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

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

Taxes and the Distressed MLP Investor

Image show above: Performance of the Alerian MLP ETF. “Perhaps the worst thing about MLPs is that investors can spend more time doing and thinking about tax-related items than actually evaluating the businesses of the underlying entities. This could result in poor investment decisions.” – Brian Nelson, CFA By Brian Nelson, CFA What a sensitive topic for many… Our team presented at the Chicago chapter of the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) last weekend. It is always an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to present to such wonderful people! They ask so many great questions. (By the way, I’m working on my schedule for 2017, so if you’d like our team to speak on a topic … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending January 22

Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered their dividends during the week ending January 22. 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 Alaska Air (ALK): now $0.275 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.20. Alexanders Inc. (ALX): now $4.00 share quarterly dividend, was $3.50. ALLETE (ALE): now $0.52 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.505. Bar Harbor Bankshares (BHB): now $0.265 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.26. Cardinal Financial (CFNL): now $0.12 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.11. CenterPoint (CNP): now $0.2575 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.2475. Chicopee Bancorp … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending February 3

Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered their dividends during the week ending February 3. 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 Allegion (ALLE): now $0.16 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.12. Amanda Hoffler Properties (AHH): now $0.19 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.18. Apartment Investment (AIV): now $0.36 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.33. Apollo Global Management (APO): now $0.45 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.35. AvalonBay Communities (AVB): now $1.42 per share quarterly dividend, was $1.35. Avista Corporation (AVA): now $0.3575 per share quarterly dividend, was … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending April 21

Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered their dividends during the week ending April 21. 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 $0.19 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.18. American Water Works (AWK): now $0.415 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.375. Aon (AON): now $0.36 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.33. Blackstone (BX): now $0.87 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.47. Celanese (CE): now $0.46 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.36. CONE Midstream Partners (CNNX): now $0.2821 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.2724. Cross … Read more

Dividend Increases/Decreases for the Week Ending August 4

Below we provide a list of firms that raised/lowered their dividends during the week ending August 4. 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 American States Water (AWR): now $0.255 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.242. Apollo Global Management (APO): now $0.52 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.49. Aqua America (WTR): now $0.2047 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.1913. Bank of Marin Bancorp (BMRC): now $0.29 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.27. Banco Santander (SAN): now $0.056 per share quarterly dividend, was $0.046. Cable One (CABO): now $1.75 per share … Read more