One year after breakup, we still like both

Article Excerpt

It has been a year since the old EnCana split itself into two new companies: the new Encana focuses on unconventional natural gas, and Cenovus Energy specializes in oil-sands projects. Encana is down slightly since the breakup, due to low natural-gas prices. However, Cenovus has gained 20%. We continue to see both stocks as buys for long-term gains. ENCANA CORP. $28 (New York symbol ECA; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 736.3 million; Market cap: $20.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.1; Dividend yield: 2.9%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.encana.com) is a leading North American natural-gas producer. It focuses on unconventional reserves, such as shale-gas deposits. (Shale gas is natural gas that is trapped in rock formations.) In the three months ended September 30, 2010, Encana earned $98 million, or $0.13 a share. These figures exclude unusual items, such as a $331-million gain on hedging contracts the company uses to lock in selling prices for its gas, and a $140-million foreign-exchange gain. On that basis,…