Valuentum Exclusive Analysis for the Discerning Investor

Symbol Keyword

Mar 14, 2023

Norfolk Southern’s Environmental and Safety Troubles Plague Stock
Image: Norfolk Southern’s environmental troubles have sent its stock back to pre-pandemic levels. The company is yet another example of why companies cannot take for granted how their operations can negatively impact the environment. Image Source: TradingView. Neglecting the environment and employee and consumer/resident safety is a sure way for companies to end up in hot water. Norfolk Southern is under special investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for a series of accidents during the past couple years, punctuated by the derailment and chemical spill occurring in East Palestine, Ohio, in early February. Though the firm’s costs associated with the high-profile train derailment may be capped at $75 million, its reputation may be irreparably harmed. Norfolk Southern is a prime example of why ESG investing has an important role in the marketplace, as the company simply dropped the ball when it came to ‘Environmental’ and ‘Social’ considerations within the ESG construct.

May 6, 2022

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week May 6
Let's take a look at companies that raised/lowered their dividend this week.

Jan 28, 2022

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week January 28
Let's take a look at companies that raised/lowered their dividend this week.

Oct 22, 2021

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week October 22
Let's take a look at companies that raised/lowered their dividend this week.

Apr 23, 2021

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week April 23
Let's take a look at companies that raised/lowered their dividend this week.

Apr 24, 2020

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending April 24
Let's take a look at companies that raised/lowered their dividend this week.

Jan 31, 2020

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending January 31
Let's take a look at companies that raised/lowered their dividend this week.

Nov 13, 2019

Chesapeake Energy’s Pain Indicates Nothing “Safe” About Energy MLP Distributions
Image Source: Valuentum slide deck, December 2015. Valuentum released its bearish case on MLPs in June 2015.  Summary There is nothing "safe" in the stock market, and given the track record of the distributions of pipeline MLPs, there is nothing "safe" about pipeline MLP distributions. The MLP business model continues to be phased out, a trend that we anticipated when we made our bearish call on the group in June 2015. Chesapeake Energy's pain is a yet another reminder of the pipeline MLP group's exposure to energy resource pricing through the health (or rather ill-health) of its customer base. We continue to encourage pipeline operators to disclose free cash flow (cash flow from operations less all gross capital spending) prominently in press releases, alongside other industry-specific metrics. Investors of Chesapeake could get completely wiped out in a Chesapeake bankruptcy, and this could have implications across the pipeline MLP arena.

Oct 25, 2019

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending October 25
Let's take a look at companies that raised/lowered their dividend this week.

Aug 7, 2019

Tallgrass Energy’s Growth Runway Shorter Than Expected
Image Source: Tallgrass Energy LP -- IR Presentation. We parted with Tallgrass as we see greater opportunities in other midstream firms and different parts of the high-yield universe, such as Enterprise Products Partners, which have stronger growth runways and assets that better cater to the ever-evolving needs of North America’s oil & gas industry. Recent weakness in TGE indicates the market is losing faith in Tallgrass’ growth trajectory and its future free cash flows.