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Commodities Trading Ideas & Charts

Investors Overlooking Occidental’s long term Cash Generation Potential

fair value is estimated to $37 per share, from $32. The increase primarily reflects a reduced cost of capital assumption. Given how quickly the firm is deleveraging it is appropriate to penalize the firm with an above average cost of debt.

The preoccupation with near-term capital returns has driven investors away from Occidental. The firm is still coping with uncomfortable leverage ratios following the ill-timed 2019 acquisition of Anadarko Petroleum, making debt reduction the only prudent use of its excess cash. The market is overlooking the firm’s relatively modest base decline. 

Oxy has a diversified portfolio, with oil and gas contributions from non-shale assets in the Middle East and the Gulf of Mexico to complement its unconventional operations in the Permian Basin and the DJ Basin. So it can more easily sustain its production than shale pure plays that must continually invest in new drilling to offset steep declines from existing wells.

Company’s performance

The firm’s enhanced oil recovery operations further reduces the base decline. The firm also generates stable cash flows from its extensive midstream and chemical segments. As a result, the firm can hold its volumes flat with a long term reinvestment rate of about 35%. And when the firm reaches its target debt level, which it can realistically do in 6 months from now, given how quickly it is generating excess cash, then that very low reinvestment rate should leave plenty of free cash to distribute. The three firms we highlighted earlier–Pioneer, Devon, and EOG–have 2025 discretionary cash flow yields of about 10% at current prices. 

Company’s Future Outlook

That means the market is baking in long-term dividend yields of around 5%, assuming these firms plan to return half of their surplus cash. In contrast, Oxy’s discretionary cash flow yields in 2025, after accounting for all capital spending and preferred dividends, is over 20% at the current price. This underscores our view that shares are undervalued.

Company Profile

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: OXY) is an independent exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Latin America, and the Middle East. At the end of 2020, the company reported net proved reserves of 2.9 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Net production averaged 1,306 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2020 at a ratio of 74% oil and natural gas liquids and 26% natural gas.

 (Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

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Commodities Trading Ideas & Charts

AGL’s Earnings Falling as Expected but Light at the End of the Tunnel

in line with our expectations and in the middle of the guidance range. Earnings are expected to fall again in fiscal 2022 as management has been flagging for some time. Guidance is for underlying NPAT of AUD 220 million to AUD 340 million, with the midpoint down 48% in 2021. AGL’s cheap coal supply underpins its competitive advantage.

Competitors with shorter dated coal supply contracts should start to be hurt by high coal prices in coming years, potentially forcing them out of the market and pushing electricity prices higher. EBITDA fell 21% to AUD 1.6 billion in fiscal 2021 on lower electricity prices and higher gas supply costs. Headwinds from low electricity prices continue into fiscal 2022, and management is focused on reducing operating costs and maintenance capital expenditure through efficiency initiatives.

EBITDA rose 16% to AUD 337 million on cost savings and higher retail gas prices. The retail business has made a few interesting acquisitions recently to expand its geographic footprint to the West Coast, widen its service offering to include telecommunications and solar installations, and benefit from economies of scale. This should generate good returns.

Company’s Future Outlook

It is estimated that NPAT bottoms in fiscal 2023 at AUD 231 million before recovering back to AUD 442 million by 2026. The stock materially undervalued on a long-term view. Based on the current share price, it is forecasted to have a PE ratio of about 10 by 2026. Far more important is the expected recovery in electricity prices, given AGL is a huge producer of electricity through its three coal-fired power stations. It is expected that AGL’s financial position is sound; though there is modest risk given, banks are making life difficult by trying to reduce lending to coal power stations.

Company Profile

AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) is one of Australia’s largest retailers of electricity and gas. It services 3.7 million retail electricity and gas accounts in the eastern and southern Australian states, or about one third of the market. Profit is dominated by energy generation, underpinned by its low-cost coal-fired generation fleet. Founded in 1837, it is the oldest company on the ASX. Generation capacity comprises a portfolio of peaking, intermediate, and base-load electricity generation plants, with a combined capacity of 10,500 megawatts.

(Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

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Commodities Trading Ideas & Charts

EOG May Need Fewer Rigs to Avoid Excess Growth Due to Capital Efficiency, Lowering FVE

 It derives almost all of its production from shale fields in the U.S., with a small incremental contribution from Trinidad. The firm differentiates itself by attempting to identify prospective areas before most peers catch on, enabling it to secure leaseholds at attractive rates (rather than overpaying for land after the market overheats). It has only one large-scale M&A deal under its belt, related to its 2016 entry to the Permian Basin.

