The Canadian Energy Stock I’m Buying Now: It’s a Steal

Sometimes the market hands you a valuable gift, a company with improving fundamentals, insider confidence, and institutional accumulation, all while the crowd remains skeptical. Gran Tierra Energy (TSX:GTE) stock is a grossly undervalued Canadian energy stock that I’d buy right now.

Up 90% year to date, GTE stock has rallied substantially from its January lows. But what excites value investors isn’t the price action — it’s what’s happening beneath the surface that tells me this rally still has long-term legs, despite a recent drop on Wednesday triggered by abrupt resignations from four directors.

The smart money is loading up on Gran Tierra Energy stock

When insiders put their own capital to work, retail investors should pay attention. In December, major shareholder Daniel Lau purchased 360,000 shares at an average of US$3.95 (CA$5.43). This was a US$1.4 million (CA$1.9 million) vote of confidence in the small-cap energy stock’s future prospects.

But Lau isn’t the only key investor to make a great call on GTE stock. Institutional investors have been accumulating Gran Tierra stock recently. Equinox Partners, a hedge fund, boosted its position by 2.5% during the fourth quarter of 2025 to 6.38 million shares. LM Asset Management increased its stake to 10.7% of Gran Tierra’s equity this month, while Bridgeway Capital and American Century also grew their positions recently.

When sophisticated money moves like this, it’s usually because it sees something retail investors may not have priced in yet.

Gran Tierra stock is severely undervalued

Despite its 90% year-to-date gain, a massive disconnect between Gran Tierra Energy stock’s most recent trading price and its net asset value represents a rare moment for value investors, including a smart money manager that’s been loading up on GTE stock recently.

While Gran Tierra Energy has seen its share price climb above the $11 mark recently, it remains one of the most undervalued stocks on the TSX when measured against its underground riches.

According to its latest reserves report, the company’s after-tax net asset value for its proven and probable reserves sits at more than US$31 per share (CA$42.60). Even after its recent rally, GTE stock is still trading at a staggering 74% discount to what its assets are actually worth in a stable oil environment.

Gran Tierra used product prices far below US$70 per barrel for its most recent resource estimation. At a US$$99 oil (WTI), that value gap is essentially a coiled spring waiting for a catalyst to release it.

GTE financially engineering catalysts for success

Gran Tierra’s rapidly repairing balance sheet has removed the biggest dark cloud hanging over the stock’s performance.

In October 2025, Gran Tierra secured a US$200 million crude oil prepayment and marketing deal through its Swiss subsidiary. Counterparties handed over US$150 million upfront (with another US$50 million available) essentially because they have absolute confidence in Gran Tierra’s growing operations in Ecuador. The financial engineering secured non-dilutive financing while improving GTE’s financial flexibility.

Market skeptics often pointed to Gran Tierra’s debt load as a reason to stay away, but that argument is losing its teeth in 2026. The Canadian energy company successfully completed a major bond exchange in March 2026 with nearly 88% investor participation, effectively pushing out its maturities and giving it the breathing room needed to execute its growth plan as it expands its production footprint to oil-rich Azerbaijan while targeting free cash flow growth starting this year.

With a goal to bring its net debt metrics down by 2028 — or sooner if oil prices stay elevated —  leverage risks are evaporating while GTE stock’s upside looks to remain intact.

As the company continues to use its cash flow to retire debt and buy back shares, the market will eventually have no choice but to narrow the net asset value discount on Gran Tierra stock.

Investor takeaway

Gran Tierra is the kind of stock that makes value investing work: improving fundamentals, insider confidence, institutional accumulation, and a market that hasn’t fully connected the dots.

That said, investors should continue to watch closely for any new developments concerning recent director “mass” resignations, likely in protest of a corporate governance move. Any material adverse information could emerge, or the dust may just settle.

Regardless, the value case on Gran Tierra stock warrants a discounted long-term starter position, in my view.

The post The Canadian Energy Stock I’m Buying Now: It’s a Steal appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

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Fool contributor Brian Paradza has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.