Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ) vs Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM)

CNQ leads on 14 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Canadian Natural Resources Limited and Exxon Mobil 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).

Total return — CNQ vs XOM

growth of $100 · last 26y
CNQ +2533.7%XOM +267.5%CNQ compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020052010201520202025$2,634$368
CNQ XOM

CNQ vs XOM: by the numbers

  • XOM is the larger company ($609.33B vs $94.49B market cap).
  • CNQ trades at the lower earnings multiple (13.41 vs 24.79 P/E).
  • CNQ converts more revenue to profit (23.94% vs 7.76% net margin).
  • CNQ grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.46% vs 12.49% CAGR).
  • CNQ pays the higher dividend yield (2.89% vs 2.78%).

Which is better, CNQ or XOM?

Metric tally: CNQ 14 · XOM 3

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCNQ(lower P/E)
GrowthCNQ(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCNQ(higher dividend yield)
QualityCNQ(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCNQXOM
P/E ratio13.4124.79
Forward P/E9.1614.15
P/S ratio3.221.89
P/B ratio4.122.42
PEG ratio0.112.05
EV / EBITDA6.4610.82
FCF yield4.72%3.06%

Profitability

MetricCNQXOM
Gross margin30.69%25.49%
Operating margin26.74%9.01%
Net margin23.94%7.76%
ROE30.65%9.95%
ROIC7.95%6.34%

Dividends

MetricCNQXOM
Dividend yield2.89%2.78%
Payout ratio34.74%61.26%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCNQXOM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)14.46%12.49%
EPS CAGR (5Y)13.65%12.08%
FCF CAGR (5Y)13.93%36.20%
Total return CAGR (5Y)25.57%23.23%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CNQ or XOM?
It depends on your goal. value: CNQ (lower P/E); growth: CNQ (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CNQ (higher dividend yield); quality: CNQ (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CNQ leads 14 to 3.
Is CNQ or XOM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CNQ is cheaper: CNQ trades at a 13.41 P/E and XOM at 24.79.
Which has grown faster, CNQ or XOM?
Over the past five years, CNQ grew revenue faster — CNQ at a 14.46% CAGR versus XOM at 12.49%.
Does CNQ or XOM pay a bigger dividend?
CNQ yields 2.89% and XOM yields 2.78% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CNQ or XOM more profitable?
CNQ runs the higher net margin — CNQ at 23.94% versus XOM at 7.76%.
Which has been the better investment, CNQ or XOM?
Over the past 10-year, CNQ delivered the higher annualized total return — CNQ at 17.67% versus XOM at 9.69%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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.