Nevertheless, the firm is also active in most other name-brand shale plays, including the Bakken and Eagle Ford. Additionally, the focus now includes the Powder River Basin (Wyoming) and a new natural gas play in southern Texas that the firm has christened “Dorado.”

Due to the combination of its size and focus, EOG has significantly more shale wells under its belt than most peers. This has enabled it to advance more quickly up the learning curve in each play. As a result, initial production rates from new wells are usually well above industry averages. The firm’s acreage contains over 10,000 potential drilling locations that management designates as “premium.” However, management is now prioritizing a sizable subset, 5,700+ locations, designated “double premium.” 

Financial Strength

Overall, EOG’s financial health is excellent compared with peers, giving it the ability to tolerate prolonged periods of weak commodity prices, if necessary. The firm holds about $5.1 billion of debt, resulting in below-average leverage ratios. At the end of the most recent reporting period, debt/capital was 20% and net debt/EBITDA was 0.2 times. These metrics are likely to trend even lower over time, as the firm is capable of generating more cash than it needs to fund its operations and its growing dividend under a wide range of commodity scenarios. Furthermore, the firm also has a comfortable liquidity stockpile, with $3 billion cash and another $2 billion available on its undrawn revolver.

Bull Says

  • EOG is among the most technically proficient operators in the business. Initial production rates from its shale wells consistently exceed industry averages.
  • EOG’s vast inventory of premium drilling locations provides a long runway of low-cost resources.
  • EOG often adds new premium drilling opportunities to its queue via exploration or by using improved knowhow and technology to “upgrade” opportunities that did not previously qualify.

Company Profile

EOG Resources Inc (NYSE: EOG) is an oil and gas producer with acreage in several U.S. shale plays, including the Permian Basin, the Eagle Ford, and the Bakken. At the end of 2020, it reported net proved reserves of 3.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Net production averaged 754 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2020 at a ratio of 72% oil and natural gas liquids and 28% natural gas.

 (Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

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Commodities Trading Ideas & Charts

Ameren’s Renewable Energy Transition and Improving Regulation Support Long-Term Growth

With improving regulatory environments come significant investment opportunities, as seen with the company’s most recent $17.1 billion five-year plan. Ameren has its sights set on $23 billion of opportunities during the next decade, providing a long runway of growth for the company. Management is to be applauded for attaining constructive utility legislation in Missouri. Its patient yet persistent years-long efforts resulted in increased investment opportunities across the territory, a stark change from the past. Numerous trackers are in place for fuel adjustments, pension, and tax positions.

With an improved regulatory framework in Missouri, management is keeping its promise to invest in jurisdictions that support investment. Ameren is allocating $8.5 billion of its investment plan to Missouri. Projects will focus on renewable energy, upgrading aging and underperforming assets, and employing smart grids and connected grid services. Ameren has build-to-transfer agreements for 700 megawatts of wind generation in Missouri. The $1.2 billion investment complies with Missouri’s renewable energy standard. Ameren is also looking to install 100 MW of solar by 2027. Ameren will close roughly 3 gigawatts of coal generation by 2036 and expects to have no coal generation by 2045. Regulation for Ameren in Illinois is constructive. Allowed returns on equity are 580 basis points above the average 30-year U.S. Treasury yield. Ameren continues to advocate for the Illinois Downstate Clean Energy Affordability Act, which would improve allowed returns and extend performance ratemaking.

Ameren’s Future Outlook 

We assume Ameren will have $17.1 billion of capital expenditures between 2021 and 2025. We expect the company to issue debt in line with its current capital structure and refinance its debt as it comes due. Ameren’s dividend is up 10% from the year-ago period. We expect future dividend growth to be more in line with earnings growth. Ameren has tended to be at the lower end of its 55%-70% dividend payout target. We view Ameren’s current financial health as sound. The firm’s 56% debt/capitalization ratio is in line with its utility peers. Interest coverage is a healthy 6.0 times, and current debt/EBITDA is near 5.0.

Bulls Say’s 

  • Ameren’s regulated utilities provide a stable source of earnings. The company’s large capital expenditure plan should drive above-average rate base and earnings growth for the next several years.
  • Ameren’s regulatory relationships have improved significantly in Missouri.
  • Ameren’s management team has proved to be bestin- class operators, having diligently worked to improve regulatory relationships and execute on substantial growth projects.

Company Profile 

Ameren owns rate-regulated generation, transmission, and distribution networks that deliver electricity and natural gas in Missouri and Illinois. It serves nearly 2.5 million electricity customers and roughly 1.0 million natural gas customers.

(Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

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Commodities Trading Ideas & Charts

Murphy Prioritizing Balance Sheet Strengthening While Commodity Prices Are Support

which was 10% higher sequentially and 1% higher year over year. Net production, excluding non controlling interest volumes from the firm’s Gulf of Mexico assets, was 171 mboe/d. This exceeded the high end of the guidance range of 160-168 mboe/d. Management attributed the outperformance to its Eagle Ford and Tupper Montney assets, which contributed 3.7 mboe/d and 2 mboe/ d, respectively, of upside relative to guidance.

The firm’s outlook for full-year volumes was nudged up by 0.5 mboe/ d, and the budget range was tightened, but the midpoint was unchanged. The firm’s financial results were similarly strong, with adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS coming in at $391 million and $0.59, respectively. 

Company’s Future Outlook

The estimates were $321 million and $0.17. Like many of its peers, Murphy is using the windfall from currently high commodity prices to strengthen its balance sheet. The firm has repaid its revolver in full and is now aiming for a further $200 million in net debt reduction by the end of the year. It is planned to incorporate these operating and financial results in our model shortly, but after this first look, our fair value estimate and no-moat rating remain unchanged.

Company Profile

Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE: MUR) is an independent exploration and production company developing unconventional resources in the United States and Canada. At the end of 2020, the company reported net proven reserves of 715 million barrels of oil equivalent. Consolidated production averaged 174.5 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2020, at a ratio of 66% oil and natural gas liquids and 34% natural gas.

 (Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

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Commodities Trading Ideas & Charts

Boosting Our Oneok Fair Value Estimate to $49 Following Second-Quarter Results

our fair value estimate to $49 per share. Oneok’s second quarter clearly shows the firm benefiting from a recovery in volumes across its footprint after the COVID-19- driven decline last year as well as numerous new assets placed in service.

Given the strong results, Oneok boosted its 2021 EBITDA guidance to above its earlier midpoint of $3.2 billion, and toward our current forecast of $3.3 billion. Second-quarter EBITDA was $802 million, a 50% increase from last year’s levels. The largest contributor to its earnings improvement is a recovery in Rockies volumes, as well as higher realized commodity pricing on its gathering contracts with a percentage of proceeds component. Rockies volumes across its footprint have recovered over 85% since the second quarter of 2020 to nearly 300,000 barrels per day, or bpd, and Oneok still has 440,000 bpd of capacity, expandable to 540,000 bpd with minimal capital spending.

Every 25,000 bpd of Rockies volumes is worth another $100 million in Oneok EBITDA. Oneok remains well positioned to capture new opportunities in the Williston basin. The gas/oil ratio has improved 80% over the last year in the Williston basin, leading to a substantial recovery in gas production. Oneok’s second-quarter gas processing volumes were about 1.25 billion cubic feet per day, and the firm expects to connect more than 300 wells to its footprint this year.

The increased connections point to incremental upside of about 150 million cubic feet per day of processing volumes. Reducing flaring to zero across Oneok’s footprint adds another 100 million cubic feet per day. Beyond that, simply holding the current oil rig count flat in the Williston basin suggests another 1 billion cubic feet per day of upside in overall gas volumes over the next decade per Oneok estimates.

Company Profile 

ONEOK, Inc. is an energy midstream service provider in the United States. The Company owns and operates natural gas liquids (NGL) systems, and is engaged in the gathering, processing, storage and transportation of natural gas. THe Company’s operations include a 38,000-mile integrated network of NGL and natural gas pipelines, processing plants, fractionators and storage facilities in the Mid-Continent, Williston, Permian and Rocky Mountain regions. The Company operates through three business segments. The Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment provides midstream services to contracted producers in North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma.

(Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

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Commodities Trading Ideas & Charts

Consolidated Edison Reports Weak Q2 Due to Adverse Weather Events but Reaffirms Earnings Guidance

Adjusted EPS in the recently ended quarter were $0.53 versus $0.60 in the same period last year. Earnings in the second quarter were negatively impacted by several heat waves in June. Con Ed mobilizes crews in anticipation of weather events, resulting in significant extra costs even when the weather events end up not being as serious as anticipated.

Our 2021 adjusted EPS estimate of $4.25 is unchanged and at the midpoint of management’s $4.15-$4.35 EPS guidance range. Management increased its 2023 rate base guidance by $135 million due to the approval of a new transmission line. The increase in projected rate base would result in about a $0.01 increase in our 2023 EPS estimate but would not have a material impact on our fair value estimate.

