TD Lowers Target to $6Cardinal Energy Ltd. (CJ-T) C$4.44 Q2 Results. Forecasts Reflect June Acquisition (Brief Summary) Event CJ reported Q2/17 results yesterday after market and we are resuming coverage following an extended restriction period. Impact: NEUTRAL Q2/17 Production Generally In Line. Q2 production averaged 17,154 BOE/d, which was modestly ahead of TD/consensus. Volumes increased 13% from Q1 (15,168 BOE/d) due to a combination of organic growth and a full quarter from a previously announced acquisition. Given that we had been restricted since June, our previous Q2 CFPS forecast had not been marked to market for Q2A commodity prices. 2017 Capex Nudged Downwards to Reflect US$47.50 WTI: With the Q2 results, the company has opted to reduce its 2017 capital budget to $60 million (from $68 million). This is in line with the pre-acquisition guidance of $58 million. The company has opted to trim spending based on a reduced crude outlook of US$47.50/bbl WTI (down from US$55/bbl WTI prior). In our view, this reduction is reasonable as it allows the company to maintain a spending at or below cash flow to avoid adding debt. Large $330 million Asset Acquisition Improves the Business: In our view, the acquired assets improve the company's decline rate (i.e. improve sustaining capital obligations), increase the portion of lighter API crude in its portfolio (reducing the inherent CF volatility of lower margin heavy oil), and expand organic drilling inventory. For additional details regarding the acquisition and implications for the proposed royalty sale, please see our fulsome bulletin also published today. TD Investment Conclusion Looking ahead, we appreciate the more diversified business with an expanded drilling inventory and a lighter crude oil mix. The current debt leverage is higher than we would like given the partial use of its balance sheet to complete the recent acquisition. However, we believe that Cardinal recognizes this given that it is reducing the leverage by a modest capex reduction and attempting to divest approximately $7mm/year of royalty CF. With a low base decline rate, 9.5% dividend yield and a 2018E payout ratio of 76%, and now a below historical valuation at 4.2x 2018E EV/DACF - we believe that Cardinal offers unique torque to rising crude oil prices, while being paid to wait.