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MLP Monthly Report: November 2016

Nov 14, 2016

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Click here to read the November MLP Report offering insights on MLP industry news and the asset class’s yields, valuations, volatility, and correlations.

Summary

News: US LNG exports are predicted to surpass imports for the first time in 60 years. Buckeye LP announced a $1.15 billion purchase of 50% of the GP stake in VTTI Energy.1 US crude production rose by 0.65% from the last week of September to the last week of October. Q4 MLP distributions grew 0.33% on average quarter-over-quarter. (Source: MLPData and EIA)

Performance: Midstream MLPs, as measured by the Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index, fell -4.6% last month on lower prices, but the index remains up 0.8% since the end of last October. (Source: Bloomberg)

Yield: The current yield on MLPs stands at 7.67%, increasing 43 basis points from 7.24% last month. MLP yields remain higher than the broad market benchmarks for High Yield Bonds (6.29%), Preferreds (5.35%), Emerging Market Bonds (5.28%), and REITs (4.27%). MLP yield spreads versus 10-year Treasuries currently stand at 5.83%, higher long-term average spread levels of 3.54%.2 (Source: Bloomberg, AltaVista Research, and Fed Reserve)

Valuations: The price to adjusted EBITDA ratio, which seeks to provide more color on an MLP’s prices relative to their earnings, fell this month as MLP share prices declined with a broader energy selloff. Valuations are now at their most attractive levels since June of this year. Since last October, the ratio has fallen approximately -0.5%, closely mirroring the 0.8% appreciation of the Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index, demonstrating the stability of midstream MLP earnings this year, despite low energy prices. (Source: Bloomberg, MLPData, company financials)

Risk: Since the period of heightened volatility in early 2016, volatility has stabilized at just below 20%, two-thirds lower than the peak of MLP market volatility. Crude prices fell last month, down -2.9% to 47/barrel. We have found that when oil falls below $45/barrel, correlations between MLPs and crude rise significantly. (Source: Bloomberg)

For Fund performance, please click on the fund ticker: MLPA, MLPX

Category: Articles

Topics: MLPs

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Global X Management Company, LLC serves as an advisor to the Global X Funds.  The Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SIDCO, 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA, 19456), which is not affiliated with Global X Management Company, LLC.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.  In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, international investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.  Investments in securities of MLPs involve risk that differ from investments  in common stock including risks related to limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting the MLP.  MLP common units and other equity securities can be affected by macro-economic and other factors affecting the stock market in general, expectations of interest rates, investor sentiment towards MLPs or the energy sector, changes in a particular issuer’s financial condition, or unfavorable or unanticipated poor performance of a particular issuer (in the case of MLPs, generally measured in terms of distributable cash flow).  The Fund invests in the energy industry, which entails significant risk and volatility.  In addition, the Fund is non- diversified which represents a heightened risk to investors.  Furthermore, the Fund invests in small and mid-capitalization companies, which pose greater risks than large companies. The Fund has a different and more complex tax structure than traditional ETFs and investors should consider carefully the significant tax implications of an investment in the Fund.  Current and future holdings are subject to risk.

The fund is taxed as a regular corporation for federal income tax purposes, which differs from most investment companies.   Due to its investment in MLPs, the fund will be obligated to pay applicable federal and state corporate income taxes on its taxable income as opposed to most other investment companies.   The fund expects that a portion of the distributions it receives from MLPs may be treated as tax-deferred return of capital.  The amount of taxes currently paid by the fund will vary depending on the amount of income and gains derived from MLP interests and such taxes will reduce an investor’s return from an investment in the fund.  The fund will accrue deferred income taxes for any future tax liability associated certain MLP interests.  Upon the sale of an MLP security, the fund may be liable for previously deferred taxes which may increase expenses and lower the fund’s NAV.  The potential tax benefits from investing in MLPs depend on them being treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes.   If the MLP is deemed to be a corporation then its income would be subject to federal taxation at the entity level, reducing the amount of cash available for distribution to the fund which could result in a reduction of the fund’s value.  The index however is calculated without any deductions for taxes.  As a result, the Fund’s after tax performance could differ significantly from the index even if the pretax performance of the Fund and the performance of the index are closely correlated.

Bonds and bond funds will decrease in value as interest rates rise.  High yield bonds involve greater risks of default or downgrade and are more volatile than investment grade securities, due to the speculative nature of their investments.   In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, real estate and REIT investments are subject to changes in economic conditions, credit risk and interest rate fluctuations.  Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors as well as increased volatility and lower trading volume. Preferred stock is subject to many of the risks associated with debt securities, including interest rate risk. In addition, preferred stock may not pay a dividend, an issuer may suspend payment of dividends on preferred stock at any time, and in certain situations an issuer may call or redeem its preferred stock or convert it to common stock.

U.S. Treasury securities are considered to be of high credit quality and are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. U.S. Treasury securities, if held to maturity, guarantee a return of principal while no other securities mentioned in this material offer such a guarantee.

Shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund.  Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.  Global X NAVs are calculated using prices as of 4:00 PM Eastern Time.  The closing price is the Mid-Point between the Bid and Ask price as of the close of exchange.

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Indices are unmanaged and do not include the effect of fees, expenses or sales charges.  One cannot invest directly in an index.  Index data source: Solactive AG.

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