Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. vs Vistra Corp — how do they compare? Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. trades at $42.71 (market cap $88.15B), while Vistra Corp trades at $159.7 (market cap $53.42B). The key difference: Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. pays the higher dividend (4.13%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNQ | VST | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $88.15B | $53.42B |
Sector | Energy | Technology |
52-Week High | $50.55 | $217.92 |
52-Week Low | $29.31 | $134.71 |
Enterprise Value | $99.38B | $75.17B |
Dividend Yield | 4.13% | 0.58% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CNQ trades at $43.05, up 2.97% today, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages and ADX. The stock shows strong fundamentals with a P/E of 11.8, net income margin of 24.5%, and consistent earnings beats in recent quarters. Recent news highlights its robust asset base and operational efficiency amid volatile oil markets. Cash flow remains positive, with 2025 net cash flow at $542 million.
Outlook is positive with analyst consensus strongly favoring Buy (75%), driven by valuation appeal and shareholder returns via dividends and buybacks. Key risks include oil price volatility and rising debt-to-asset ratio, which increased to 22.04% in 2024. The stock's proximity to its 52-week high suggests cautious optimism, but fundamentals support long-term growth potential.
Vistra Corp. (VST) trades at $158.12, down 0.47% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. The company reported strong Q1 2026 earnings beating estimates, with revenue growth from $17.74B in 2025 to $19.4B projected for 2026. Net income margin improved to 11.52%, supported by robust cash flow from operations of $4.07B. Recent news highlights Vistra's positioning in the AI power demand surge and long-term power purchase agreements with major tech firms.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $230.50, implying significant upside. Key opportunities include exposure to growing electricity demand and strategic renewables focus. Risks involve power-price volatility, high debt levels, and execution of growth projects. Analyst sentiment is strongly bullish with 91% buy ratings, though investors should monitor Q2 2026 earnings due August 7 for confirmation of growth trajectory.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Canadian Natural Resources is one of the largest oil and natural gas producers in western Canada, supplemented by operations in the North Sea and Offshore Africa. The company's portfolio includes light and medium oil, heavy oil, bitumen, synthetic oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas. Production averaged 1.16 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2020, and the company estimates that it holds over 11.5 billion boe of proven and probable crude oil and natural gas reserves.
Read more on CNQ →Vistra is a leading integrated retail electricity and power generation company that serves as a critical infrastructure provider for the digital economy. It operates a diversified portfolio of zero-carbon nuclear and renewable assets alongside a massive, flexible natural gas fleet, positioning it as an indispensable partner for energy-intensive AI data centers and industrial electrification.
Read more on VST →