Topic: Energy Stocks

Two high-yielding producers poised to profit from natural gas rebound

Two high-yielding producers poised to profit from natural gas rebound

Natural gas prices are now at $3.58 U.S. per thousand cubic feet. That’s down from their high of almost $4.40 in April 2013 but well above the low of $1.82 in April 2012. Here are two high-yielding producers that we follow on behalf of the readers of Canadian Wealth Advisor.

ARC RESOURCES (Toronto symbol ARX; www.arcresources.com) produces oil and natural gas in Western Canada. The company’s average daily output of 93,436 barrels of oil equivalent (including gas) is weighted 61% to gas and 39% to oil.

In the three months ended June 30, 2013, cash flow per share rose 14.0%, to $0.65 from $0.57. Production fell slightly, but a 91.6% rise in gas prices more than offset the lower output.

ARC’s long-term debt is $755.0 million, or 9.2% of its market cap. The shares yield 4.6%.

The company is spending $830 million on exploration and development this year, up 29.7% from $640 million in 2012. ARC aims to end 2013 with production of 100,000 barrels a day.

Energy stocks: Drilling success increases production for Enerplus despite cuts in exploration and development

ENERPLUS CORP. (Toronto symbol ERF; www.enerplus.com) produces an average of 90,037 barrels of oil equivalent a day (54% gas and 46% oil).

The company’s properties are mainly in Alberta, Saskatchewan, B.C., North Dakota and Montana, as well as the Marcellus Shale, which passes through Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and West Virginia.

In the three months ended June 30, 2013 Enerplus’s cash flow per share rose 37.8%, to $1.02 from $0.74 a year earlier. Production increased 9.6%, oil prices gained 11.6% and gas prices jumped 79.6%.

Enerplus has cut its 2013 exploration and development budget by 19.7%, to $685 million from $853 million in 2012. The company expected this to slow its production growth, but drilling success at Marcellus has pushed its output higher.

Enerplus’s Marcellus production jumped 54.4% in the latest quarter, to 88 million cubic feet a day from 57 million cubic feet in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The company’s debt is $1.1 billion, or 32.4% of its market cap. Enerplus shares yield a high 6%.

In the latest issue of Canadian Wealth Advisor, we look at the long-term prospects for natural gas. We also examine the production and cash flow outlook for both ARC and Enerplus. We conclude with our clear buy-hold-sell advice on both stocks.

(Note: If you are a current subscriber to Canadian Wealth Advisor, please click here to view Pat’s recommendation. Be sure to log in first.)

COMMENTS PLEASE—Share your investment knowledge and opinions with fellow TSINetwork.ca members

With production up and prices down, natural gas producers would seem to be fighting an uphill battle. Have you had success with natural gas stocks? What made you pick the stocks that have done well for you? Have you held those stocks over time, or taken profits after a significant upswing in the price?

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