2 Cheap Energy Stocks With Great Dividends

These two top energy stocks raised their dividends in 2021 and more big hikes should be on the way in 2022. Here’s why.

| More on:

While the overall market appears a bit overbought these days, dividend investors can still find good deals in certain sectors, including Canadian energy stocks.

Imperial Oil

Imperial Oil (TSX:IMO) tanked in the early part of the pandemic. Since then, the stock has staged a steady rebound on the recovery in oil prices and a positive outlook for fuel demand.

Imperial Oil has production, refining, and retail divisions. The balanced revenue stream would normally provide a decent hedge against volatility in oil prices, but the pandemic crash hit all three groups. Margins plunged in the upstream segment while the crash in fuel demand hit refineries and gas stations.

As airlines ramp up capacity and commuters get back on the road, the downstream businesses should see a continued recovery through the end of the year and into 2022.

Imperial Oil raised its dividend by nearly 23% earlier this year as higher oil prices resulted in a surge in cash flow. The increase of the quarterly payout from $0.22 to $0.27 surprised the market and helped send the share price higher. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is down from its 2021 high but still trades near US$70 per barrel, which is a very profitable price for Imperial Oil.

The stock trades at $34 per share compared to the 2021 high of $41, so investors have a chance to buy on a nice dip. At the current share price Imperial Oil stock provides a decent 3% yield. Investors should see another large hike to the payout in 2022. In addition, the company intends to repurchase up to 5% of the outstanding common stock over the next year top of the 4% of the float the company bought back in Q2 2021.

Canadian Natural Resources

Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ)(NYSE:CNQ) is a giant in the Canadian energy sector with a market capitalization of $52 billion. The company is primarily known as an oil producer with resources that include oil sands, offshore oil, conventional heavy oil, and conventional light oil. CNRL is also a major natural gas producer with significant production and vast landholding in key resource basins.

The company is a cash machine at current energy prices. Pundits expect oil to maintain or extend its price gains through 2022 as the global economy reopens. Natural gas held up well last year and is currently trading near its highest price in a decade. In the Q2 2021 earnings report, CNRL said it is on track to generate at least $7.2 billion in free cash flow in 2021. Assuming oil and gas prices remain near current levels, 2022 will bring a profit bonanza for CNRL and its shareholders.

The board raised the dividend by 11% in 2021. CNRL is using excess cash to reduce debt and buy back shares and that will continue next year. In addition, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the company boost the dividend by more than 20% in 2022.

The stock trades near $44 at the time of writing. That’s down slightly from the 2021 highs. Even with the strong rally off the 2020 lows, CNRL still looks cheap. The market might not fully appreciate how much free cash flow this business could generate in the coming years.

Investors who buy now can pick up a 4.3% dividend yield.

The bottom line

Imperial Oil and CNRL are top Canadian energy stocks that raised their payouts in 2021 and should deliver large distribution gains in 2022. The stocks appear cheap today and offer attractive yields for dividend investors.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Fool contributor Andrew Walker owns shares of Canadian Natural Resources.

More on Energy Stocks

man touches brain to show a good idea
Energy Stocks

1 No-Brainer Energy Stock to Buy With $500 Right Now

Should you buy a cyclical energy stock at its decade-high? Probably not. But read this before you make a decision.

Read more »

A solar cell panel generates power in a country mountain landscape.
Energy Stocks

Top Canadian Renewable Energy Stocks to Buy Now

Here are two top renewable energy stocks long-term investors can put in their portfolios and forget about for a decade…

Read more »

oil and gas pipeline
Energy Stocks

Where Will Enbridge Stock Be in 3 Years?

After 29 straight years of increasing its dividend and a current yield of 6%, here's why Enbridge is one of…

Read more »

Pumpjack in Alberta Canada
Energy Stocks

Is Enbridge Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Enbridge stock just hit a multi-year high.

Read more »

oil pump jack under night sky
Energy Stocks

Where Will CNQ Stock Be in 3 Years?

Here’s why CNQ stock could continue to outperform the broader market by a huge margin over the next three years.

Read more »

engineer at wind farm
Energy Stocks

Invest $20,000 in This Dividend Stock for $100 in Monthly Passive Income

This dividend stock has it all – a strong outlook, monthly income, and even more to consider buying today.

Read more »

A worker overlooks an oil refinery plant.
Energy Stocks

Is Imperial Oil Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold for 2025?

Valued at a market cap of $55 billion, Imperial Oil pays shareholders a growing dividend yield of 2.4%. Is the…

Read more »

Pumpjack in Alberta Canada
Energy Stocks

Where Will Imperial Oil Stock Be in 1 Year?

Imperial Oil is a TSX energy stock that has delivered market-thumping returns to shareholders over the last two decades.

Read more »