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

The Days of the MLP Model Are Numbered

By Brian Nelson, CFA On August 24, Enbridge (ENB) announced that it would enter into a definitive agreement under which the entity would buy Spectra Energy Partners (SEP) at an exchange ratio of 1.111 common shares of Enbridge for each common unit of SEP, a near-10% increase from the exchange ratio announced a few months ago. As we have outlined in the past, most recently with respect to the following discussion on the Energy Transfer Equity (ETE) and Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) tie up, “ETE-ETP Rollup and Implied Distribution Cut,” consolidations are slowly eliminating the MLP model via simplification efforts and many combinations are coming with implied distribution/dividend cuts, something that couldn’t have been imagined in years prior. The story … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending July 13

Below we provide a list of firms that raised their dividends during the week ending July 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 Avangrid (AGR): now $0.44 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.432. Bassett Furniture (BSET): now $0.125 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.11. BP Prudhoe Bay Royalty Trust (BPT): now $1.4076 per share quarterly dividend, was $1.2748. Clough Global Allocation Fund (GLV): now $0.1138 per share monthly dividend, was $0.1135. Clough Global Equity Fund (GLQ): now $0.1278 per share monthly dividend, was $0.1234. Clough Global Opportunities Fund (GLO): … Read more

In The News: APU, EPD, MMP, OHI, PSA, O, TGE

We’re keeping a close eye on a number of high-yielding equities, and several have reported strong earnings during the calendar second quarter. By Kris Rosemann AmeriGas Partners Raises Adjusted EBITDA Guidance AmeriGas Partners (APU), the country’s largest retail propane marketer, turned in its best fiscal third quarter adjusted EBITDA performance since fiscal 2013 in the quarter ended June 30, 2018, results released August 1. Adjusted EBITDA advanced 15% from the year-ago period, and management subsequently raised its full-year fiscal 2018 EBITDA guidance to $625-$645 million from $610-$620 million. Retail volumes sold grew 4% in the quarter thanks to colder weather in April, which was partially offset by warmer months in May and June compared to the same period of fiscal … Read more

Midstreams Going C-Corp, Should SEC Disallow the Measure Distributable Cash Flow?

Key Takeaways It’s important to differentiate the concept of enterprise free cash flow valuation and the idea of capital-market dependence. The uncertainty of the MLP business model remains, as it is clear operators are shunning the MLP business model preferring C-Corps instead. According to work from Global X Funds, now 40% of the energy infrastructure market cap consists of C-Corps, up considerably from just 15% at the end of 2014. Though many simplifications have come with implied distribution cuts, the primary reason for the rise in C-Corps across the midstream space has been the rationalizing of excess MLP valuations to enterprise free cash flow assessments. We encourage the SEC to consider disallowing the use of distributable cash flow, as it … Read more