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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)

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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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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)

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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)

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Viper Energy Partners (NASDAQ: VNOM) Acquires Attractive Acreage for $500 Million from Swallowtail

investment stockbroker risk analysis. Financial analysis using phone app and laptop. Market trading profit.

The deal is a $500 million cash and stock (55% stock, 45% cash) purchase of 2,302 net royalty acres in the Midland basin from Swallowtail Royalties, a private mineral rights firm where its acreage deals are financed by Blackstone funds. The price on a per acre basis is at over $200,000 per acre, roughly 80% higher than historical pricing and 40% higher than its last significant deal activity in May 2020.

Despite the high per-acre price, Viper has advantages, as 65% of the acres are operated by Diamondback with a net royalty rate of 3.6%. The value of the deal is demonstrated by the fact that Viper was able to offer a clear long-term growth trajectory for its Diamondback acres, substantially reducing uncertainty around future cash flows, but it wasn’t able to do the same for its non-Diamondback acres. 

The Diamondback development plan is essentially minimal production today to 1,000 barrels of oil per day (bo/d) in 2022 to over 5000 bo/d by 2024. We expect this path to generate a solid amount of value for Viper. 

Company’s Future Outlook

 At first glance, it is expected some modest upside to our fair value estimate, while maintaining our narrow moat rating. The deal is expected to be completed by the early fourth quarter, and expected post-deal leverage will be about 2 times, which we consider reasonable. Based on Diamondback’s current development plan, average net oil production in 2022 is expected to be over 1000 bo/d and Production is expected to approach 5000 bo/d by 2024.

Company Profile

Viper Energy Partners (NASDAQ: VNOM) was formed by Diamondback Energy in 2014 to own mineral royalty interests in the Permian Basin. At the end of 2020, Viper owns 24,350 net royalty acres that produced 26,551 boe/d. Proved reserves are mostly oil, and at the end of 2019 stand at 99,392 mboe. Viper’s mineral and royalty interests give it significant exposure to perpetual ownership of high margin, primarily undeveloped assets with no capital requirements to generate its long-term free cash flow. Viper is a variable distribution partnership that is taxed like a corporation in the United States.

(Source: Morningstar)

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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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Alumina Ltd’s (ASX: AWC) Commodity Price Change

Alumina is effectively a forwarding office for AWAC profits. Its profits stem from its equity share in AWAC, less local head office and interest expenses. While AWAC enjoys a low operating cost position relative to its competitors, the cost curve is relatively flat, and competitive pressures exist via supply from China. Alumina was the result of a demerger of WMC’s aluminum assets in 2003. AWAC has substantial global bauxite reserves and alumina refining operations, many of which are in the lowest quartile of the cost curve.

Key Investment Consideration

We expect aluminum Ltd’s (ASX: AWC) demand to grow considerably in the future, with global consumption benefiting from transport’s electrification. Supply in China that is managed by state-owned enterprises will prove sticky, with little capacity being cut even if aluminums prices decrease considerably. Alumina’s production has declined over the past five years as it closed capacity in a bid to reduce costs. With no major expansions planned, the company will continue to operate in maintenance mode.

Financial strength

At end 2020, AWAC (Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals) had USD 361 million in net cash, marginally improved on 2019’s USD 340 million. And at end June 2021, Alumina had just position of USD 5.7 million in net debt, also marginally improved. Historically, AWAC reinvested heavily in its operations at the expense of dividend growth. We expect the company to remain largely in maintenance mode, with no major projects planned over the foreseeable future. Therefore, AWAC should pay out most if not all of its operating cash flows in the form of a dividend to Alumina Ltd. and Alcoa. This will help to maintain Alumina Ltd’s strong financial health. We expect AWAC to remain unleveraged and Alumina to remain modestly leveraged at worst.

Bull Says

  • Alumina is a beneficiary of continued global economic growth and increased demand for aluminum via electrification of transport.
  • AWAC is a low-cost alumina producer. It has improved its position on the cost curve relative to peers through expansion of low-cost refineries and closure of high cost operations.
  • The amended AWAC agreement ensures that Alumina will be able to maximize value for shareholders and makes it a more attractive acquisition target.

