Three more ways to profit from rising oil

Article Excerpt

In addition to Cenovus (see page 21), we also like the outlook for these three leading oil producers. All of them are using their improving cash flows to pay down debt, which helps protect them if crude prices weaken. As well, each is raising its dividend and buying back shares. SUNCOR ENERGY INC. $37 is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol SU; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 1.44 billion; Market cap: $53.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.4; Dividend yield: 4.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.suncor.com) is Canada’s largest integrated oil firm, with major projects in the Alberta oil sands. Those properties should last 29 years. It also operates four refineries (three in Canada and one in Colorado), along with 1,875 Petro-Canada gas stations. Suncor now aims to sell its various operations in the North Sea. As part of that plan, the company recently sold its 26.69% stake in the Golden Eagle offshore field for a $227 million after-tax gain. That sale is largely why the company…