Con Ed’s regulatory allowed returns are lower than industry average, but the overall regulatory rate structures in New York remain constructive. Multi-year rate cases provide forward-looking estimates of capital expenditures and rate base, swallowing Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Con Ed’s largest subsidiary, to consistently earn near or above its 8.8% allowed return on equity.

Company Profile 

Con Ed is a holding company for Consolidated Edison Company of New York, or CECONY, and Orange & Rockland, or O&R. These utilities provide steam, natural gas, and electricity to customers in southeastern New York–including New York City–and small parts of New Jersey. The two utilities generate roughly 90% of Con Ed’s earnings. The other 10% of earnings comes from investments in renewable energy projects and gas and electric transmission. These investments have resulted in Con Ed becoming the second-largest owner of utility-scale PV solar capacity in the U.S.

(Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

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Currencies Trading Ideas & Charts

Coinbase Global Benefits from more Interest and Adoption of Cryptocurrency, but the Future Remains Unknown

Golden bitcoins. Cryptocurrency on computer motherboard.

The company’s reputation, regulatory compliance, and track record as a custodian have allowed it to maintain transaction fees above many of its peers despite operating in a crowded field with hundreds of competing firms trying to grab market share in the rapidly growing space. Coinbase has continued to branch off into adjacent businesses offering cryptocurrency collateralized loans, a crypto debit card, blockchain infrastructure support, and data analytics services.

While these new businesses expand the company’s presence in the cryptocurrency space and add new revenue streams, the company still earns the majority of its income through the transaction fees traders pay when they trade on Coinbase’s platform. These fees are charged as a percentage of trade’s total value. Due to its breadth of its service offerings and the connection between cryptocurrency prices and trading revenue, Coinbase’s short- and long-term results are deeply tied to the health and growth of cryptocurrencies as an asset class. 

Cryptocurrency adoption continues to rise but questions regarding the long-term viability of cryptocurrency, the role of speculation in current market prices, and the potential for a more hostile regulatory environment remain unanswered.

Financial Strength 

Coinbase is in an excellent financial position, particularly after receiving an influx of capital from private-investment- in-public-equity investors coinciding with its direct listing on the Nasdaq exchange. Coinbase saw a spike in trading volume in the first quarter of 2021, leading the company to generate more net income in the first quarter of the year than in the entirety of 2020. As a result, the company ended March 2021 with nearly $2 billion in cash against only $500 million in borrowed crypto assets. Since March, Coinbase has issued $1.25 in convertible debt due in 2026, adding to both its liquidity reserves and its debt load. The decision to keep Coinbase largely free of debt makes sense given how volatile the company’s revenue generation can be. Coinbase needs to keep sufficient financial reserves to sustain itself in the event of a major market collapse.

No-moat Coinbase reported strong second-quarter results with earnings of $6.42 per share and net revenue of $2.23 billion coming in above our expectations. Earnings benefited from a tax benefit of $737 million as a result of tax deductions associated with the company’s direct listing. Strong cryptocurrency prices during the quarter drove total trading volume to a new all-time high of $462 billion, 38% more than last quarter. Coinbase added 29 new cryptocurrencies to be traded on its platform and now lists 83 different offerings. Coinbase continues to increase spending with operating expenses increasing 66% from last quarter and 838% year over year. As a result of the sharp sequential increase in operating expenses the company’s operating margin fell from roughly 55% in the first quarter to 39% in the current quarter.

The two largest drivers of this decline were technology and development spending, which increased 58%, sequentially and marketing spending, which increased 66%. Historically, Coinbase has kept marketing spending at 10% or less of sales, as it relied more heavily on word of mouth than on advertising to grow. The company is now guiding marketing expenses to be around 12%-15% of sales during 2021. Average retail trading fees increased from 1.21% in the first quarter to 1.26% in the second quarter, due to a mix shift away from the company’s less expensive Coinbase Pro platform. 

Bulls Say’s

  • Coinbase has established itself as the leading U.S.cryptocurrency exchange and established a strong reputation for security in an industry filled with risk for traders.
  • Coinbase has been able to accelerate the rate at which it lists new cryptocurrencies, giving the company more exposure to the growth of the asset class.
  • There is a global market for cryptocurrency. Regulatory approval from international regulators will allow Coinbase to expand its operations and increase its footprint globally.

Company Profile 

Founded in 2012, Coinbase is the leading cryptocurrency exchange platform in the United States. The company intends to be the safe and regulation-compliant point of entry for retail investors and institutions into the cryptocurrency economy. Users can establish an account directly with the firm, instead of using an intermediary, and many choose to allow Coinbase to act as a custodian for their cryptocurrency, giving the company breadth beyond that of a traditional financial exchange. While the company still generates the majority of its revenue from transaction fees charged to its retail customers, Coinbase uses internal investment and acquisitions to expand into adjacent businesses, such as prime brokerage, data analytics, and collateralized lending.

(Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

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Commodities Trading Ideas & Charts

Hess Corporation (NYSE: HES) Fair Value Up to $72 after Commodity Price Refresh

It is now assumed that oil (West Texas Intermediate) prices in 2021 and 2022 will average $57 per barrel and $67/bbl respectively (previously $55 and $57). That makes the stock look more or less fairly valued at the current price.

At the end of 2020, the company reported net proved reserves of 1.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Net production averaged 323 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2020, at a ratio of 70% oil and natural gas liquids and 30% natural gas.

The valuation of the firm’s Guyana assets continues to assume 10 total phases of development, consistent with management commentary. However, we risk the sixth and seventh phases at 75% and the final three at 50% in our base case. Likewise, 220 mb/d capacities for stages 4 and 5, with 180 mb/d peak output for developments 6-10. To give some indication of the upside if Hess and its partner Exxon can continue to execute and deliver the full 10 phases, we also model a scenario with no risk on the later-stage developments, and assume 220 mb/d capacities throughout. In that scenario fair value would be $89 per share.

Company Profile

Hess Corporation (NYSE: HES) is an independent oil and gas producer with key assets in the Bakken Shale, Guyana, the Gulf of Mexico, and Southeast Asia. Hess Corporation is a mining and exploration firm. The Company is involved in the exploration, development, production, transportation, procurement, and sale of crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL), and natural gas, with operations in the United States, Guyana, the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area, Malaysia, and Denmark. Exploration and Production and Midstream are the Company’s segments. It’s Exploration and Production sector searches for, develops, produces, buys, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs. The Midstream business provides fee-based services such as crude oil and natural gas gathering, natural gas processing and fractionation of NGLs, crude oil transportation by rail car, terminating and loading crude oil and NGLs.

(Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

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Commodities Trading Ideas & Charts

Duke Energy Corp’s (NYSE: DUK) Increase in FVE to $99 per share After 2nd Quarters Earnings

In North Carolina, Duke’s largest service territory, we view the regulatory framework as average and continue to expect Duke will receive support for its investments in the state. In early 2021, regulators approved Duke’s settlement agreement that resolves historical recovery of coal ash costs and provides clarity on future recovery.  Indiana remains constructive. Regulators approved a peer-average allowed return on equity. The subsidiary is allowed recovery for investments for renewable energy and recovery on and of investments for coal ash remediation, with a forward-looking test year. 

Management recently entered into an agreement to sell 19.9% of the entity at an attractive valuation. Duke’s $60 billion, five-year capital investment plan is focused on clean energy, as the company works toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and net-zero methane emissions by 2030. Management notes growth opportunities beyond its five-year forecast, noting expectations for $65 billion to $75 billion of capital expenditures helping to support 7% annual rate base growth. Management is transitioning Duke away from coal generation. The company, which has among the largest coal fleets in the industry, aims to reduce its coal fleet by up to 70% and install up to 20 gig watts of renewable energy by 2030, depending on the outcome of its Carolina Integrated Resource Plan.

Financial Strength

Duke Energy Corp’s (NYSE: DUK) Increase in FVE to $99 per share after 2nd quarter earnings. We expect $60 billion of capital investment over the next five years. The company has manageable long-term debt maturities. Plans to sell a minority interest in Duke Energy Indiana helps reduce equity needs to fund this plan.  Duke has ample cash liquidity and borrowing capacity available under its master revolving credit facility. We believe Duke’s dividend is well covered with its regulated utilities’ earnings. Our expectations for 3.5% average annual dividend growth will represent a 70% payout based on our 2025 earnings estimate. Duke’s liquidity position and cash flow generation should give investors confidence that it can maintain and grow its dividend.

Bull Says

  • Duke’s regulated utilities provide a stable source of earnings. The company’s large capital expenditure plan should drive rate base and earnings growth for the next several years. We think management’s 5% to 7% earnings growth target from 2021 to 2025 is achievable. 
  • The company operates in mostly constructive regulatory jurisdictions, which account for most of the company’s revenue. 
  • Duke’s management team has focused on core regulated operations and growth investments.

Company Profile

Duke Energy Corp (NYSE: DUK) is one of the largest U.S. utilities, with regulated utilities in the Carolinas, Indiana, Florida, Ohio, and Kentucky that deliver electricity and gas to more than 7 million customers. Duke operates in three major segments: electric utilities and infrastructure; gas utilities and infrastructure; and commercial renewable.

 (Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.