Worst in Energy Not Over, Stay Away from Leveraged Enterprises, Seeds of Financial Crisis Sown?

Image Shown: The energy and banking markets continue to be experiencing pain. Since we removed the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) and Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) from the Best Ideas Newsletter portfolio and Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio, the XLE has fallen more than 50% and the XLF has fallen 13%, while the SPY has held up roughly 2%. We continue to believe staying away from energy and financials/banks will be a source of significant alpha. These are challenging times. The oil price swoon has complicated an already-dire situation with COVID-19. We’re seeing cracks in the credit markets, and the European banking system is far from healthy. The US banks may face knock-on impacts from energy loan defaults and hold … Read more

Valuentum’s Comprehensive Outlook for Crude Oil and Natural Gas Prices

Let’s take a deep dive into the energy sector. The best dividend growth ideas, the most likely takeout candidates and more…

The Best Years Are Ahead

By Brian Nelson, CFA — The wind is at our backs. — The Federal Reserve, Treasury, and regulatory bodies of the U.S. may have no choice but to keep U.S. markets moving higher. The likelihood of the S&P 500 reaching 2,000 ever again seems remote, and I would not be surprised to see 5,000 on the S&P 500 before we see 2,500-3,000, if the latter may be in the cards. The S&P 500 is trading at ~4,100 at the time of this writing. — The high end of our fair value range on the S&P 500 remains just shy of 4,000, but I foresee a massive shift in long-term capital out of traditional bonds into equities this decade (and markets … Read more

Update: Frequently Asked Questions About Valuentum Securities, Inc.

What is Valuentum Securities? Valuentum (val∙u∙n∙tum) [val-yoo-en-tuh-m] Securities Inc. is an independent investment research publisher, offering premium equity reports and dividend reports, as well as commentary across all sectors/companies, a Best Ideas Newsletter (spanning market caps, asset classes), a Dividend Growth Newsletter, modeling tools/products, and more. Independence and integrity remain our core, and we strive to be a champion of the investor. Valuentum is based in the Chicagoland area. Valuentum is not a money manager, broker, or financial advisor. Valuentum is a publisher of financial information. How do I subscribe to Valuentum’s investment research services? 1)    Click the following link: signup-page. 2)    Select your membership plan. 3)    Enter your contact details. 4)    Click ‘Sign Up.’ 5)    Complete your purchase. 6)   Your payment profile may be recurring, so please check … Read more

Why Natural Gas Prices are So Low and Will Likely Remain So for Some Time

US Congress Is Getting Ready to Pass a Massive ~$2.2 Trillion Fiscal Stimulus Bill

Image Shown: US equities have started to recover some of their lost ground as the likelihood that the US Congress will pass a massive ~$2.2 trillion fiscal stimulus and emergency spending package, dubbed the CARES Act, has increased significantly over the past week as seen through the bounce in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY). President Trump has clearly indicated that he intends to sign such a bill into law as soon as possible, with the US House of Representatives expected to take up the legislation this upcoming Friday morning on March 27. By Callum Turcan On March 25, the US Senate worked late into the night to secure a bipartisan compromise on a massive ~$2.2 trillion fiscal stimulus … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week August 6

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending August 6. 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 AllianceBernstein (AB): now $0.91 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.81. Altabancorp (ALTA): now $0.17 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.15. APA (APA): now $1.50 per share special dividend, was $0.025. Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A. (BSBR): now $0.145 per share dividend, was $0.135. Barings BDC (BBDC): now $0.21 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.20. Berry (BRY): now $0.06 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.04. BG Staffing (BGSF): … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week September 24

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending September 24. 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 Accenture (ACN): now $0.97 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.88. Aerocentury (ACY): now $0.6468 per share special dividend. Altabancorp (ALTA): now $0.46 per share special dividend, was $0.17. Alvopetro Energy (ALVOF): now $0.06 per share quarterly dividend. APA (APA): now $0.0625 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.0250. Ardagh Group (ARD): now $1.25 per share special dividend, was $0.15. Artesian Resources (ARTNA): now $0.2675 per share quarterly … Read more

Our Thoughts on Chevron Buying Noble Energy

Image Shown: An overview of Chevron Corporation’s all-stock acquisition of Noble Energy Inc that was announced in July 2020. Image Source: Chevron Corporation – July 2020 Noble Energy Acquisition Presentation By Callum Turcan On July 20, Chevron Corporation (CVX) announced it was acquiring Noble Energy Inc (NBL) through a $5.0 billion all-stock transaction, or $13.0 billion when factoring in net debt and the book value of non-controlling interests. Shareholders of Noble Energy will receive approximately 0.12 share of Chevron for each share of Noble Energy. At the time the deal was announced, shareholders of NBL were receiving a ~12% premium based on the ten-day average closing stock prices. Chevron intends to issue ~58 million shares to cover the deal, keeping … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week November 5

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending November 5. 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 AdvanSix (ASIX): now $0.125 per share quarterly dividend. Air Lease (AL): now $0.185 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.160. American Financial (AFG): now $4.00 per share special dividend, was $0.56. America Movil (AMX): now $0.197 per share dividend, was $0.177. AmerisourceBergen (ABC): now $0.46 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.44. APA (APA): now $0.125 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.0625. Arc Resources (AETUF): now CAD 0.10 … Read more