cenovus energy inc shares rose in early trading wednesday after the company said it would triple its dividend and plans to return more money to shareholders after beating expectations in its first quarter results at 936 am et shares were up 32 at c2177 the canadian oil and gas company reported net income of 163 billion canadian dollars us127 billion compared with c220 million a year earlier generating adjusted funds flow of c258 billion compared with c114 billion and free funds flow of c184 billion from c594 million the board of directors increased its base dividend to c042 a share annually from c014 and said it will return excess free funds flow as it meets lower debt targets