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MLP Monthly Report: November 2020

Nov 18, 2020

The November MLP Monthly Report can be found here offering insights on MLP industry news, the asset class’s performance, yields, valuations, and fundamental drivers.

Summary

News:

1) DTE Energy Co (DTE) plans to spin off its gas pipeline business, DTE Midstream, into a publicly traded company by mid-2021 through awarding ownership to DTE Energy shareholders in dividends. DTE Midstream is valued between $7.5 billion and $8.0 billion including debt, and is forecasted to generate around $700 million in EBITDA.

2) In yet another consolidation in the Energy sector, ConocoPhillips (COP) has agreed to buy U.S. shale oil producer Concho Resources (CXO) for $9.7 billion or $49.30 per share. In the all-stock deal, CXO shareholders will receive 1.46 shares of COP for each share held. The deal is expected to generate annual cost and capital savings of $500 million by 2022.

3) In the Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index, there were only two distribution cuts across midstream MLPs this quarter, by Energy Transfer LP (ET) and NGL Energy Partners LP (NGL). The recent recovery in the energy markets, and distribution cuts earlier in the year gave most of the midstream companies confidence to maintain distribution levels.

Sources: Reuters, CNBC, Energy Transfer, NGL Energy Partners, Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index

Performance: Midstream MLPs, as measured by the Solactive MLP Infrastructure Index, increased 3.14% last month. The index is down by 47.88% since last October. (Source: Bloomberg)

Yield: The current yield on MLPs stands at 16.51%. MLP yields remained higher than the broad market benchmarks for High Yield Bonds (6.10%), Fixed Rate Preferreds (4.49%), Emerging Market Bonds (4.11%), and Investment Grade Bonds (2.08%).1 MLP yield spreads versus 10-year Treasuries currently stand at 14.64%, higher than the long-term average of 5.54%.2 (Sources: Bloomberg and Fed Reserve)

Valuations: The Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio (EV-to-EBITDA), which seeks to provide more color on the valuations of MLPs, decreased by 0.70% last month. Since October 2019, the EV-to-EBITDA ratio is down by approximately 17.28%. (Source: Bloomberg)

Crude Production: The Baker Hughes Rig Count increased to 296 rigs, increasing by 35 rigs from last month’s count of 261 rigs. US production of crude oil decreased to 10.500 mb/d in the last week of October compared to September levels of 10.7000 mb/d. (Source: Baker Hughes & EIA)

For performance data current to the most recent month- and quarter-end, please click here

As of 10/31/2020, Energy Transfer LP (ET) was a holding in the Global X MLP ETF (MLPA), with a 8.98% weighting and Global X MLP and Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX), with a 4.17% weighting. NGL Energy Partners LP (NGL) was a holding in the MLPA, with a 2.05% weighting.

MLPX ETF and MLPA ETF do not have any holding in DTE Energy Co (DTE), ConocoPhillips (COP), and Concho Resources (CXO).

Category: Reports

Topics: MLPs

This information is not intended to be individual or personalized investment or tax advice. Please consult a financial advisor or tax professional for more information regarding your tax situation.

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Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. 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 Global X MLP Funds invest in the energy industry, which entails significant risk and volatility. The Funds invest in small and mid-capitalization companies, which pose greater risks than large companies. MLPA 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. The Funds are non-diversified. Current and future holdings are subject to risk.

MLPA 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.

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