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Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ)
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Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ) FCF Payout Ratio: 81.19%

Is Canadian Natural Resources Limited’s FCF payout ratio high or low?

Canadian Natural Resources Limited's FCF payout ratio of 81.19% is 56% above its 5-year average of 51.92%, near the high end of its 5-year range (21.73%–90.53%).

44.34% above its 12-month average of 56.25%.

CNQ FCF Payout Ratio Chart

CNQ FCF Payout Ratio
57.78%+5.61% 1Y
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CNQ Average FCF Payout Ratio Chart

CNQ Current vs Average FCF Payout Ratio Chart

CNQ FCF Payout Ratio Metrics

FCF PAYOUT RATIO

81.19%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG TTM

56.25%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 3Y

49.81%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 5Y

51.92%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 10Y

55.60%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 15Y

146.98%

FCF PAYOUT RATIO AVG 20Y

137.05%

CURRENT VS TTM AVG

+44.34%

CURRENT VS 3Y AVG

+63.00%

CURRENT VS 5Y AVG

+56.38%

CURRENT VS 10Y AVG

+46.02%

CURRENT VS 15Y AVG

-44.76%

CURRENT VS 20Y AVG

-40.76%

Payout Ratio Comparison

FCF Payout Ratio

81.2%

Earnings Payout Ratio

46.2%

Dividend Yield

3.83%

FCF Yield

4.71%

Annual FCF Payout Ratio History

YearFree Cash FlowDividends PaidFCF Payout Ratio
2025$6.13B$3.54B57.8%
2024$5.63B$3.08B54.7%
2023$5.62B$2.94B52.3%
2022$10.54B$3.63B34.5%
2021$6.24B$1.36B21.7%
2020$1.69B$1.53B90.5%
2019$4.02B$1.34B33.4%
2018$4.16B$1.14B27.5%
2017$2.04B$994.71M48.8%
2016($260.86M)$563.35MN/A (Loss)
2015$670.20M$903.47M134.8%
2014($2.53B)$821.20MN/A (Loss)
2013$6.58M$491.93Mn/m
2012$105.78M$447.29M422.9%
2011$41.12M$370.06M900.0%
2010$950.33M$302.42M31.8%
2009$2.68B$213.48M8.0%
2008($544.93M)$170.04MN/A (Loss)
2007($646.06M)$177.92MN/A (Loss)
2006($2.65B)$130.85MN/A (Loss)
2005($467.05M)$104.01MN/A (Loss)
2004($742.57M)$83.84MN/A (Loss)
2003$466.72M$59.58M12.8%
2002($370.29M)$38.03MN/A (Loss)
2001($38.01M)$29.01MN/A (Loss)
2000$358.21M$3.00M0.8%
1999($862.38M)$0N/A (Loss)
1998($243.72M)$0N/A (Loss)
1997($442.94M)$0N/A (Loss)
1996($615.78M)$0N/A (Loss)

Formula: FCF Payout Ratio = Dividends Paid / Free Cash Flow × 100

FCF payout and earnings payout:

  • FCF represents operating cash flow after capital expenditures
  • FCF payout compares dividends paid with free cash flow
  • FCF payout above 100% means dividends paid exceeded free cash flow for the period
  • Earnings payout compares dividends paid with net income

Reading the series: Use the chart and table to compare dividend payments with cash generation over time.

Canadian Natural Resources Limited FCF Payout Ratio Formula & Definition

FCF Payout Ratio measures what percentage of free cash flow is paid out as dividends. Unlike earnings-based payout, it compares dividends with cash generated after capital expenditures.

Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute

Canadian Natural Resources Limited FCF Payout Ratio FAQ

What is the FCF payout ratio for Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ)?
The FCF payout ratio for CNQ stock is 81.19%.
Is Canadian Natural Resources Limited's FCF payout ratio high or low?
Canadian Natural Resources Limited's FCF payout ratio of 81.19% is 56% above its 5-year average of 51.92%, near the high end of its 5-year range (21.73%–90.53%).
What is the TTM average FCF payout ratio for Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ)?
The TTM average FCF payout ratio for CNQ stock is 56.25%.
What is the 3Y average FCF payout ratio for Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ)?
The 3Y average FCF payout ratio for CNQ stock is 49.81%.
What is the 5Y average FCF payout ratio for Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ)?
The 5Y average FCF payout ratio for CNQ stock is 51.92%.
What is the 10Y average FCF payout ratio for Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ)?
The 10Y average FCF payout ratio for CNQ stock is 55.60%.
What is the 15Y average FCF payout ratio for Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ)?
The 15Y average FCF payout ratio for CNQ stock is 146.98%.
What is the 20Y average FCF payout ratio for Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ)?
The 20Y average FCF payout ratio for CNQ stock is 137.05%.

Canadian Natural Resources Limited FCF Payout Ratio History

DATEFCF PAYOUT RATIO
2025-12-3157.78%
2024-12-3154.71%
2023-12-3152.27%
2022-12-3134.48%
2021-12-3121.73%
2020-12-3190.53%
2019-12-3133.38%
2018-12-3127.50%
2017-12-3148.83%
2015-12-31134.81%
2012-12-31422.86%
2011-12-31900.00%
2010-12-3131.82%
2009-12-317.96%
2003-12-3112.77%
2000-12-310.84%

About Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ) is an integrated energy enterprise engaged across the full spectrum of upstream and downstream activities related to crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs), encompassing acquisition, exploration, development, production, marketing, and sales. Its diverse portfolio of hydrocarbon products encompasses synthetic crude oil (SCO), light and medium crude, bitumen (also known as thermal oil), along with both primary heavy crude oil and specialized Pelican Lake heavy crude. Beyond exploration and production, the company holds midstream and refining assets, notably comprising two crude oil pipeline networks and a half-interest (50% working interest) in an 84-megawatt cogeneration facility situated at Primrose. As of December 31, 2020, CNQ reported substantial reserves. Its proved crude oil, bitumen, and NGLs reserves amounted to 10,528 million barrels (MMbbl), escalating to 13,271 MMbbl when probable reserves are included. Proved synthetic crude oil (SCO) reserves stood at 6,998 MMbbl, with total proved plus probable SCO reserves reaching 7,535 MMbbl. Furthermore, the company's proved natural gas reserves were recorded at 12,168 billion cubic feet (Bcf), expanding to 20,249 Bcf on a proved plus probable basis. Geographically, its operations are concentrated in key regions, including Western Canada, the United Kingdom's North Sea sector, and offshore West Africa. The entity, incorporated in 1973, was originally known as AEX Minerals Corporation before adopting the name Canadian Natural Resources Limited in December 1975. Its corporate headquarters are located in Calgary, Canada.

Calgary, AB
10,640 employees
Energy / Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
Sector
Energy
Industry
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
CEO
Norman Murray Edwards