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Imperial Oil (TSE:IMO)
TSX:IMO

Imperial Oil (IMO) AI Stock Analysis

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TSE:IMO

Imperial Oil

(TSX:IMO)

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Outperform 75 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:75Outperform
Price Target:
C$186.00
â–²(16.96% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/22/26
The score is driven primarily by strong financial resilience (low leverage and meaningful free cash flow) and bullish technical trend/momentum. Offsetting factors are a less attractive valuation (higher P/E and modest yield) and earnings-call risks from segment softness plus sizable restructuring/impairment charges despite solid operational performance and cost-reduction plans.
Positive Factors
Low leverage / strong balance sheet
Imperial's low debt-to-equity (~0.18) and sizable equity base (~C$22.3B of ~C$42.3B assets) provide durable financial flexibility. This balance-sheet strength supports capital allocation for maintenance, growth, and shareholder returns and helps absorb commodity-cycle shocks over months.
Robust cash generation and free cash flow
Sustained operating cash flow (~C$6.7B TTM) and meaningful free cash flow (~C$4.7B TTM) underpin the firm's ability to fund capex, dividends, and buybacks without immediate financing. Strong cash conversion enhances resilience and strategic optionality across a multi-month horizon.
Integrated operations with high utilization and record production
Record Kearl production (316k bpd) plus 98% refinery utilization demonstrate the benefit of integrated upstream-downstream operations. High throughput and steady volumes improve margin capture, reduce per-unit costs, and support reliable cash flow generation over the medium term.
Negative Factors
Commodity sensitivity and margin normalization
Imperial's earnings and cash flow remain exposed to oil/gas price swings and cyclicality. TTM margins and revenue have cooled from prior peaks, meaning profitability and free cash flow can materially fluctuate with commodity markets, raising medium-term earnings volatility risk.
Restructuring and impairment charges
Recent non-recurring charges (a $330M restructuring pre-tax and a $406M impairment pre-tax) reduced reported earnings and signal asset rationalization. Such charges can temporarily depress profitability and may indicate structural asset repricing or cost base adjustments affecting multi-month financial metrics.
Declining revenue and earnings trends; weak chemicals margins
Reported revenue and EPS growth show notable declines and the chemical segment has weaker margins and lower earnings. These trends point to structural pressures in select businesses that can restrain overall profitability and cash generation for several quarters absent recovery or strategic fixes.

Imperial Oil (IMO) vs. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC)

Imperial Oil Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionImperial Oil Limited engages in exploration, production, and sale of crude oil and natural gas in Canada. The company operates through three segments: Upstream, Downstream and Chemical segments. The Upstream segment explores for, and produces crude oil, natural gas, synthetic oil, and bitumen. As of December 31, 2021, this segment had 386 million oil-equivalent barrels of proved undeveloped reserves. The Downstream segment is involved in the transportation and refining of crude oil, blending of refined products and the distribution, and marketing of refined products. It also transports crude oil to refineries by contracted pipelines, common carrier pipelines, and rail; maintains a distribution system to move petroleum products to market by pipeline, tanker, rail, and road transport; and owns and operates fuel terminals, natural gas liquids, and products pipelines in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. In addition, this segment markets and supplies petroleum products to motoring public through approximately 2,400 Esso and Mobil-branded sites. Further, it sells petroleum products, including fuel, asphalt, and lubricants for industrial and transportation customers, independent marketers, and resellers, as well as other refiners serving the agriculture, residential heating, and commercial markets through branded fuel and lubricant resellers. The Chemical segment manufactures and markets various petrochemicals, benzene, aromatic and aliphatic solvents, plasticizer intermediates, and polyethylene resin. Imperial Oil Limited has a strategic agreement with E3 Metals Corp. to advance a lithium-extraction pilot in Alberta. The company was incorporated in 1880 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Imperial Oil Limited is a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation.
How the Company Makes MoneyImperial Oil generates revenue primarily through its integrated business model, which includes upstream exploration and production, downstream refining, and marketing operations. The company earns money through the sale of crude oil and natural gas produced from its oil sands and conventional production assets. In the downstream segment, Imperial refines crude oil into various petroleum products and sells them through its retail network and commercial channels. Key revenue streams include the sale of gasoline and diesel at its retail stations, as well as the production and sale of petrochemicals. Significant partnerships, such as joint ventures with other energy companies and collaborations related to technology and sustainability initiatives, also contribute to its earnings. Additionally, fluctuations in global oil prices and operational efficiencies play crucial roles in influencing the company's profitability.

