TSE:OVV) share price climb by 15%. But only the myopic could ignore the astounding decline over three years. To wit, the share price sky-dived 81% in that time. So we’re relieved for long term holders to see a bit of uplift. Of course the real question is whether the business can sustain a turnaround.” data-reactid=”28″>This week we saw the Ovintiv Inc. (TSE:OVV) share price climb by 15%. But only the myopic could ignore the astounding decline over three years. To wit, the share price sky-dived 81% in that time. So we’re relieved for long term holders to see a bit of uplift. Of course the real question is whether the business can sustain a turnaround.
We really feel for shareholders in this scenario. It’s a good reminder of the importance of diversification, and it’s worth keeping in mind there’s more to life than money, anyway.
View our latest analysis for Ovintiv ” data-reactid=”30″> View our latest analysis for Ovintiv
To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it’s a weighing machine. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.
Ovintiv saw its share price decline over the three years in which its EPS also dropped, falling to a loss. This was, in part, due to extraordinary items impacting earnings. Since the company has fallen to a loss making position, it’s hard to compare the change in EPS with the share price change. But it’s safe to say we’d generally expect the share price to be lower as a result!
You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).
earnings, revenue and cash flow.” data-reactid=”50″>We consider it positive that insiders have made significant purchases in the last year. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. Dive deeper into the earnings by checking this interactive graph of Ovintiv’s earnings, revenue and cash flow.
What about the Total Shareholder Return (TSR)?
Investors should note that there’s a difference between Ovintiv’s total shareholder return (TSR) and its share price change, which we’ve covered above. Arguably the TSR is a more complete return calculation because it accounts for the value of dividends (as if they were reinvested), along with the hypothetical value of any discounted capital that have been offered to shareholders. Ovintiv’s TSR of was a loss of 80% for the 3 years. That wasn’t as bad as its share price return, because it has paid dividends.
A Different Perspective
1 warning sign we’ve spotted with Ovintiv .” data-reactid=”54″>While the broader market lost about 3.7% in the twelve months, Ovintiv shareholders did even worse, losing 58% (even including dividends). However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there’s a good opportunity. Regrettably, last year’s performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 11% per year over five years. Generally speaking long term share price weakness can be a bad sign, though contrarian investors might want to research the stock in hope of a turnaround. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we’ve spotted with Ovintiv .
list of growing companies with insider buying.” data-reactid=”55″>Ovintiv is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.
Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected].” data-reactid=”61″>This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected].
