The Free Cash Flow Shortfall in the Master Limited Partnership Space

With the recent acceleration of master limited partnership simplification transactions, we find it appropriate to revisit the internally-generated cash flow shortfall present throughout much of the space. The table provides a breakdown of traditional free cash flow (cash from operating activities less all capital spending) relative to distributions paid, as well as a measure of the elevated financial leverage often found within the group. In case you missed it, “Nearly 60 Distribution Cuts Later, We Maintain Our View on the Hazards of the MLP Business Model.” By Kris Rosemann We think it is worth noting that the two entities at the top of this list in terms of traditional free cash flow coverage of distributions paid have significantly reduced their … Read more

Master Limited Partnership Simplifications on the Rise

  With the announcement of three separate master limited partnership simplification transactions on May 17 alone, we must revisit our thesis that the business structure may not be in it for the long haul. By Kris Rosemann At Valuentum, we continue to believe the master limited partnership (MLP) business model is at risk over the long haul, and recent news from the space only seems to support the notion that the MLP model we once knew may be fading more quickly than some had expected. If there is nothing inherently wrong with the structure of MLPs, then the rate at which simplification transactions are occurring would certainly be an alarming development, but we continue to point to factors such as … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending January 12

Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered their dividends during the week ending January 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 Ally Financial (ALLY): now $0.13 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.12. Apogee (APOG): now $0.1575 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.14. ARES Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund (ARDC): now $0.1075 per share monthly dividend, was $0.1050. Codorus Valley (CVLY): now $0.155 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.135. Enterprise Products Partners (EPD): now $0.425 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.4225. Genesis Energy (GEL): now $0.51 per share quarterly … 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.

Video: What Cash Flow Are You Talking About?

President of Investment Research Brian Nelson reviews important topics from the first six episodes of “Off the Cuff,” and goes into great detail about all the intricacies of “cash flow” from traditional free cash flow to enterprise free cash flow valuation. You know you want to watch. Running Time: ~14 minutes To view Valuentum’s updated YouTube page, please see here.  Pipelines – Oil & Gas: BPL, BWP, DPM, ENB, EPD, ETP, EVEP, HEP, KMI, MMP, NS, OKS, PAA, SE, SEP, WES

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending October 13

Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered their dividends during the week ending October 13. 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 Ameren Corporation (AEE): now $0.4575 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.44. Antero Midstream (AM): now $0.34 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.32. Brown & Brown Insurance (BRO): now $0.15 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.135. Civista Bancshares (CIVB): now $0.07 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.06. Clough Global Equity Fund (GLQ): now $0.1188 per share monthly dividend, was $0.1187. Dominion Resources (D): now $0.77 per share … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending July 7

Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered their dividends during the week ending July 7. 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 Bank of the Ozarks (OZRK): now $0.18 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.175. Enterprise Products Partners (EPD): now $0.42 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.415. Highway Holdings (HIHO): now $0.10 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.07. HopFed Bancorp (HFBC): now $0.05 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.04.        Medtronic (MDT): now $0.46 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.43. NetApp (NTAP): now $0.20 per share quarterly dividend, was … Read more

MLP Speak: A Critique of Distributable Cash Flow

–> Handout 1: Pitfalls of Distribution Yield Analysis (pdf) –> Handout 2: Linking P/DCF to Enterprise Free Cash Flow Valuation (pdf) 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? By Brian Nelson, CFA It’s been a few years since the fallout in the prices of most master limited partnerships (AMLP), but to me, it still feels like yesterday. We continue to have many concerns about the longevity of the business models of MLPs, and we maintain our view that the operating structure will be challenged over the long haul. New equity and debt funding (issuance) continues to, in part, fuel the distributions of most MLPs, … Read more

Alert: Trading MLPs, Adding Boeing, Adding Hanesbrands

Image Source: Ken Teegardin We’re on the move January 26 in the Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio. By Brian Nelson, CFA Hi everyone, I hope that you are doing great! We’re on the move January 26 with three new additions to the Dividend Growth Newsletter portfolio. Many of you have read our “5 Shocking Stock Market Predictions for 2017,” and consistent with what we think may happen this year, we’re putting some cash to work. First, let’s talk Boeing (BA). We love the aerospace giant, and its recent dividend hike of 30%+ caught our attention in a big way. The company’s backlog is tremendous and its free cash flow generation is top notch. Boeing’s diversified exposure to both commercial aerospace and … Read more