Valuentum Exclusive Analysis for the Discerning Investor

Kinder Morgan’s Dividend Is Much Healthier These Days
Image: Kinder Morgan’s shares have done quite well thanks to improved free cash flow performance. Year-to-date Kinder Morgan's free cash flow, as measured by cash flow from operations less all capital spending, totaled $2.27 billion, higher than the $1.92 billion it paid in cash dividends during the same time period. Years ago, Kinder Morgan’s capital spending and cash dividends paid were significantly higher than cash flow from operations, necessitating a dividend cut. Things are much different these days, as Kinder Morgan’s free cash flow covered cash dividends paid by $353 million during the first nine months of the year. Though the firm retains a large net debt position, Kinder Morgan’s dividend is much healthier than it was years ago. Shares yield 4.6% at the time of this writing.

Feb 19, 2024

Energy Transfer’s Lofty Distributions Are Much More Sustainable These Days
Image: Energy Transfer covered its distributions with traditional free cash flow in 2023, and the company offers investors an elevated distribution yield. Energy Transfer reported mixed fourth-quarter results on February 14, but the company’s traditional free cash flow metrics continue to hold up well, providing support to its lofty distribution. Years ago, pipeline entities were spending much more than they reasonably could to be able to sustain their distributions at prior levels, and many have readjusted both their capital spending trajectories as well as their distributions over the years. These days, pipeline entities such as Energy Transfer, with their geographically diversified portfolio of assets, are in much better shape to sustain their payouts. Units of Energy Transfer yield ~8.7% at the time of this writing.

Jan 28, 2024

Energy Transfer Making a Comeback, Shares Yield ~8.7%
Image: Energy Transfer is working its way back after a long stretch of underperformance. On January 25, Energy Transfer raised its dividend modestly, by 0.8%, to $0.315 per share on a quarterly basis, and while Energy Transfer still has a massive net debt position to the tune of ~$47.6 billion, the firm’s traditional free cash flow of the payout suggests sustainability, absent any exogenous shocks. Standard & Poor’s recently upgraded its unsecured debt rating to BBB with a Stable outlook, and the firm’s capital spending guidance for 2023 was recently lowered, further helping free cash flow. Energy Transfer is staging a comeback, and for risk-seeking income investors, its ~8.7% dividend yield is worth a look.

May 24, 2018

Understanding the Phenomenon of “Price Risk” in High Yield
Image Source: Julien Carnot. We want you to learn about a unique risk innate to the high yield space like the back of your hand. We'll explain the "information contained in prices" and talk about what you should be on the lookout for, the "avalanche effect." Order the new High Yield Dividend Newsletter here.

Jul 7, 2017

MLP Speak: A Critique of Distributable Cash Flow
Let’s talk about a controversial metric that is used in master limited partnership (MLP) reporting. Just how useful is it, and should it be allowed?

Oct 25, 2016

Taxes and the Distressed MLP Investor
“Perhaps the worst thing about MLPs is that investors can spend more time doing and thinking about tax-related items than actually evaluating the businesses of the underlying entities. This could result in poor investment decisions.” – Brian Nelson, CFA

Jul 26, 2015

Dividend Increases for the Week Ending July 24
Let's take a look at companies raising their dividends this week.

Apr 27, 2015

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending April 24
Included please find a list of firms raising/lowering their dividends during the week ending April 24.

Jan 26, 2015

Dividend Increases for the Week Ending January 23
Let's take a look at dividend increases for the week ending January 23.

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Valuentum Exclusive Analysis for the Discerning Investor