Oil prices spur Encana

Article Excerpt

ENCANA CORP. $16.71 (Toronto symbol ECA; Shares outstanding: 971.0 million; Market cap: $16.1 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Average; Dividend yield: 0.5%; www.encana.com) has four key properties: Montney (B.C.), Duvernay (Alberta), and Eagle Ford and Permian (both in Texas). In addition to natural gas, these fields produce large amounts of oil and natural gas liquids such as propane and butane. In the quarter ended March 31, 2018, Encana produced 324,400 barrels a day (55% gas, 45% oil). That’s up 2.0%, from 317,900 barrels a year earlier. The company’s cash flow in the quarter jumped 41.4%, to $0.41 from $0.29, a year earlier (all amounts except share price in U.S. dollars). In addition to the higher production, Encana continues to benefit from higher oil prices. A plan to improve efficiency has also cut the company’s operating costs. Encana continues to expect an increase in its production to between 400,000 and 425,000 barrels a day for the fourth quarter. Encana is still a hold. hold…