Ovintiv Inc. (OVV) shares are soaring 5.03% in pre-market trading on Friday, following the company's better-than-expected second-quarter results and positive analyst actions. The energy company's strong performance has sparked renewed investor interest in the stock.

The upward movement comes after Ovintiv reported higher-than-anticipated Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue late Thursday. Adding to the positive sentiment, Barclays raised its price target on Ovintiv to $57 from $55, maintaining an Overweight rating on the shares. Scotiabank also reaffirmed its Buy rating on the stock, setting a price target of $51.00.

Ovintiv's impressive results and the subsequent analyst upgrades highlight the company's strong position in the energy sector. As oil prices continue to fluctuate, Ovintiv's ability to exceed expectations suggests effective management and operational efficiency, potentially making it an attractive option for investors in the current market environment.