1 Undervalued Canadian Stock Quietly Gearing Up for 2026

Let’s dive into why Suncor (TSX:SU) looks like one of the top no-brainer picks for investors looking for a mix of value, growth, and yield right now.

| More on:
Key Points
  • Suncor's record operational performance includes hitting all-time highs in upstream production and refining throughput, achieving its 2024 Investor Day targets a year early, which positions it as a structurally leaner operator with enhanced capital-return capabilities.
  • Despite trimming capital spending while planning to grow production, Suncor remains undervalued at a low-teens forward P/E multiple, making it an attractive blue-chip investment in the energy sector, offering potential for growth with a 3.1% dividend yield.

There are many top undervalued stocks for investors to consider in 2026, even with most global indices now trading at or near all-time highs.

In this space, I continue to think Suncor (TSX: SU) is one top Canadian energy stock that could be poised for big moves higher.

Here’s why I remain bullish on Suncor for the long term, and it surprisingly doesn’t have as much to do with rising oil prices as investors may think.

chart reflected in eyeglass lenses

Source: Getty Images

Why is Suncor such a great opportunity?

To start, Suncor’s recent fundamentals have been more than solid.

The company just posted record numbers on the operational front. Suncor recently hit all‑time highs in upstream production, upgrader utilization, and refining throughput. Impressively, those results all came while Suncor announced the company has achieved its 2024 Investor Day targets a full year early.

Those targets included boosting normalized free cash flow by billions of dollars, lowering its corporate WTI breakeven by about US$10 per barrel, cutting net debt to around the $6–$8 billion range, and unlocking a framework whereby “all excess funds” now flow to shareholders. In other words, investors are looking at a structurally leaner operator with more barrels, lower costs, and a clearer capital‑return mandate than at any point in the past decade

What really sets up 2026 is Suncor’s plan to grow production while actually trimming capital spending. The company’s anticipated CapEx budget has been reduced from last year. That said, Suncor still expects to provide mine improvements and oil sands expansions.

If these projects continue as planned, these higher oil prices should translate into skyrocketing earnings in the coming quarters. While some of this is priced in right now, I’d argue there’s more lead left in the pencil for investors today.

Valuation matters

Despite this reset, Suncor still trades at a forward price‑to‑earnings multiple in the low‑teens. Currently, this number comes in at around 16 times trailing earnings. That’s very cheap for a stock with a 3.1% dividend yield and one of the best balance sheets in the oil patch.

In other words, for investors looking to generate exposure to one of the best blue-chip stocks in a sector that should continue to catch a bid for a very long time, Suncor looks like a top pick of mine right now.

This stock remains very cheap, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty I expect to continue. Thus, as both a defensive value, dividend and growth play, there’s a lot to like about how Suncor is positioned here.

Fool contributor Chris MacDonald 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

runner checks her biodata on smartwatch
Energy Stocks

1 Canadian Stock Down 14% to Buy for Lifelong Passive Income

This stock now offers a dividend yield above 5.5%.

Read more »

how to save money
Energy Stocks

This Dividend Stock Pays Monthly and Yields 6%: Here’s What $7,000 Could Pay You

Freehold Royalties pairs a 6%-plus monthly dividend with an asset-light royalty model that can keep cash flowing without drilling wells.

Read more »

Dam of hydroelectric power plant in Canadian Rockies
Energy Stocks

Here Are the Canadian Stocks I’d Feel Safest Holding Forever

Given their regulated asset base, low-risk operations, consistent dividend growth, and visible growth prospects, these two defensive stocks are ideal…

Read more »

Aerial view of a wind farm
Energy Stocks

Cautious Investors: 2 Safer High-Yield Dividend Stocks for Canadians

Canadians should add Enbridge and Brookfield Renewable Partners on their watchlist for potential buy-the-dip opportunities on market corrections.

Read more »

golden sunset in crude oil refinery with pipeline system
Energy Stocks

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

Enbridge just reaffirmed 2026 guidance and grew its project backlog to $50 billion. Here's what it means for the TSX…

Read more »

boy in bowtie and glasses gives positive thumbs up
Energy Stocks

Down 12% From Its All-Time High: Is This 5.5% Dividend Stock Now a Buy?

This TSX giant might be getting oversold.

Read more »

a man relaxes with his feet on a pile of books
Energy Stocks

2 TFSA Investing Tactics Used by Wealthy Canadians

These strategies can help build retirement wealth while reducing potential taxes.

Read more »

A glass jar resting on its side with Canadian banknotes and change inside.
Energy Stocks

Waiting Until 45 Instead of 35 to Invest $500 a Month Could Cost You $450,000 by 65

Starting with $500 a month at 35 instead of 45 could mean hundreds of thousands more at 65, even with…

Read more »