Is CNQ or VLO cheaper?

On trailing earnings, CNQ is cheaper: CNQ trades at a 13.41 P/E and VLO at 18.79.

Which has grown faster, CNQ or VLO?

Over the past five years, VLO grew revenue faster — CNQ at a 14.46% CAGR versus VLO at 14.68%.

Does CNQ or VLO pay a bigger dividend?

CNQ yields 2.89% and VLO yields 1.80% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is CNQ or VLO more profitable?

CNQ runs the higher net margin — CNQ at 23.94% versus VLO at 3.33%.

Which has been the better investment, CNQ or VLO?

Over the past 10-year, VLO delivered the higher annualized total return — CNQ at 17.67% versus VLO at 21.79%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ) vs Valero Energy Corporation (VLO)

CNQ leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Canadian Natural Resources Limited and Valero Energy Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

CNQ

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

$94.49B

$45.30Energy

VLO

Valero Energy Corporation

$76.81B

$258.67Energy

Total return — CNQ vs VLO

growth of $100 · last 26y

CNQ +2533.7%VLO +4269.4%VLO compounded faster

CNQ VLO

CNQ vs VLO: by the numbers

•CNQ is the larger company ($94.49B vs $76.81B market cap).
•CNQ trades at the lower earnings multiple (13.41 vs 18.79 P/E).
•CNQ converts more revenue to profit (23.94% vs 3.33% net margin).
•VLO grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.68% vs 14.46% CAGR).
•CNQ pays the higher dividend yield (2.89% vs 1.80%).

Which is better, CNQ or VLO?

Metric tally: CNQ 11 · VLO 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCNQ(lower P/E)

IncomeCNQ(higher dividend yield)

QualityCNQ(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	CNQ	VLO
P/E ratio	13.41●	18.79
Forward P/E	9.16●	12.45
P/S ratio	3.22	0.61●
P/B ratio	4.12	3.23●
PEG ratio	0.11●	4.28
EV / EBITDA	6.46●	9.10
FCF yield	4.72%	7.69%●

Profitability

Metric	CNQ	VLO
Gross margin	30.69%●	7.24%
Operating margin	26.74%●	4.61%
Net margin	23.94%●	3.33%
ROE	30.65%●	17.62%
ROIC	7.95%●	7.12%

Dividends

Metric	CNQ	VLO
Dividend yield	2.89%●	1.80%
Payout ratio	34.74%	61.56%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	CNQ	VLO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	14.46%	14.68%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	13.65%●	4.39%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	13.93%	67.44%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)	25.57%	30.36%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, CNQ or VLO?: It depends on your goal. value: CNQ (lower P/E); income: CNQ (higher dividend yield); quality: CNQ (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CNQ leads 11 to 5.
Is CNQ or VLO cheaper?: On trailing earnings, CNQ is cheaper: CNQ trades at a 13.41 P/E and VLO at 18.79.
Which has grown faster, CNQ or VLO?: Over the past five years, VLO grew revenue faster — CNQ at a 14.46% CAGR versus VLO at 14.68%.
Does CNQ or VLO pay a bigger dividend?: CNQ yields 2.89% and VLO yields 1.80% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CNQ or VLO more profitable?: CNQ runs the higher net margin — CNQ at 23.94% versus VLO at 3.33%.
Which has been the better investment, CNQ or VLO?: Over the past 10-year, VLO delivered the higher annualized total return — CNQ at 17.67% versus VLO at 21.79%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full CNQ analysis Full VLO analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Canadian Natural Resources P/E ratio Valero Energy P/E ratio Canadian Natural Resources dividend yield Valero Energy dividend yield Canadian Natural Resources ROE Valero Energy ROE Canadian Natural Resources operating margin Valero Energy operating margin Canadian Natural Resources revenue growth Valero Energy revenue growth Canadian Natural Resources free cash flow Valero Energy free cash flow

Canadian Natural Resources & Valero Energy appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Highest ROE Stocks Highest FCF Yield Stocks Best 10-Year Total Return Stocks

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.