Oil volatility has investors around the world on edge, and the same goes for Canadians. After all, much of our economy is supported by the oil and gas sector, so any movement can certainly put pressure on the Canadian economy, not just the stock market.
Yet volatility doesn’t mean the market is risky. In fact, it can reveal which stocks are worth investing in, and what opportunities are available on the TSX today.
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An opportunity to watch
First, let’s look at what’s been going. Oil markets moved sharply due to supply fears, geopolitical conflict, and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed to US$98.32, while Brent hit US$104.46, as investors reacted to renewed Iran-related tensions. These price moves can squeeze consumers and hurt some sectors, but they can also boost cash flow for oil producers almost immediately.
So, where might some opportunities lie? Investors may want companies with scale, production growth, dividends, and strong balance sheets. These companies can use higher oil prices to pay down debt, fund dividends, buy back stock, and invest in future production.
In terms of Canadian energy, these companies could benefit as many producers have already spent years improving balance sheets instead of chasing growth at any cost. Stronger companies can then turn higher oil prices into free cash flow. And there are a few I’d sincerely consider before others.
WCP
Whitecap Resources (TSX:WCP) is a huge win combining scale, oil and liquids exposure, dividends, and recent production growth. Much of that growth comes from its merger with Veren, creating one of the biggest land positions in the Alberta Montney and Duvernay. So not only is it a mature stock with a solid bottom line, but it’s providing investors with a major growth opportunity.
Its first quarter earnings for 2026 proved this. WCP’s production averaged 391,416 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), including 242,107 barrels per day of liquids. WCP also generated $1 billion in funds flow during the quarter, and free funds flow came in at $349 million, even after heavy capital spending of $676.3 million.
Meanwhile, WCP stock returned $221 million to shareholders through dividends during the quarter. And more is on the way, with the stock raising its 2026 production guidance to 380,000 boe/d, while keeping its capital budget unchanged. All while trading at 21 times earnings, with a 4.6% dividend yield at writing. That income alone could bring in ample income even from $7,000, as much as around $315 per year, dished out monthly!
| COMPANY | RECENT PRICE | NUMBER OF SHARES | ANNUAL DIVIDEND | ANNUAL TOTAL PAYOUT | FREQUENCY | TOTAL INVESTMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WCP | $16.12 | 434 | $0.73 | $316.82 | Monthly | $6,996.08 |
Bottom line
So, yes, oil volatility can create panic, but it can also create opportunity. Yet that’s only going to happen for investors seeking out those opportunities. For those looking at WCP, it stands out for its scale, record production, monthly dividend, and Veren merger. If oil therefore keeps swinging for the fences, WCP stock could be a solid one to watch.
