There Will Be Volatility

By Brian Nelson, CFA Last year, 2022, was a big test for equity investors, and the downside volatility that we witnessed during the year wasn’t comfortable, to say the least. Following the COVID-19 crash and rebound during 2020, and then the market surge in 2021, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say many investors’ heads are probably still spinning from all the volatility witnessed to start this decade. That said, part of what we’ve been warning about the past few years with respect to the equity market, especially in Value Trap, is that the proliferation of price-agnostic trading (e.g. quant, machine/algorithmic trading, etc.) will only lead to more and more market volatility, so while we were somewhat surprised by last … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week April 16

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending April 16. The dividend reports of covered firms on this list will be updated shortly with the new information. To access our dividend reports use the ‘Symbol’ search box in our website header. Firms Raising Their Dividends This Week Agree Realty (ADC): now $0.217 per share monthly dividend, was $0.207. Aon (AON): now $0.51 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.46. AptarGroup (ATR): now $0.38 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.36. Artesian Resources (ARTNA): now $0.261 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.257. Banco Santander-Chile (BSAC): now $0.9285 per share annual dividend, was $0.4651. Cadence Bancorporation (CADE): now $1.25 per share special dividend, was $0.15. Costco (COST): … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending July 12

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending July 12. The dividend reports of covered firms on this list will be updated shortly with the new information. To access our dividend reports use the ‘Symbol’ search box in our website header. Firms Raising Their Dividends This Week Antero Midstream (AM): now $0.3075 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.3025. Bank of America Corporation Deposit Shs Perp Pfd Shs Series E (BAC.PE): now $0.2556 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.2472. BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust (BPT): now $0.5510 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.3449. Clough Global Allocation Fund (GLV): now $0.1032 per share monthly dividend, was $0.1023. Cummins (CMI): now $1.311 per share quarterly dividend, … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending April 12

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending April 12. The dividend reports of covered firms on this list will be updated shortly with the new information. To access our dividend reports use the ‘Symbol’ search box in our website header. Firms Raising Their Dividends This Week Antero Midstream (AM): now $0.3025 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.164. Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY): now $0.17 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.16. Clough Global Allocation Fund (GLV): now $0.1034 per share monthly dividend, was $0.1032. Clough Global Equity Fund (GLQ): now $0.1137 per share monthly dividend, was $0.1123. Clough Global Opportunities Fund (GLO): now $0.0893 per share monthly dividend, was $0.0882. Enterprise Products Partners … Read more

S&P Global: “Enterprise’s shift on cash flow reflects ‘metamorphosis’ of US pipeline firms”

S&P Global: “While several major U.S. energy pipeline companies spent 2018 shedding cash-leaking habits and forging a more conventional financial structure as stocks languished, adopting reporting practices that are more accessible to the investing public could be a gradual process for the industry, if it takes flight at all.” S&P Global: “Enterprise’s shift on cash flow reflects ‘metamorphosis’ of US pipeline firms” Click here to read the article. Tickerized for holdings in the Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP). Pipelines – Oil & Gas: BPL, DCP, ENB, EPD, ET, GMLP, HEP, KMI, MMP, NS, PAA, WES —– Valuentum members have access to our 16-page stock reports, Valuentum Buying Index ratings, Dividend Cushion ratios, fair value estimates and ranges, dividend reports and more. Not … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending January 18

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending January 18. The dividend reports of covered firms on this list will be updated shortly with the new information. To access our dividend reports use the ‘Symbol’ search box in our website header. Firms Raising Their Dividends This Week Alliant Energy (LNT): now $0.355 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.335. Ally Financial (ALLY): now $0.17 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.15. Antero Midstream GP (AMGP): now $0.164 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.144. Antero Midstream Partners (AM): now $0.47 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.44. Apogee (APOG): now $0.175 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.1575. BlackRock (BLK): now $3.30 per share quarterly dividend, was $3.13. … Read more

Hi-Crush and EnLink Join Growing List of MLP Simplifications

Image Source: EnLink transaction presentation A number of master limited partnerships continue to transition to more simplified structures as they attempt to become increasingly nimble organizations. By Kris Rosemann The ongoing trend of master limited partnership simplification transactions continued October 22 as proppant and logistics solutions provider Hi-Crush Partners (HCLP) acquired its general partner and slash its quarterly distribution to $0.225 per unit from $0.75 per unit. The now C-Corp used 11 million newly issued units to acquire Hi-Crush Proppants LLC for a total consideration of $96.25 million and eliminated its incentive distribution rights in doing so. Rationale cited for making the change is very similar to other similar transactions, including a lower cost of capital, wider appeal to a range … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending October 19

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending October 19. The dividend reports of covered firms on this list will be updated shortly with the new information. To access our dividend reports use the ‘Symbol’ search box in our website header. Firms Raising Their Dividends This Week 1st Constitution Bancorp (FCCY): now $0.075 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.06. Antero Midstream GP (AMGP): now $0.144 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.125. Antero Midstream Partners (AM): now $0.44 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.415. Blackstone (BX): now $0.64 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.58. BP Midstream Partners (BPMP): now $0.2915 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.2725. Central Valley Community Bancorp (CVCY): now $0.09 per … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending July 20

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending July 20. The dividend reports of covered firms on this list will be updated shortly with the new information. To access our dividend reports use the ‘Symbol’ search box in our website header. Firms Raising Their Dividends This Week 1st Source (SRCE): now $0.25 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.24. Ally Financial (ALLY): now $0.15 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.13. Antero Midstream GP (AMGP): now $0.125 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.108. Antero Midstream Partners (AM): now $0.415 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.39. AptarGroup (ATR): now $0.34 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.32. Aqua America (WTR): now $0.219 per share quarterly dividend, was … Read more

Objectivity in Analysis and the MLP Enigma

President of Investment Research Brian Nelson talks about how financial statement analysis keeps analysts objective. He also goes into how the distribution yields of MLPs may not reflect underlying business dynamics. Nelson also explains an inconsistency in the use of financing that supports the idea that MLPs are using external capital market issuances to fund distributions. Running time: ~15 minutes.