Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) have delivered a growth in their quarterly distributions since 2014 at an average coverage ratio of 1.25 in their latest quarterly results in Mar 2016 allaying concerns of distributions cuts by MLPs. (Source: Bloomberg, Individual MLP websites)
The sustainability of the revenue stream of MLPs when compared to oil companies amidst the backdrop of volatile oil prices, highlights that MLPs would have offered a more resilient exposure to the energy sector.
On analysing Distribution Coverage and EV/EBITDA, we believe MLPs offer an attractive value proposition.
MLPs recent price performance is as a result of negative sentiment transpiring from equity markets and oil price volatility, evidenced by rising correlation 0.85 and 0.63 respectively. (Source: Bloomberg, ETF Securities) [correlation of monthly returns over 5 years]
TICKER: MLPI LN Accessing the US Energy Revolution
Valuation
2016 expected distribution yield is 7.14% (Source: Bloomberg, ETF Securities)
The majority of MLPs in our index have a distribution coverage above 1 which supports the case for sufficient cash flows available to pay distributions.
Weighted average distribution paid in Q4 2015 have risen on average by 15% over the prior quarter despite the heightened concerns on the sustainability of distributions. In comparison the funds available for distribution have increased by 25% leaving a margin of 10% as a cushion for future distributions.
Historically we have witnessed MLPs increase debt levels during periods of favourable valuation. However in 2014, despite valuations EV/EBITDA reaching their peaks, MLPs have not raised debt as aggressively as done in the past rendering them in a stronger balance sheet position.
(Click to enlarge) Source: Bloomberg, ETF Securities, Company websites
(Click to enlarge) Source: Bloomberg, ETF Securities (Based on current basket historical data to mitigate survivorship bias)
(Click to enlarge) Source: Bloomberg, ETF Securities (Based on current basket historical data to mitigate survivorship bias)
Performance
Solactive continues to outperform its peers due to midstream focus and equal weighting methodology
Solactive has outperformed crude oil over the past 5 years
MLPs offer an inflationhedge due their long-term contracts which are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and adjust to inflation annually (PPI), as well as distributions which adjust upwards according to changes in the CPI
(Click to enlarge) Source: ETF Securities, Bloomberg. The Solactive US Energy Infrastructure MLP Index is based on simulated data from 25 January 2011 to 4 March 2014 and actual data from 5 March 2014 to 31 March 2016.
(Click to enlarge) Source: ETF Securities, Bloomberg. The Solactive US Energy Infrastructure MLP Index is based on simulated data from 25 January 2011 to 4 March 2014 and actual data from 5 March 2014 to 31 March 2016.
(Click to enlarge) Source: ETF Securities, Bloomberg. The Yorkville MLP Infrastructure Universe Index TR is based on simulated data from 31 December 1996 to 15 February 2012 and actual data from 16 February 2012 to 31 March 2016.
Index recomposition March 2016
• Following the index recomposition, the representation of General Partner (GPs) has increased from 7% to 17%. • Possible reasons: o Undervaluation – GPs had the largest 6-month drawdown (June 15 – Jan 16) which has meant a higher expected future distribution yield. o Alignment of interests – Owning GPs better align investors with management as most GPs own a stake (usually 2%) in their underlying LPs. o Incentive distribution rights (IDRs) – GPs hold IDRs which entitle them to an increasing share of the total distribution released by the LP to its unitholders (in spite of a mere 2% ownership). As LPs increase their distribution to unitholders, the GP’s distribution increases proportionally much faster, in accordance with a pre-set IDR schedule. At the highest tier of the IDR schedule, a GP – through its IDR ownership – may be receiving up to 50% of equivalent cash distributions made to LP unitholders. This is known as IDR leverage. Thus IDRs have the power to significantly enhance the cash distribution profile of GPs. (IDRs are explained below) • BAML Equity Research data shows that GPs have underperformed LPs on a total return basis but outperformed LPs on a cash distribution growthbasis.
(Click to enlarge) Source: BAML Equity Research
(Click to enlarge) Source: Bloomberg, ETF Securities (as at 17 April 2016)
Takeaways
The average distribution coverage across the index is 1.25 which is comfortably above 1 and reflects sufficient cash flow to meet cash distributions
The expected 2016 distribution yield is 7.14% backed by healthy fundamentals and oil price-resilient revenues (i.e. good cash flow)
MLPs offer a good inflationhedge with distributions often outpacing the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and pipeline contracts that adjust for inflation annually (Producer Price Index = PPI)
Funds for distribution are trading at a 10% premium to distributions paid so we may expect IDRs to gain value and give momentum to GP price performance
Important information
This communication has been provided by ETF Securities (UK) Limited (“ETFS UK”) which is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”).
This communication is only targeted at qualified or professional investors.
Den börshandlade produktens TER (total cost ratio) uppgår till 1,00 % p.a. Denna ETC replikerar resultatet för det underliggande indexet syntetiskt med en swap.