Imperial Oil Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 31, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 01, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted strong operational and financial performance, including record production and cash flow, and strategic restructuring plans aimed at future growth. However, notable restructuring and impairment charges, along with a decline in some earnings segments, tempered the positive news.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record-Breaking Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns
Generated cash flow from operations of nearly $1.8 billion and returned over $1.8 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks.
Record Production at Kearl
Kearl delivered 316,000 barrels per day gross, the highest quarterly production in the asset's history.
Strong Downstream Utilization
Downstream utilization reached 98%, significantly higher quarter-over-quarter, even with planned turnaround activity.
Operational Efficiency Improvements
Unit cash costs at Kearl reduced to USD 15.13 per barrel, a decrease of nearly USD 4 per barrel compared to the second quarter.
Restructuring Plans for Future Growth
Announced restructuring plans to improve efficiency, with expected annual expense reductions of $150 million by 2028.
Negative Updates
Restructuring Charges
Recorded a restructuring charge of $330 million before tax, with an unfavorable earnings impact of $249 million after tax.
Impairment Charge for Calgary Campus
Signed an agreement to sell the Calgary campus, resulting in a noncash impairment charge of $406 million before tax.
Decline in Upstream Earnings
Net income from the quarter is $1.094 billion, down $143 million from the third quarter of 2024, driven by lower upstream realizations.
Chemical Business Earnings Decline
Chemical business earnings were $21 million, down $7 million compared to the third quarter of 2024, driven by weaker polyethylene margins.
Company Guidance
During Imperial Oil's third quarter 2025 earnings call, the company reported cash flow from operations of nearly $1.8 billion and ended the quarter with approximately $1.9 billion in cash on hand. The company delivered over $1.8 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks. Record crude production was achieved, with Kearl delivering 316,000 barrels per day gross, marking the highest quarterly production in the asset's history. Cold Lake's production averaged 150,000 barrels per day, while Syncrude production averaged 78,000 barrels per day. Refinery utilization was high at 98%, even with planned turnaround activity. The company also announced restructuring plans aimed at reducing annual expenses by $150 million by 2028. These actions are expected to enhance cash flow growth through increased production, reduced downtime, and lower operating costs, while leveraging technology and ExxonMobil's expertise. The company recorded a restructuring charge of $330 million before tax, impacting earnings by $249 million after tax, and a noncash impairment charge of $406 million before tax from the sale of its Calgary campus. Net income for the quarter was $539 million, excluding identified items, resulting in $1.094 billion, down $143 million from the third quarter of 2024.

Imperial Oil Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Financials are solid overall, led by a strong balance sheet (low leverage with ~0.18 debt-to-equity and sizable equity base) and robust cash generation (TTM operating cash flow ~C$6.7B; free cash flow ~C$4.7B). The main offset is cyclical normalization: TTM revenue and margins have cooled versus 2022–2024 peak levels, and results remain commodity-sensitive.
Income Statement
72
Positive
Imperial Oil shows solid profitability in the current cycle, with TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) revenue of ~C$46.6B and positive margins (gross ~16.3%, operating ~9.0%, net ~7.0%). However, earnings power has clearly cooled versus 2022–2024: TTM revenue is down (~-3.0% growth rate provided) and margins/profits have compressed from 2022 peak levels (2022 net margin ~12.3% vs. TTM ~7.0%). The 2020 loss highlights commodity sensitivity, though results have remained profitable since.
Balance Sheet
83
Very Positive
The balance sheet is a clear strength: leverage is low with debt-to-equity around ~0.18 in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) and consistently below ~0.25 across the period. Equity is sizable (~C$22.3B TTM) against ~C$42.3B assets, supporting resilience through downturns. Returns on equity remain healthy (TTM ~14.5%), though down from very strong 2022–2024 levels, indicating normalization in profitability rather than balance-sheet stress.
Cash Flow
74
Positive
Cash generation remains strong in absolute dollars with TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) operating cash flow of ~C$6.7B and free cash flow of ~C$4.7B. Free cash flow still covers a meaningful portion of profits (TTM free cash flow is ~70% of net income), but the trajectory has softened (TTM free cash flow growth provided at ~-1.7%) versus the exceptionally strong 2022 cash year. Cash flow quality looks improved versus 2023–2024 based on the provided coverage metric (TTM ~1.38 vs. 2024 ~0.85 and 2023 ~0.57), but overall results remain tied to the commodity cycle.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue47.08B51.51B50.90B59.51B37.51B
Gross Profit9.99B9.20B9.22B12.19B6.09B
EBITDA6.83B8.24B8.27B11.28B5.23B
Net Income3.27B4.79B4.89B7.34B2.48B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets42.31B42.94B41.20B43.52B40.78B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.14B979.00M864.00M3.75B2.15B
Total Debt4.38B4.16B4.33B4.43B5.42B
Total Liabilities20.05B19.46B18.98B21.11B19.05B
Stockholders Equity22.25B23.47B22.22B22.41B21.73B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow4.70B4.11B1.95B8.96B4.37B
Operating Cash Flow6.71B5.98B3.73B10.48B5.48B
Investing Cash Flow-1.89B-1.82B-1.69B-618.00M-1.01B
Financing Cash Flow-4.65B-4.04B-4.92B-8.27B-3.08B

Imperial Oil Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price159.03
Price Trends
50DMA
136.97
Positive
100DMA
132.96
Positive
200DMA
122.53
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
7.56
Positive
RSI
58.79
Neutral
STOCH
49.68
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:IMO, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 159.03 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 153.57, above the 50-day MA of 136.97, and above the 200-day MA of 122.53, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 7.56 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 58.79 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 49.68 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSE:IMO.

Imperial Oil Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
81
Outperform
C$121.55B18.3916.17%5.23%8.06%-10.64%
77
Outperform
C$91.27B15.8013.25%3.91%-3.08%-31.48%
75
Outperform
$76.52B24.4014.30%2.45%-6.18%-14.06%
70
Outperform
$72.24B122.528.94%0.19%23.88%350.69%
70
Outperform
C$57.67B14.1512.88%3.40%-9.17%-12.97%
65
Neutral
$15.17B7.614.09%5.20%3.87%-62.32%
65
Neutral
$90.46B26.5813.64%4.41%-3.98%-33.45%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:IMO
Imperial Oil
159.03
63.82
67.04%
TSE:CCO
Cameco
163.77
101.09
161.29%
TSE:CNQ
Canadian Natural
58.23
19.52
50.44%
TSE:CVE
Cenovus Energy
30.01
10.89
56.97%
TSE:SU
Suncor Energy
76.21
23.28
44.00%
TSE:TRP
TC Energy
86.51
24.79
40.16%
Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 22, 2026