Ovintiv's Acquisition of NuVista Approved by Canadian Government
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 28 2026
0mins
Should l Buy OVV?
Ovintiv Inc. shares rose 3.86% as the stock reached a 20-day high amid positive developments regarding its acquisition of NuVista Energy.
The Canadian government has approved Ovintiv's acquisition of NuVista through its wholly-owned subsidiary Ovintiv Canada ULC, marking a significant milestone in the acquisition process under the Investment Canada Act. NuVista shareholders voted in favor of the transaction on January 23, 2026, reflecting investor confidence in the acquisition, which is expected to enhance Ovintiv's competitive position in the Canadian market. The Court of King's Bench of Alberta has granted the Final Order for the transaction, ensuring legal compliance and reducing potential legal hurdles, thereby accelerating the completion of the deal.
This approval is anticipated to close around February 3, 2026, providing Ovintiv with greater market share and resource integration opportunities, which could positively impact its future growth and operational efficiency.
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Analyst Views on OVV
Wall Street analysts forecast OVV stock price to rise
17 Analyst Rating
13 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 49.080
Low
42.00
Averages
51.00
High
56.00
Current: 49.080
Low
42.00
Averages
51.00
High
56.00
About OVV
Ovintiv Inc. is an oil and natural gas exploration and production company that is focused on developing its multi-basin portfolio of assets located in the United States and Canada. Its operations include the marketing of oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas. Its segments include USA operations and Canadian Operations. USA Operations include the exploration for, development of, and production and marketing of oil, NGLs, natural gas and other related activities within the United States. Canadian Operations include the exploration for, development of, and production and marketing of oil, NGLs, natural gas and other related activities within Canada. Its assets include Anadarko Basin, Montney, and Permian Basin. Anadarko is a liquids-rich play located in west-central Oklahoma in Blaine, Canadian, Custer, Dewey, Garvin, Grady, Kingfisher, McClain and Stephens counties. Montney is a condensate and natural gas play located in northwest Alberta and northeast British Columbia.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Ovintiv Sells Anadarko Assets for $3 Billion
- Asset Sale Agreement: Ovintiv has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Anadarko assets in Oklahoma for $3 billion in cash, covering approximately 360,000 net acres, which constitutes nearly all of the company's holdings in the area, with the transaction expected to close in early Q2 2026, marking a significant milestone in the company's strategic focus.
- Production Overview: As of February, Ovintiv's production is approximately 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, including about 27,000 barrels of oil and condensate, approximately 240 million cubic feet of natural gas, and around 23,000 barrels of natural gas liquids daily, reflecting the company's robust performance in oil and gas production.
- Enhanced Shareholder Returns: CEO Brendan McCracken stated that this transaction will help achieve the company's debt targets and enhance shareholder returns, further solidifying its deep inventory positions in North America's most valuable plays, the Permian and Montney, which are expected to deliver superior returns for shareholders over the long term.
- Future Guidance: Ovintiv plans to issue its full-year and Q1 2026 guidance along with its Q4 and full-year 2025 results on February 23, 2026, indicating the company's proactive approach towards future growth and shareholder engagement.
See More
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- Production Capacity Overview: The Anadarko assets currently produce about 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, including 27,000 barrels of oil and condensate, 240 million cubic feet of natural gas, and 23,000 barrels of natural gas liquids, highlighting the high production capacity and market value of the assets.
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- Treasury Yield Dynamics: The 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.07%, while the two-year bond stood at 3.45%, indicating market expectations for unchanged interest rates, with CME Group's FedWatch tool projecting a 92.1% likelihood of no rate hikes in March.
- Stock Highlights: Ovintiv's stock rose 4.17% following its announcement of a $3 billion cash sale of its Anadarko assets in Oklahoma, showcasing the company's proactive asset management strategy that enhances financial flexibility.
- Analyst Insights: Adam Turnquist, Chief Technical Strategist at LPL Financial, noted that despite rising concerns over an AI bubble, the overall economy shows cyclical strength, with expectations of no recession by 2026, reflecting market confidence in future growth.
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- Transaction Scale and Impact: The deal encompasses 360,000 net acres, representing nearly all of the company's acreage in the play, with month-to-date production of approximately 90,000 boe/day, including 27,000 bbl/day of oil and condensate, 240 million cf/day of natural gas, and 23,000 bbl/day of natural gas liquids, indicating a significant resource reallocation.