Denna ETC lanserades den 9 december 2022 och har sin hemvist i Tyskland.
Det betyder att det går att handla andelar i denna ETF genom de flesta svenska banker och Internetmäklare, till exempel DEGIRO, Nordnet, Aktieinvest och Avanza.
Goldman Sachs USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond Active UCITSETF CLASS USD (Dist) (GIGU ETF) med ISIN IE000RRCJI06, är en aktivt förvaltad ETF.
Den börshandlade fonden investerar i USD-denominerade företagsobligationer. Alla löptider ingår. Rating: Investment Grade.
ETFens TER (total expense ratio) uppgår till 0,25 % per år. Ränteintäkterna (kuponger) i ETFen delas ut till investerarna (halvårsvis).
Goldman Sachs USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond Active UCITSETF CLASS USD (Dist) är en mycket liten ETF med 19 miljoner euro under förvaltning. Denna lanserades den 21 januari 2025 och har sitt säte i Irland.
Mål
Delfonden strävar efter att uppnå en långsiktig avkastning genom att aktivt investera huvudsakligen i investment grade-denominerade räntebärande värdepapper i amerikanska dollar från företagsemittenter.
Riskprofil
Risk med villkorade konvertibla obligationer (”Coco”) – investeringar i denna specifika typ av obligation kan resultera i väsentliga förluster för delfonden baserat på vissa utlösande händelser. Förekomsten av dessa utlösande händelser skapar en annan typ av risk än traditionella obligationer och kan mer sannolikt resultera i en partiell eller total värdeförlust, eller alternativt kan de konverteras till aktier i det emitterande företaget som också kan ha lidit en värdeförlust.
Motpartsrisk– en part som delfonden gör transaktioner med kan misslyckas med att uppfylla sina skyldigheter, vilket kan orsaka förluster.
Kreditrisk– om en motpart eller en emittent av en finansiell tillgång som innehas inom delfonden misslyckas med att uppfylla sina betalningsskyldigheter kommer det att ha en negativ inverkan på delfonden.
Förvaringsrisk – insolvens, brott mot omsorgsplikt eller misskötsel från en förvaringsinstituts eller underförvaringsinstituts sida som ansvarar för förvaringen av delfondens tillgångar kan det leda till förlust för delfonden.
Derivatrisk – derivatinstrument är mycket känsliga för förändringar i värdet på den underliggande tillgången de baseras på. Vissa derivat kan resultera i förluster som är större än det ursprungligen investerade beloppet.
Tillväxtmarknadsrisk – tillväxtmarknader bär sannolikt högre risk på grund av lägre likviditet och eventuell brist på tillräckliga finansiella, juridiska, sociala, politiska och ekonomiska strukturer, skydd och stabilitet samt osäkra skattepositioner.
Valutakursrisk – förändringar i växelkurser kan minska eller öka den avkastning en investerare kan förvänta sig att få oberoende av tillgångarnas resultat. Om tillämpligt kan investeringstekniker som används för att försöka minska risken för valutakursförändringar (hedging) vara ineffektiva. Hedging innebär också ytterligare risker i samband med derivat.
Ränterisk – när räntorna stiger faller obligationspriserna, vilket återspeglar investerares förmåga att få en mer attraktiv ränta på sina pengar någon annanstans. Obligationspriserna är därför föremål för ränteförändringar som kan röra sig av ett antal skäl, både politiska och ekonomiska.
Hållbarhetsrisk – en miljömässig, social eller styrningsmässig händelse eller ett förhållande som kan orsaka att delfondens värde sjunker. Exempel på hållbarhetsrisker inkluderar fysiska miljörisker, risker för klimatomställningen, störningar i leveranskedjan, otillbörliga arbetsmetoder, bristande mångfald i styrelsen och korruption.
Likviditetsrisk – delfonden kanske inte alltid hittar en annan part som är villig att köpa en tillgång som delfonden vill sälja, vilket kan påverka delfondens förmåga att möta inlösenförfrågningar på begäran.
Marknadsrisk – värdet på tillgångar i delfonden dikteras vanligtvis av ett antal faktorer, inklusive förtroendenivåerna på den marknad där de handlas.
Operativ risk – väsentliga förluster för delfonden kan uppstå till följd av mänskliga fel, system- och/eller processfel, otillräckliga rutiner eller kontroller.
Fullständig information om riskerna med att investera i fonden finns i fondens prospekt.
Det betyder att det går att handla andelar i denna ETF genom de flesta svenska banker och Internetmäklare, till exempel Nordnet, SAVR, DEGIRO och Avanza.
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Research Newsletter
Each week the 21Shares Research team will publish our data-driven insights into the crypto asset world through this newsletter. Please direct any comments, questions, and words of feedback to research@21shares.com
Disclaimer
The information provided does not constitute a prospectus or other offering material and does not contain or constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction. Some of the information published herein may contain forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. The information contained herein may not be considered as economic, legal, tax or other advice and users are cautioned to base investment decisions or other decisions solely on the content hereof.