Cenovus Energy (CVE) vs Shell (SHEL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Cenovus Energy (CVE) has outperformed Shell (SHEL) over the past year, gaining 75.9% versus a gain of 29.3%. Over five years, CVE leads with a +162.7% price change compared with +98.8% for SHEL. Shell is the larger company by market cap ($285.26 billion vs $58.08 billion), about 4.9 times the size.
On valuation, Shell trades at a lower forward P/E (9.6x vs 11.7x for Cenovus Energy). Cenovus Energy offers the higher dividend yield (2.60% vs 1.51%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CVE | SHEL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $31.49 | $100.20 |
| Market cap | $58.08B | $285.26B |
| 1-day change | +2.81% | +3.46% |
| YTD return | +81.03% | +31.80% |
| 1-year return | +75.93% | +29.29% |
| 5-year return | +162.69% | +98.83% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.11 | 11.06 |
| Forward P/E | 11.74 | 9.56 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.60 | $9.06 |
| Dividend yield | 2.60% | 1.51% |
| Annual dividend | $0.82 | $1.51 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $266.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | -6.13% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $17.84B |
| Net margin | — | 6.68% |
| 52-week high | $34.16 | $100.60 |
| 52-week low | $15.63 | $68.63 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.82% | -0.40% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.53% | +3.87% |
| Average volume | 7.07M | 6.37M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.84B | 2.85B |
| Employees | 7,211 | 84,000 |
| Sector | Energy | Energy |
| Industry | Oil & Gas Production | Oil & Gas Production |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Shell is about 4.9 times larger than Cenovus Energy by market value ($285.26B vs $58.08B).
- CVE has outperformed SHEL by 46.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Cenovus Energy offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.60% vs 1.51%).
About Cenovus Energy
CVE stock →Cenovus Energy Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, produces, refines, transports, and markets crude oil, natural gas, and refined petroleum products in Canada, the United States, and China. It operates through Upstream and Downstream segments.
Energy · Oil & Gas Production · 7,211 employees
About Shell
SHEL stock →Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company in Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, the United States, and other parts of the Americas. It operates through the following segments: Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals and Products, and Renewables and Energy Solutions.
Energy · Oil & Gas Production · 84,000 employees
CVE vs SHEL FAQ
Which is bigger, Cenovus Energy or Shell?
Shell (SHEL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $285.26B compared with $58.08B for Cenovus Energy (CVE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CVE or SHEL?
CVE returned +75.93% over the past 12 months, compared with +29.29% for SHEL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CVE or SHEL?
SHEL has the lower trailing P/E at 11.1, versus 12.1 for CVE. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Cenovus Energy or Shell?
Cenovus Energy has the higher yield at 2.60%, compared with 1.51% for Shell.
Are Cenovus Energy and Shell in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Oil & Gas Production industry within the Energy sector.