- Financial Target Achievement: Ovintiv's President and CEO Brendan McCracken stated that this transaction marks a significant milestone in focusing the portfolio, achieving debt targets, and unlocking increased returns for shareholders, highlighting the company's emphasis on financial health.
- M&A Activity Context: This deal comes just two weeks after the company completed a $2.6 billion acquisition of NuVista Energy, showcasing Ovintiv's proactive strategy in mergers and acquisitions to strengthen its market position in the Permian basin.
See More
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- Asset Sale Agreement: Ovintiv has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Anadarko assets in Oklahoma for $3 billion, covering approximately 360,000 acres, which represents nearly all of the company's holdings in the area, expected to significantly enhance the company's financial position.
- Production Overview: As of February, Ovintiv's production is approximately 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, including 27,000 barrels of oil and condensate, 240 million cubic feet of natural gas, and 23,000 barrels of natural gas liquids daily, showcasing the company's robust performance in the energy market.
- Strategic Focus: CEO Brendan McCracken stated that this transaction will allow the company to concentrate on its deep premium inventory in North America's two most valuable plays, the Permian and Montney, thereby delivering superior returns to shareholders.
- Future Guidance: Ovintiv plans to issue its first-quarter 2026 guidance and updated shareholder return framework on February 23, 2026, during the release of its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, further bolstering market confidence in its growth prospects.
See More
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- Asset Sale Plans: The upcoming sale of Ovintiv's Anadarko Basin assets is expected to fetch approximately $3.5 billion, allowing for a reduction of net debt by over 65% this year, thereby laying the groundwork for future shareholder returns.
- Leading Drilling Efficiency: Ovintiv ranked first or second in drilling and completion efficiencies among the most active operators in the Midland and Anadarko basins over the past two years, with average well costs for 2024-25 being among the lowest in each basin, showcasing its competitive edge in cost management.
- Acquisition Expansion: The recent free cash flow accretive acquisition of NuVista Energy, expected to close in Q1, will increase Ovintiv's Montney drilling inventory by approximately 70% at a cost of around $1.3 million per location, further strengthening its market position.
See More
Ovintiv Sells Anadarko Assets for $3 Billion
- Asset Sale Agreement: Ovintiv has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Anadarko assets in Oklahoma for $3 billion in cash, covering approximately 360,000 net acres, which constitutes nearly all of the company's holdings in the area, with the transaction expected to close in early Q2 2026, marking a significant milestone in the company's strategic focus.
- Production Overview: As of February, Ovintiv's production is approximately 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, including about 27,000 barrels of oil and condensate, approximately 240 million cubic feet of natural gas, and around 23,000 barrels of natural gas liquids daily, reflecting the company's robust performance in oil and gas production.
- Enhanced Shareholder Returns: CEO Brendan McCracken stated that this transaction will help achieve the company's debt targets and enhance shareholder returns, further solidifying its deep inventory positions in North America's most valuable plays, the Permian and Montney, which are expected to deliver superior returns for shareholders over the long term.
- Future Guidance: Ovintiv plans to issue its full-year and Q1 2026 guidance along with its Q4 and full-year 2025 results on February 23, 2026, indicating the company's proactive approach towards future growth and shareholder engagement.
See More
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- Strategic Asset Sale: Ovintiv has announced a definitive agreement to sell its Anadarko assets for $3 billion, aiming to streamline operations and enhance shareholder returns, with the transaction expected to close in early Q2 2026, reducing its holdings to approximately 360,000 net acres.
- Production Capacity Overview: The Anadarko assets currently produce about 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, including 27,000 barrels of oil and condensate, 240 million cubic feet of natural gas, and 23,000 barrels of natural gas liquids, highlighting the high production capacity and market value of the assets.
- Market Performance Leadership: Ovintiv is outperforming the energy sector, which has gained 12.92% over the past 30 days, while its stock rose 4.17% in premarket trading on Wednesday, nearing its 52-week high, indicating the positive impact of strategic decisions on stock performance.
- Analyst Outlook: Ovintiv is set to report earnings on February 23, 2026, with an EPS estimate of 99 cents and revenue estimate of $1.93 billion, despite year-over-year declines, maintaining a Buy rating with a target price raised to $55, reflecting market confidence in its future.
