Devon Energy (DVN) To Exit Canadian Business, Lower Debt

Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN) announced that it has entered into a definite agreement to sell the Canadian business to Canadian Natural Resources Limited (TSX:CNQ) for $2.8 billion (CAD $3.8 billion). Devon Energy intends to utilize the net proceeds from the Canadian asset divestiture to further lower the existing debt. The transaction is expected to close in second-quarter 2019, subject to fulfillment of customary terms and conditions.

Devon’s Transformation

Devon Energy continues to divest non-core assets, and focus on the resource-rich Delaware and STACK assets, which are the backbone of its U.S.-based production. The divestment of Canadian assets is part of the transformation process of the company.

Devon Energy plans to divest Barnett Shale gas assets in North Texas, and utilize total proceeds from Canadian and Barnett Shale to lower up to $3 billion debt by the end of this year. The expected redemption of debts will lower interest expenses of the company by $130 million annually and have a positive impact on margins.

Focus on Lucrative Domestic Oil

Devon Energy is not the only U.S. company that is selling its Canadian business to focus on profitable U.S. shale assets. Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) has already divested Canadian assets to focus on the Permian Basin.

Devon Energy has plans to increase its focus on oil production from the second half of 2019. The company will concentrate in four areas, namely the Permian in West Texas and New Mexico, the Powder River Basin in Wyoming, the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, and the STACK play in Oklahoma.

One of the primary reasons behind U.S. companies’ exit from Canadian oil sands assets is higher cost of production from these assets compared with U.S shale assets. Fluctuation in oil prices and saturation of pipeline capacity are the other factors leading to the companies’ decision to exit from Canadian oil sands.

Zacks Rank & Another Key Pick

Devon Energy currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Another top-ranked stock from the same industry is Apache Corporation (NYSE:APA) , currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Apache reported a positive average earnings surprise of 31.12% in the last four quarters and its long-term earnings growth is pegged at 6%. Its Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 has moved up 41.3% in the past 60 days to $1.13.

Price Movement

Shares of the company have outperformed its industry on a year-to-date basis.

The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All

Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.

See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>