Company Profile

Alumina Ltd. (ASX: AWC) is a forwarding office for Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals’ distributions. Its profit is a 40% equity share of AWAC profit, less head office and interest expenses. Its cash flow consists of AWAC distributions. AWAC investments include substantial global bauxite reserves and alumina refining operations. Declining capital and operating costs and a lack of supply discipline from China are likely to result in competitive pressures, but Alumina’s position in the lowest quartile of the industry cost curve is defensive.

 (Source: Morningstar)

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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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Williams’ Deepwater Whale Project One of Several High-Return Growth Opportunities

 The 2018 consolidation of William Partners strengthened Williams’ financial position and lowered its cost of capital. With nearly half of its earnings and cash flow coming from rate-regulated gas pipelines, Williams increasingly looks more like a utility than an energy company. Williams delivered steady performance through turbulent energy markets the last two years, relying on its largely fee-based, long-term contracted revenue and strategically well-positioned assets.

Most of Williams’ growth investment will be directed toward Transco expansions and projects to reduce carbon emissions. Transco capacity will reach 20 bcf/d by 2023 from 10 bcf/d in 2014 and continue to grow as natural gas demand in the eastern U.S. grows. With more than 100 bcf/d in interconnects and regulatory hurdles for competing projects, Transco faces no major competitive threats.

Williams’ other businesses are demonstrating their favorable competitive positions with steady results through volatile energy markets. The Northeast gathering and processing business has a captive customer base in low-cost producing regions. The Northwest pipeline benefits from steady demand from utilities and supply from producers in the Western U.S. Williams is growing and improving the competitive position of its other assets through upstream partnerships.

Financial Strength

Williams has strengthened its balance sheet and dividend coverage in recent years. Its improved credit profile and long-term, fixed-fee contract structures gives Williams financial flexibility to pursue growth investment opportunities, grow the dividend, keep the balance sheet strong, and possibly repurchase shares starting in 2022. 

Williams has raised its dividend to $1.64 in 2021 from $1.20 in 2017 while strengthening its balance sheet. The 2018 consolidation of Williams Partners and elimination of incentive distribution rights resulted in a shadow dividend cut of about 17% for former Williams Partners unitholders.

The flip side was an improved credit profile, higher dividend coverage, and ability to invest in growth without issuing equity. Williams remains engaged in litigation with Energy Transfer over its $1.5 billion payment due to Energy Transfer for its alleged breach of the merger agreement. Williams is seeking damages from Energy Transfer as well and to date has not reserved anything for the $1.5 billion potential payment.

Bulls Say’s 

  • A large, well-positioned network allows Williams to invest in high-return growth projects with minimal regulatory hurdles.
  • After several years of structural and financial moves, Williams is positioned to maintain steady dividend growth for the foreseeable future.
  • Williams is leveraged to U.S. LNG exports via agreements with LNG terminals as a key supplier of gas.

Company Profile 

Williams is a midstream energy company that owns and operates the large Transco and Northwest pipeline systems and associated natural gas gathering, processing, and storage assets. In August 2018, the firm acquired the remaining 26% ownership of its limited partner, Williams Partners.

(Source: Morningstar)

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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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NRG Energy Continues Its Move towards Consumer Services Business Model

The company remains on track to meet our full-year outlook, which includes an estimated $1 billion gross negative impact from winter storm Uri in mid-February, in line with management’s guidance. Our fair value estimate includes a $2 per share reduction to reflect storm losses partially offset by near-term cost-savings benefits and long-term benefits from changes in Texas energy markets that should favor NRG.

After closing the $3.625 billion Direct Energy deal in January and several moves to shrink its power generation fleet, NRG is on a path toward becoming primarily a retail energy services company rather than an independent power producer. It already ranks among the largest retail electricity and natural gas companies in the U.S. and plans to expand its customer base in areas outside its core Texas market. Although this strategic shift changes NRG’s fundamental value drivers, we still don’t think it can establish a long-term competitive advantage that would warrant an economic moat.