See More
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Investors Await Economic Data
- Market Recovery: U.S. stock futures rose on Wednesday, with all major benchmark indices showing positive trends, reflecting investor optimism ahead of key economic data releases, particularly the Personal Consumption Expenditures index scheduled for Friday.
- Treasury Yield Dynamics: The 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.07%, while the two-year bond stood at 3.45%, indicating market expectations for unchanged interest rates, with CME Group's FedWatch tool projecting a 92.1% likelihood of no rate hikes in March.
- Stock Highlights: Ovintiv's stock rose 4.17% following its announcement of a $3 billion cash sale of its Anadarko assets in Oklahoma, showcasing the company's proactive asset management strategy that enhances financial flexibility.
- Analyst Insights: Adam Turnquist, Chief Technical Strategist at LPL Financial, noted that despite rising concerns over an AI bubble, the overall economy shows cyclical strength, with expectations of no recession by 2026, reflecting market confidence in future growth.
See More
Ovintiv Sells Anadarko Assets for $3B to Focus on Permian and Montney
- Strategic Asset Sale: Ovintiv has agreed to sell its Anadarko assets in Oklahoma for $3 billion in cash, aiming to concentrate on its holdings in the Permian and Montney basins, reflecting the company's commitment to its core operations.
- Transaction Scale and Impact: The deal encompasses 360,000 net acres, representing nearly all of the company's acreage in the play, with month-to-date production of approximately 90,000 boe/day, including 27,000 bbl/day of oil and condensate, 240 million cf/day of natural gas, and 23,000 bbl/day of natural gas liquids, indicating a significant resource reallocation.
- Financial Target Achievement: Ovintiv's President and CEO Brendan McCracken stated that this transaction marks a significant milestone in focusing the portfolio, achieving debt targets, and unlocking increased returns for shareholders, highlighting the company's emphasis on financial health.
- M&A Activity Context: This deal comes just two weeks after the company completed a $2.6 billion acquisition of NuVista Energy, showcasing Ovintiv's proactive strategy in mergers and acquisitions to strengthen its market position in the Permian basin.
See More
Ovintiv Sells Anadarko Assets for $3 Billion
- Asset Sale Agreement: Ovintiv has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Anadarko assets in Oklahoma for $3 billion, covering approximately 360,000 acres, which represents nearly all of the company's holdings in the area, expected to significantly enhance the company's financial position.
- Production Overview: As of February, Ovintiv's production is approximately 90,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, including 27,000 barrels of oil and condensate, 240 million cubic feet of natural gas, and 23,000 barrels of natural gas liquids daily, showcasing the company's robust performance in the energy market.
- Strategic Focus: CEO Brendan McCracken stated that this transaction will allow the company to concentrate on its deep premium inventory in North America's two most valuable plays, the Permian and Montney, thereby delivering superior returns to shareholders.
- Future Guidance: Ovintiv plans to issue its first-quarter 2026 guidance and updated shareholder return framework on February 23, 2026, during the release of its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, further bolstering market confidence in its growth prospects.
See More
Ovintiv Initiated with Equal Weight Rating and $44 Price Target
- Attractive Valuation: Ovintiv (OVV) was initiated with an Equal Weight rating and a price target of $44 by Stephens, which noted an estimated 2026 EV/EBITDA ratio of 3.6x, representing a 30% discount to the large-cap oil peer group average of 5.1x, highlighting the stock's appeal.
- Asset Sale Plans: The upcoming sale of Ovintiv's Anadarko Basin assets is expected to fetch approximately $3.5 billion, allowing for a reduction of net debt by over 65% this year, thereby laying the groundwork for future shareholder returns.
- Leading Drilling Efficiency: Ovintiv ranked first or second in drilling and completion efficiencies among the most active operators in the Midland and Anadarko basins over the past two years, with average well costs for 2024-25 being among the lowest in each basin, showcasing its competitive edge in cost management.
- Acquisition Expansion: The recent free cash flow accretive acquisition of NuVista Energy, expected to close in Q1, will increase Ovintiv's Montney drilling inventory by approximately 70% at a cost of around $1.3 million per location, further strengthening its market position.
See More
