The Energy Sector comprises companies whose businesses are dominated by either of the following activities: The construction or provision of oil rigs, drilling equipment and other energy related service and equipment, including seismic data collection. Companies engaged in the exploration, production, marketing, refining and/or transportation of oil and gas products, coal and other consumable fuels. This screen looks at the highest yielding unit trust securities in the energy sector. These stocks are rated 4 or 5 stars by Standard & Poor’s meaning they are classified as buys or strong buys. The latest S&P research notes are shown below.
Energy Transfer Partners LP (EPT) – After reviewing our earnings model, we lower our ’12 earnings per unit estimate to $2.64 from $3.20, reflecting the sale of its propane operations. On January 12, ETP announced that it had closed on the sale of propane operations to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (APU 44, Hold) for approximately $2.85 billion. We view the transaction positively as it should enable ETP to focus on its natural gas liquids services. We keep our target price of $53, based on an expected yield of 6.9% on our forward distributions projection, higher than the peer average.
Regency Energy Partners LP (RGP) – After reviewing our earnings model, we keep our Q4 ’11 and full-year ’11 earnings per unit estimates of $0.24 and $0.63, respectively. We view positive RGP’s efforts to expand its natural gas liquids footprint. RGP plans to invest $630 million-$680 million in capex in ’12, vs. $373 million in ’11. We keep our ’12 earnings per unit estimate of $0.99 and initiate ’13’s at $1.01. Due to a recent rise in peer valuation multiples, we lift our target price by $2, to $29, based on our target yield of 6.6% on estimated 12-month forward distributions, higher than its peers.
Crestwood Midstream Partners LP (CMLP) – Ahead of Q4 earnings expected on February 25, we lower our Q4 earnings per unit estimate to $0.34
from $0.39 and our ’11 earnings per unit estimate to $1.10 from $1.15, based on lower gathering volumes. We maintain our ’12 earnings per unit forecast of
$1.68. CMLP declared a Q4 cash distribution of $0.49, 14% higher than a year earlier. We believe that CMLP will increase its cash distributions 8% to $2.02
in ’12. We keep our 12-month target price of $32, based on expected yield of 6.3% on our forward annualized distribution estimate, higher than the peer average.
Buckeye Partners LP (BPL) – Ahead of Q4 results scheduled for Feb 10, we maintain our Q4 earnings per unit estimate of $0.94, vs. adjusted $0.66. We keep our ’11 and ’12 earnings per unit forecasts of $3.37 and $3.75. In ’12, we expect BPL to raise its cash distribution by 4.1% to $4.24 per unit. We are encouraged by BPL’s efforts to increase waterborne refined products going into New York Harbor in order to replace volumes lost from expected refinery closures in the Northeast. We keep our target price of $75, based on a target yield of 5.6% on our forward cash distribution, below the peer average.
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP (KMP) – KMP posts an adjusted Q4 earnings per unit of $0.55, vs. $0.46, above our $0.51 estimate, reflecting better than expected earnings at its natural gas pipelines and CO2 pipelines segments. In ’12, we see KMP benefiting from strong growth at its products pipelines and natural gas pipelines segments. We keep our ’12 earnings per unit estimate of $2.34 and introduce our ’13 estimate of $2.51. We increase our target price to $99 from $96, based on a revised target yield of 5.0% on our estimated forward distributions, below its peer average.
Plains All American Pipeline LP (PAA) – The proposed acquisition of Canadian NGL and LPG assets from BP plc (BP 43, Hold) for $1.67B is expected
to boost PAA’s ’12 distribution payout 8%-9% ($3.98 currently). Also, PAA has entered or completed 4 other deals for a total of $620M, focused on South Texas oil. Separately, and before acquisitions, PAA sees Q4 EBITDA exceeding guidance of $410M by 10%-15%, and we lift our ’11 earnings per unit forecast $0.22 to $4.90. Based on a target yield of 5.4%, in line with peers, and a ’12 distribution growth target of 4%-5% before acquisitions, we up our target price
by $3 to $76.
Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPD) – EPD posts Q4 earnings of $0.82, vs. $0.33, above our $0.56 estimate, reflecting better than expected
results at its natural gas liquids pipeline and services segment. Q4 cash distributions rose 5.1% to $0.62 per unit. We forecast cash distributions
increasing 6.0% to $2.58 per unit this year. In ’12, we see EPD gaining from strong NGL demand. We keep our ’12 earnings per unit estimate at $2.24, and
increase our 12-month target price to $59 from $54, based on an expected yield of 4.4% on our forward distribution forecast, lower than its peer average, on
strong NGL fundamentals.
