December.

Suncor Energy

Suncor Energy is a Canadian integrated oil and gas company involved in the extraction, sale, and refining of crude oil and natural gas. One of Canada’s most diversified energy companies, it is involved in all aspects of the oil and gas supply chain (except for midstream). Its stock yields 3.8% and the dividend has increased at a rate of an 11.8% CAGR over the last five years.

Suncor Energy’s most recent earnings release was a major beat, boasting metrics such as:

  • $1.8 billion in adjusted net income.
  • $1.5 in earnings per share (EPS), a beat by $0.34.
  • $3.8 billion in adjusted funds from operations (AFFO).
  • $3.8 billion in cash from operations (CFO).
  • 492,000 barrels of oil refined per day.
  • $1.5 billion returned to shareholders – $750 million in buybacks and $700 million in dividends.

Although most of these metrics declined on a year-over-year basis, they did not decline by a lot, indicating that Suncor was doing a good job even amid the relatively low oil prices observed in the third quarter. That’s the mark of a resilient oil company, and a big part of why I hold a small position in Suncor stock today.

Enbridge

Enbridge Inc (TSX:ENB) is a Canadian midstream company and natural gas utility. Its main business activity is shipping oil to buyers across North America via its vast network of oil pipelines, which total 29,104 kilometres in length. The company is the number one supplier of Canadian crude to the U.S., the number one supplier of natural gas utility services to Ontario, and the largest overall midstream company in North America.

Unlike Suncor, Enbridge stock has not been doing well in the markets this year. Up 12% year to date or 17% including dividends, its price performance has been far behind that of the TSX Index. The main appeal of this stock is its dividend, which yields 5.5% at today’s prices – far above the TSX average.

Despite that fact, Enbridge is actually doing pretty well as a business this year, with revenue up 82%, EBITDA up 17%, and operating earnings up 19% year over year. There seems to be a disconnect between fundamentals and price performance here. On the flip side, the stock trades at 23 times earnings, which is a little pricier than TSX oil stocks as a group. Enbridge arguably deserves this premium because its business model isn’t as vulnerable to commodity price swings as exploration and production companies are. Still, it is pricey on a sector-relative basis.

Personally, I would be quite comfortable owning Enbridge today, though I don’t actually own it (I do own Suncor). The valuation factor is not quite in this stock’s favour in my view.

Fool contributor Andrew Button owns Suncor Energy stock. The Motley Fool recommends Enbridge. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

More on Energy Stocks

Oil industry worker works in oilfield
Energy Stocks

1 Canadian Energy Stocks Poised for Big Growth in 2026

This top Canadian energy stock could be the biggest winner from the recent global energy crisis. Here is why it…

Read more »

man gives stopping gesture
Energy Stocks

Revealed: Here’s the Only Canadian Stock I’d Refuse to Sell

This Canadian stock stands out as a rare long‑term hold thanks to its stable cash flow, reliable dividends, and essential…

Read more »

oil pumps at sunset
Energy Stocks

1 Canadian Energy Stock Quietly Positioning for a Big Year

A 6% yield and stronger U.S. production make this Canadian energy stock worth considering in 2026.

Read more »

financial chart graphs and oil pumps on a field
Energy Stocks

3 Canadian Stocks to Buy Before Oil Volatility Returns

Oil's quiet phases mask potential volatility, so investors should seek stocks with real assets, clean balance sheets, and active catalysts.

Read more »

woman gazes forward out window to future
Energy Stocks

2 Dividend Stocks I’d Feel Good About Holding for the Next 7 Years

Here are two TSX dividend stocks to add to your self-directed investment portfolio for the long run.

Read more »

golden sunset in crude oil refinery with pipeline system
Energy Stocks

Oil Isn’t the Only Story: 2 Canadian Stocks to Watch Now

Oil may dominate the news, but two TSX names tied to nuclear power and broadband could be the smarter volatility…

Read more »

Map of Canada with city lights illuminated
Energy Stocks

The 3 Dividend Stocks I Think Every Investor Should Own

These companies are well-positioned to continue growing their dividends for decades, making them reliable stocks that investor should own.

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

The Best $10,000 TFSA Approach for Canadian Investors

Canadian investors with $10,000 TFSA money can achieve diversification and create a self-sustaining cash-flow engine for decades to come.

Read more »