CNQ vs. FANG: Canadian Natural Resources vs. Diamondback Energy Stock Comparison
How do Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) and Diamondback Energy (FANG) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) and Diamondback Energy (FANG) are both classified in the Oil & Gas Exploration & Production sub-industry within the broader Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
| Profile Item | CNQ | FANG |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. | Diamondback Energy Inc. |
| Country/Region | Canada | United States |
| GICS Sector | Energy | Energy |
| GICS Industry Group | Energy | Energy |
| GICS Industry | Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | Oil & Gas Exploration & Production |
| Market Capitalization | 98.81 billion USD | 49.96 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | July 31, 2000 | October 12, 2012 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | FANG |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 56.47% | 26.99% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 19.27% | 8.52% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 23.01% | 14.17% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | FANG |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 32.07% | 33.77% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.48 | 0.53 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -35.85% | -42.10% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 6.32M | 2.38M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | FANG |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.63 | 0.67 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 2.31 | 0.97 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 32.39% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Diamondback Energy (FANG) at 4.86% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for CNQ.
CNQ
Energy industry group
32.39%
- Max
- 53.85%
- CNQ
- 32.39%
- Q3
- 24.79%
- Median
- 12.85%
- Q1
- 2.03%
- Min
- -29.09%
FANG
Energy industry group
4.86%
- Max
- 53.85%
- Q3
- 24.79%
- Median
- 12.85%
- FANG
- 4.86%
- Q1
- 2.03%
- Min
- -29.09%
Net Margin (TTM)
Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 29.51% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of Diamondback Energy (FANG) at 11.62%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.
CNQ
Energy industry group
29.51%
- Max
- 56.92%
- CNQ
- 29.51%
- Q3
- 22.92%
- Median
- 10.10%
- Q1
- 0.07%
- Min
- -27.38%
FANG
Energy industry group
11.62%
- Max
- 56.92%
- Q3
- 22.92%
- FANG
- 11.62%
- Median
- 10.10%
- Q1
- 0.07%
- Min
- -27.38%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Diamondback Energy (FANG) at 44.95% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 32.24%, which runs around its industry’s norm.
CNQ
Energy industry group
32.24%
- Max
- 71.31%
- Q3
- 33.75%
- CNQ
- 32.24%
- Median
- 18.73%
- Q1
- 6.94%
- Min
- -24.52%
FANG
Energy industry group
44.95%
- Max
- 71.31%
- FANG
- 44.95%
- Q3
- 33.75%
- Median
- 18.73%
- Q1
- 6.94%
- Min
- -24.52%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | FANG |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 32.39% | 4.86% |
| ROA (TTM) | 9.97% | 2.07% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 29.51% | 11.62% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 32.24% | 44.95% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 52.92% | 73.62% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Diamondback Energy (FANG) at 35.44% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 6.40% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for FANG.
EPS Growth
Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 81.05% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Diamondback Energy (FANG) at -63.10% is in the bottom quartile, showing a clear gap in earnings momentum.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | FANG |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 6.40% | 35.44% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | -3.75% | 15.99% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 81.05% | -63.10% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 2.73% | -38.48% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 0.99 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Diamondback Energy (FANG) at 0.55 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for FANG.
CNQ
Energy industry group
0.99
- Max
- 3.64
- Q3
- 2.21
- Median
- 1.41
- CNQ
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.24
FANG
Energy industry group
0.55
- Max
- 3.64
- Q3
- 2.21
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.88
- FANG
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.24
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Diamondback Energy (FANG) at 0.29 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 0.42 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.
CNQ
Energy industry group
0.42
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.54
- CNQ
- 0.42
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
FANG
Energy industry group
0.29
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.54
- Q1
- 0.30
- FANG
- 0.29
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | FANG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.99 | 0.55 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.42 | 0.29 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.67 | 0.99 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 5.03% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Diamondback Energy (FANG) at 2.47% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, CNQ the richer one.
CNQ
Energy industry group
5.03%
- Max
- 8.57%
- CNQ
- 5.03%
- Q3
- 3.58%
- Median
- 1.71%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
FANG
Energy industry group
2.47%
- Max
- 8.57%
- Q3
- 3.58%
- FANG
- 2.47%
- Median
- 1.71%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 36.37% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while Diamondback Energy (FANG) at 57.20% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.
CNQ
Energy industry group
36.37%
- Max
- 133.24%
- Q3
- 53.31%
- CNQ
- 36.37%
- Median
- 25.24%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
FANG
Energy industry group
57.20%
- Max
- 133.24%
- FANG
- 57.20%
- Q3
- 53.31%
- Median
- 25.24%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | FANG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 5.03% | 2.47% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 36.37% | 57.20% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 9.95 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Diamondback Energy (FANG) at 24.09 sits in the richer quartile — FANG needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
CNQ
Energy industry group
9.95
- Max
- 39.54
- Q3
- 21.72
- Median
- 12.19
- CNQ
- 9.95
- Q1
- 7.71
- Min
- 2.99
FANG
Energy industry group
24.09
- Max
- 39.54
- FANG
- 24.09
- Q3
- 21.72
- Median
- 12.19
- Q1
- 7.71
- Min
- 2.99
P/S Ratio (TTM)
On P/S ratio, both Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 2.06 and Diamondback Energy (FANG) at 2.83 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
CNQ
Energy industry group
2.06
- Max
- 5.40
- Q3
- 2.85
- CNQ
- 2.06
- Median
- 1.69
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.00
FANG
Energy industry group
2.83
- Max
- 5.40
- Q3
- 2.85
- FANG
- 2.83
- Median
- 1.69
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.00
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Diamondback Energy (FANG) at 1.28 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) at 2.97 carries an above-peer premium to book — CNQ is pricier on assets.
CNQ
Energy industry group
2.97
- Max
- 4.21
- CNQ
- 2.97
- Q3
- 2.38
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.01
FANG
Energy industry group
1.28
- Max
- 4.21
- Q3
- 2.38
- Median
- 1.51
- FANG
- 1.28
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.01
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | CNQ | FANG |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 9.95 | 24.09 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 2.06 | 2.83 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 2.97 | 1.28 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 12.33% | 12.09% |