Management reaffirmed its $2.4 billion-$2.6 billion EBITDA guidance excluding storm impacts for 2021, in line with our estimate. Management has pulled back substantially on its debt reduction plan and now targets $255 million of debt reduction this year, down from its pre-storm plan to retire $1.05 billion of debt this year. share buybacks and dividend growth will become top capital allocation options in 2022 as NRG pushes back its timeline for achieving investmentgrade credit ratings.

Company Profile 

NRG Energy is one of the largest retail energy providers in the U.S., with 7 million customers, including its 2021 acquisition of Direct Energy. It also is one of the largest U.S. independent power producers, with 22 gigawatts of nuclear, coal, gas, and oil power generation capacity primarily in Texas. Since 2018, NRG has divested its 47% stake in NRG Yield, among other renewable energy and conventional generation investments. NRG exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a stand-alone entity in December 2003.

(Source: Morningstar)

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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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Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) Continue To Be Expensive, But There Are Still Pockets Of Value To Be Found.

 Revenue, profit, and market capitalization all grew significantly, but are expected to rely more heavily on lithium production going forward. Management has significantly improved disclosure, earnings streams have been materially diversified and the investment strategy has consistently generated high returns on invested capital. We expect a well-supplied lithium market in the longer term, coupled with weaker demand growth for steel, particularly from China, to drive lower prices and reduce the pool of available contracting work. Despite this, we think Mineral Resources can drive EPS growth on volume.

Key Investment Considerations

Management has significantly improved disclosure, earnings streams have been materially diversified and the investment strategy has consistently generated high returns on invested capital. We think the business model is demonstrably sustainable, centering on Mining Services around Australian bulk commodities. Mineral Resources will selectively own and develop its own mining operations, though with the aim of subsequent sell-down while retaining core processing and screening rights.

Financial Strength

Mineral Resources is in strong financial health. Albemarle’s acquisition of a 60% stake in Wodgina lithium instantly expunged net debt in first-half fiscal 2020.From a net debt position of AUD 872 million at end June 2019. Lithium project construction expenditure was at the core of the cash drain. The current circumstance is a return to the usual territory for Mineral Resources, which operated in a position of little to no net debt for at least the eight years to fiscal 2018; a sensible position for a company operating in the volatile mining services space. Mineral Resources had faced the key question of what it should do with its cash, with a shrinking pool of growth and investment opportunities in a lower iron ore price environment. 

Bull Says

  • Mineral Resources grew strongly since listing in 2006. The chairman and managing director have been with the business for over a decade and have meaningful shareholdings.
  • Australian iron ore is mainly purchased by Chinese steel producers, meaning Mineral Resources offers leveraged exposure to Chinese economic growth.
  • Mineral Resources has a recurring base of revenue and earnings from processing infrastructure.
  • Mineral Resources’ balance sheet is very strong with net cash. This has opened up the opportunity for lithium investments selling into highly receptive markets.

Company Profile

Mineral Resources Ltd. (ASX: MIN) listed on the ASX in 2006 following the merger of three mining services businesses. The subsidiary companies were previously owned by managing director Chris Ellison, who remains a large shareholder despite selling down. Operations include iron ore and lithium mining, iron ore crushing and screening services for third parties, and engineering and construction for mining companies. Mining and contracting activity is focused in Western Australia.

 (Source: Morningstar)

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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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Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET) on Track for Blockbuster 2021, but Capital Allocation Is a Risk

Management reaffirmed its full-year $12.9 billion to $13.3 billion adjusted EBITDA guidance, and our estimate remains at the high end of that range. This includes the $2.4 billion EBITDA benefit from the mid-February winter storm. Energy Transfer’s limited partner unit’s trade at a 50% discount to our fair value estimate as of Aug. 3, making it one of the cheapest companies in the energy sector.

Earnings growth in the natural gas liquids and refined products segment continues to lead the way, making that segment the largest earnings contributor on a run-rate basis. This is in line with our expectations as volumes ramp up from favorable market conditions and new projects online. Second-quarter earnings in Energy Transfer’s other segments rebounded from last year when energy market shit a bottom at the height of the COVID pandemic. Capital allocation remains a key variable after Energy Transfer achieved investment-grade credit ratings with $5.2 billion of debt reduction this year. 

