How Recent Developments Are Shaping the Canadian Natural Resources Investment Story

November 23, 2025

Canadian Natural Resources has seen its Fair Value Estimate edge up slightly to CA$52.95, signaling modestly improved projections from analysts. This subtle change reflects updated industry trends, shifts in the energy market, and the company’s resilient performance. Stay tuned to discover how you can keep informed as the narrative around this key energy stock continues to evolve.

Stay updated as the Fair Value for Canadian Natural Resources shifts by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Canadian Natural Resources.

Analyst commentary on Canadian Natural Resources has trended cautiously optimistic, with a mixture of bullish outlooks and some acknowledged reservations about broader sector dynamics and valuation. Here is how views break down from recent research notes:

🐂 Bullish Takeaways

  • TD Securities has reiterated its Buy rating while raising the price target twice, first to C$53 and then to C$55. These actions reflect confidence in Canadian Natural’s execution, particularly around capital discipline and resiliency. The firm notes only modest changes in commodity price assumptions.

  • Scotiabank has increased its price target to C$58 from C$54, also maintaining an Outperform rating. This highlights continued optimism regarding Canadian Natural’s returns and growth potential relative to peers.

  • Analysts overall reward the company for its steady return of capital strategy and consistent dividend growth positioning, which are viewed as drivers of sector-leading performance even across varying commodity environments.

🐻 Bearish Takeaways

  • Wells Fargo has initiated coverage with an Equal Weight rating and a C$47 price target, signaling a more neutral to cautious tone. The firm points out that broader sentiment toward oil and energy remains bearish, with soft demand indicators weighing on the outlook.

  • Analysts express reservations about potential headwinds from commodity volatility and valuations that may already reflect much of the upside in energy equities, including Canadian Natural Resources.

  • Concerns remain around global supply-demand balances, which could limit near-term share price appreciation even as the company demonstrates execution strength.

Overall, while Canadian Natural Resources is recognized for its disciplined capital return and resilient performance, the analyst community remains attentive to broader market risks and sector sentiment, leading to a balance of cautious optimism and measured expectations for future upside.

Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there’s more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives or begin writing your own Narrative!

TSX:CNQ Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025
TSX:CNQ Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025
  • Wells Fargo has begun analyst coverage of Canadian Natural Resources with an Equal Weight rating and a C$47 price target. The report notes broader sector bearishness but also highlights the company’s leadership in dividend growth and capital returns.

  • Canadian Natural Resources reported a substantial year-over-year production increase in the third quarter of 2025, averaging 2,668 MMcf/d in natural gas and 1,175,604 bbl/d in crude oil and NGLs.

  • The company completed a major share buyback tranche, repurchasing 18,320,000 shares for a total of CAD 790 million as part of its ongoing capital return program.

  • Updated corporate guidance projects 2025 production targets between 1,560 MBOE/d and 1,580 MBOE/d. This signals expected production growth of about 15% over 2024 levels.

  • The Fair Value Estimate has risen slightly to CA$52.95 from CA$52.83, reflecting modestly improved projections.

  • The Discount Rate remains nearly unchanged, moving marginally lower to 6.12%.

  • Revenue Growth projections have improved, with the contraction narrowing to -0.74% from a previous estimate of -1.04%.

  • The Net Profit Margin is up incrementally to 23.48% from 23.35%, indicating enhanced efficiency expectations.

  • The Future Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio has increased to 14.51x from 14.08x, suggesting a modest shift in forward valuation assumptions.

A Narrative is your opportunity to connect a company’s story with a financial forecast and fair value, giving context to the numbers behind the stock. Available on Simply Wall St’s Community page, Narratives let millions of investors track the evolving outlook, see how Fair Value compares to Price, and automatically update as news or results come in. They make it easier to know when to consider buying or selling, backed by real stories.

See what’s driving Canadian Natural Resources in the original Narrative and follow along to keep up with:

  • How strategic acquisitions and operational efficiencies are strengthening cash flow and margins for more stable earnings and growth.

  • The role of infrastructure expansion and a diversified asset base in enhancing revenue potential and market resilience.

  • What risks, such as regulatory pressures, pipeline challenges, or industry transition trends, could impact profitability and long-term value.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include CNQ.TO.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com

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