A Record Year for MLP IPOs

There were 14 MLP IPOs in 2007. Until this year, that was the record, but so far in 2013 there have been 15 MLP IPOs with perhaps more to come before year end. One of the more recent IPOs was Sprague Resources (NYSE: SRLP), which debuted on Oct. 25.

Sprague Resources is engaged in the purchase, storage, distribution and sale of refined petroleum products. The partnership also provides storage and handling services for a broad range of materials. Sprague is one of the largest independent wholesale distributors of refined products in the Northeast US, owning and/or operating a network of 15 terminals located throughout the Northeast. These have a combined storage capacity of  9.1 million barrels for refined products and other liquid materials, and 1.5 million square feet of materials handling capacity.

Sprague Resources operations map

Location of Sprague Resources LP’s terminals. Source: SRLP SEC filing

In the IPO, Sprague sold 8.5 million common units initially priced at $18, but the price has slipped since. The partnership forecasts a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.4125 per unit, or $1.65 per unit annually. As the most recent closing price of $17.60, that translates into a minimum annual yield of 9.4 percent.

Arc Logistics Partners (NYSE: ARCX) opened for trading on Nov. 6. This midstream partnership was formed by Lightfoot Capital to own, operate, develop and acquire a diversified portfolio of complementary energy logistics assets. The partnership is engaged in the terminalling, storage, throughput and transloading of crude oil and petroleum products. It intends to grow the business through the optimization, organic development and acquisition of terminalling, storage, rail, pipeline and other energy logistics assets that generate stable cash flows.

The 6 million common unit IPO opened flat at $19. ARCX plans to pay a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.3875 per unit each quarter, or $1.55 on an annualized basis. At the recent closing price of $19.04, this translates into an annual yield of 8.1 percent.

Midcoast Energy Partners (NYSE: MEP) is an Enbridge Energy Partners (NYSE: EEP)-backed LP that went public on Nov. 7. The partnership is a pure-play US natural gas and NGL midstream business with a 39 percent controlling interest in Midcoast Operating, a limited partnership that owns a network of natural gas and NGL gathering and transportation systems, natural gas processing and treating facilities and NGL fractionation facilities primarily located in Texas and Oklahoma. Midcoast Operating also owns and operates natural gas, condensate and NGL logistics and marketing assets that support its gathering, processing and transportation business.

The business primarily consists of gathering unprocessed and untreated natural gas from wellhead locations and other receipt points, processing the natural gas to remove NGLs and impurities at processing and treating facilities and transporting the processed natural gas and NGLs to intrastate and interstate pipelines for transportation to customers and market outlets. The partnership also markets natural gas and NGLs to wholesale customers.

The IPO raised $333 million by offering 18.5 million shares at $18. This was below the expected range of $19 to $21. MEP’s partnership agreement provides for a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.3125 per unit for each whole quarter, or $1.25 per unit on an annualized basis. At the recent closing price of $17.83 this equates to an annual yield of 7.0 percent.

The Refining MLP Bloodbath

I warned last week that refiners would report relatively poor earnings for Q3, and refinery MLPs could take a hit, presenting a buying opportunity. On Nov. 6 Alon USA Partners (NYSE: ALDW) reported a loss for the third quarter of $16.1 million, or ($0.26) per unit, compared with net income of $120.4 million for the same period last year. Paul Eisman, CEO and president, cited the deteriorating margins that I discussed in last week’s issue: “Our third quarter results were impacted by a volatile and deteriorating margin environment resulting primarily from decreasing discounts for West Texas crude oil.”

As a result, the partnership announced that there would be no money available for a quarterly distribution. Unit prices fell nearly 10 percent immediately after the earnings release, and continued to drift lower from there before today’s 9 percent rebound.

Calumet Specialty Products Partners (Nasdaq: CLMT) also reported a net loss for the quarter of $34.8 million, or ($0.54) per diluted unit, compared with net income of $42.4 million, or $0.69 per diluted unit, for the same quarter in 2012. Units traded down nearly 13 percent for the week.

Northern Tier Energy (NYSE:NTI) will report earnings this week. The partnership closed last week down less than 1 percent, but interested investors should find a cheaper entry point this week as earnings will undoubtedly be disappointing.

(Follow Robert Rapier on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.)

Portfolio Update

Full Speed Ahead for Navios

Dry bulk shipper Navios Maritime Partners (NYSE: NMM) has been the Aggressive Portfolio’s second-best performer over the last month, its unit price foaming 13 percent as quarterly results topped expectations.

EBITDA declined 17 percent year-over-year as lower charter rates more than offset fleet growth, but this year’s rally in the shipping rates promises more favorable comparisons ahead. In addition, the partnership announced a transformative acquisition of five container ships (its first venture into that category) under long-term leases that should provide an annual rate of return after taxes and debt repayment of 10 percent.

Pro-forma for the deal, the distribution coverage increased from 0.90 to 1.18 times, suggesting much greater security for a steady distribution currently yielding 10.9 percent. With next year’s distributions at the same level assured, management shifted its sights to higher payouts in the medium term.

It’s counting on demand for its relatively new and efficient ships to improve thanks to higher imports of iron ore, coal and grain by China and India. The container deal spurred upgrades to Buy from Wells Fargo, Stifel , and Global Hunter Securities. Stifel also set a $19 target.

We’re raising our buy below target for the second time in three months. Buy NMM below $17.70, the threshold for a double-digit current yield.

— Igor Greenwald

Stock Talk

Richard Wolfson

Richard Wolfson

What was the reason for the major sell-off of MWE??

Nigel Shackletonburton

Nigel Shackletonburton

Ive just joined hoe do you rate cheniere energy partners

Robert Rapier

Robert Rapier

I will feel much better about them when they are generating sufficient cash flow to cover their distribution. Once they actually start shipping out LNG, they should have a first mover advantage for several years. I would be more comfortable owning them at that point, but the unit price may have risen sharply in anticipation.

Nigel Shackletonburton

Nigel Shackletonburton

Hi thanks for your reply. im a brit retired in Thailand for last 8yrs I did join energy advantage 2 months ago ie Dr Kent
Moors and his inner circle. I joined your subscription because I wanted experts in the field of MLPS which you obviously are to me Dr kent is general in oil and gas. im looking next year to invest 200000 doll in MLPS that’s why I joined I have no experience so would appreciate some advice what MLPS invest in. I would maybe invest in 2 at 100000 doll each so would appreciate some advice. I understand what your comment was about Cheniere Energy Partners ie cash flow to cover their distribution but what I don’t understand that what you are saying reading between the lines your saying when they start to export LNG GAS in 2015 their shares will be to expensive.sorry that does not
make sense surely that’s what you want dividend plus growth of shares. so would appreciate a fuller understanding thanks

Robert Rapier

Robert Rapier

Hi Nigel,

My concern about Cheniere is that investors are so exuberant that units are likely to be overvalued in my view, and that situation will likely persist. That poses an extra risk for MLP investors who are mostly conservative. There are safer investments that can provide a steady income stream. Cheniere is just a bit speculative for an MLP investment for most people in my opinion.

Tom Light

Tom Light

Robert-Good info- really helps me to try and keep up with what is happening in the industry-
I would very much appreciate a recommendation with the information- If you feel these new MLP’s represent a
good buying value or we should just be aware of them?
If you do recommend buying these new units a suggested buy price will also be appreciated.
Sincerely-
Tom

Robert Rapier

Robert Rapier

Tom, we aren’t recommending any at the moment, but if that advice changes there will be an alert with a buy price.

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