Company’s Future Outlook

We expect little growth in these segments going forward due to unfavorable reconstructing prices and lack of organic investment potential. Management reaffirmed their plan for $500 million to $700 million annual growth investment in 2022 and 2023, in line with our estimate. We think Energy Transfer is inclined to make more acquisitions like its $7 billion Enable deal that should close by year-end. Management has discussed midstream consolidation and downstream investments. We believe unit buybacks would be the most value-accretive use of capital. The board maintained its $0.61 annualized distribution, as we expected.

Company Profile

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET)  owns a large platform of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquid assets primarily in Texas and the U.S. midcontinent region. Its pipeline network transports about 22 trillion British thermal unit per day of natural gas and 4.3 million barrels per day of crude oil. It also has gathering and processing facilities, one of the largest fractionation facilities in the U.S., and fuel distribution. Energy Transfer also owns the Lake Charles gas liquefaction facility. It combined its publicly traded limited and general partnerships in October 2018.

(Source: Morningstar)

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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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Santos and Oil Search Agree Merger Terms

Well-timed East Australian coal seam gas purchases and subsequent partial sell-downs bolstered the balance sheet and set the scene for liquid natural gas, or LNG, exports. Santos is now one of Australia’s largest coal seam gas producers and continues to prove additional reserves. It is the country’s largest domestic gas supplier.

Coal seam gas purchases increased reserves, and partial sell-downs generated cash profits, putting Santos on solid ground to improve performance. Group proven and probable, or 2P, reserves doubled to 1,400 mmboe, primarily East Australian coal seam gas. Coal seam gas has grown to represent more than 40% of group 2P reserves, despite partial equity sell-downs. A degree of confidence can be drawn from project partners. U.S. energy supermajor ExxonMobil, the world’s largest publicly traded oil and gas company, is 42% owner and the operator of the PNG LNG project.

The Gladstone LNG project was built and is operated by GLNG Operations, a joint venture of owners Santos (30%), Petronas (27.5%), Total (27.5%), and Kogas (15%). Petronas is Malaysia’s national oil and gas company and the world’s second-largest LNG exporter. The company increasingly enjoys export pricing on its gas. In addition to Santos’ Gladstone LNG, several other third-party east-coast LNG projects conspire to drive domestic gas prices higher. As the largest domestic gas supplier, Santos can expect significant bang for its buck, with limited additional capital or operating cost required to capture enhanced prices.

Financial Strength

Santos has moderate leverage (ND/ND+E) of 28% and maintenance of strong net operating cash flow is reassuring. Santos’ debt covenants have adequate headroom and are not under threat at current oil prices. The weighted average term to maturity is around 5.5 years. Capital expenditure of USD 4.0 billion, beginning 2022 on the Dorado oil project and the Barossa to Darwin LNG upgrade. But this is excellent near-term bang-for-buck expenditure, increasing group production by 65% to 125mmboe by 2026. Capital efficient development and fast up-front cash flows from Dorado’s oil should combine to ensure Santos’ leverage ratios continue to decline from current levels despite outgoings.

Bull’s Say

  • Santos is a beneficiary of continued global economic growth and increased demand for energy. Aside from coal, gas has been the fastest-growing primary energy segment globally. The traded gas segment is expanding faster still.
  • Santos is in a strong position, with 0.9 billion barrels of oil equivalent proven and probable reserves, predominantly gas, conveniently located on the doorstep of key Asian markets.
  • Gas has about half the carbon intensity of coal, and stands to gain market share in the generation segment and elsewhere as carbon taxes are rolled out.

Company Profile

Santos was founded in 1954. The company’s name is an acronym for South Australia Northern Territory Oil Search. The first Cooper Basin gas discovery came in 1963, with initial supplies in 1969. Santos became a major enterprise, though over-reliance on the Cooper Basin, along with the Moomba field’s inexorable decline, saw it struggle to maintain relevance in the first decade of the 21st century. However, the stage has been set for a renaissance via conversion of coal seam gas into LNG in Queensland and conventional gas to LNG in PNG.

(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.