Here’s our Pick of the Month for November – Zargon Energy Trust

Article Excerpt

ZARGON ENERGY TRUST $18.07 (Toronto symbol ZAR.UN; SI Rating: Speculative) (403-264-9992; www.zargon.ca; Units outstanding: 23.0 million; Market cap: $415.4 million) produces oil and gas in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and North Dakota. In the three months ended June 30, 2009, Zargon’s production rose 3.0%, to 9,520 barrels of oil equivalent per day (this measurement includes natural gas) from 9,239 barrels. The company’s output is weighted 50% toward natural gas and 50% to oil. This diversification between gas and oil helps cut Zargon’s risk. Despite the higher production, Zargon’s cash flow per share fell 41.3%, to $0.91 from $1.55 a year earlier. Lower oil and gas prices were the reason for the drop. The trust’s $70.4-million long-term debt is just 16.9% of its market cap. It pays out only around 54% of its cash flow as distributions, and yields 12.0%. Ottawa will start taxing income trusts in 2011. At that point, Zargon plans to convert into a dividend-paying corporation. It then expects to pay out…