Last year, I flagged Plains All American (NASDAQ: PAA ) ( PAGP ) as a standout in the oil and gas midstream space. At the time, I said it was one of those stocks people tend toBashar is a contributing writer at Seeking Alpha, focusing on Long/Short investment ideas, with a geographic focus in North America. Before that, Bashar worked at an Investment Fund in the United Kingdom. He has a Master's degree in Finance from the Queen Mary University of London and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Middlesex Un ...

Core Insights - Crude oil prices have decreased by approximately 15% over the past year, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) falling below $70 per barrel, impacting cash flows for many energy companies [1] Group 1: Company Resilience - ExxonMobil is highlighted for its strong balance sheet, which has allowed it to maintain operations and dividends through volatile energy prices, having increased its dividend for 42 consecutive years [3][6] - Plains All American Pipeline benefits from stable cash flows due to long-term fixed-rate contracts, expecting adjusted EBITDA to rise to between $2.8 billion and $2.95 billion this year, up from less than $2.8 billion last year [8][9] - Chevron, despite being closely tied to oil prices, has seen its stock reach a 52-week high, reflecting investor confidence, and has raised dividends for 37 consecutive years [12][13] Group 2: Growth Strategies - ExxonMobil plans to use downturns to acquire smaller energy companies, leveraging its strong balance sheet for long-term growth [6] - Plains All American is investing $300 million to $400 million into capital projects this year and has increased its distribution by 20%, yielding 7.5% [10][11] - Chevron targets a 6% compound annual growth in production through 2026 and over 10% average annual growth in free cash flow through 2027 at a Brent crude price of $60 per barrel [13][14]

HOUSTON, March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (NASDAQ:PAA) and Plains GP Holdings (NASDAQ:PAGP) announced today that Harry Pefanis will retire as President of Plains effective June 1, 2025. Willie Chiang, Chairman of the Board and CEO, will assume the role of President effective upon the retirement of Mr. Pefanis. In addition, Plains announced updates to the lead director position and certain committee assignments for its Board of Directors that will also be effective June 1 ...

Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.Whil ...

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Momentum investing is essentially the opposite of the tried-and-tested Wall Street adage -- "buy low and sell high." Investors following this investing style typically avoid betting on cheap stocks and waiting long for them to recover. They believe instead that one could make far more money in lesser time by "buying high and selling higher."Everyone likes betting on fast-moving trending stocks, but it isn't easy to determine the right entry point. These stocks often lose momentum when their future growth po ...

Group 1: Pearson - Pearson is a global media conglomerate that publishes books, periodicals, reports, and screen-based services for professional communities worldwide [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and has seen a 4.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Pearson's shares gained 4.1% over the last three months, outperforming the S&P 500, which lost 3.7% [2] Group 2: Veeva Systems - Veeva Systems provides cloud-based software applications and data solutions for the life sciences industry [2] - The company also holds a Zacks Rank of 1 and has experienced a 3.6% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Veeva Systems' shares increased by 5.6% over the last three months, again outperforming the S&P 500's loss of 3.7% [3] Group 3: Plains All American Pipeline - Plains All American Pipeline is a master limited partnership involved in the transportation, storage, terminalling, and marketing of crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGL), and refined products in the U.S. and Canada [4] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 and has seen a significant 10.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [4] - Plains All American Pipeline's shares surged by 18.3% over the last three months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's loss of 3.7% [5]

Infrastructure and Capacity - As of December 31, 2024, the company had approximately 18,800 miles of active crude oil transportation pipelines and gathering systems[39] - The company reported a commercial crude oil storage capacity of 72 million barrels at its terminalling and storage locations[39] - The company operates a condensate processing facility with an aggregate processing capacity of 120,000 barrels per day[39] - The Eagle Ford Pipeline has a total capacity of approximately 660,000 barrels per day, connecting Permian Basin production to Corpus Christi, Texas refiners[54] - The company owns a 50% interest in the Eagle Ford Corpus Christi terminal, which has a dock capacity to export crude oil and approximately one million barrels of commercial storage capacity[55] - The BridgeTex Pipeline has a capacity of approximately 440,000 barrels per day, while the Cactus Pipeline and Cactus II Pipeline have capacities of 390,000 and 670,000 barrels per day, respectively[57] - The Cushing terminal has a commercial storage capacity of 27 million barrels and is a key trading hub for NYMEX light sweet crude oil futures contracts[60] - The Capline Pipeline, in which the company holds a 54% interest, extends from Patoka, Illinois to St. James, Louisiana, supported by long-term shipper commitments[62] - The company operates a network of NGL fractionation facilities with a total capacity of approximately 172,000 barrels per day[75] - The Empress facility processes up to 5.7 Bcf of natural gas per day, producing approximately 65,000 to 100,000 barrels per day of ethane and 40,000 to 60,000 barrels per day of NGL mix[79] - The Co-Ed NGL pipeline system has a transportation capacity of approximately 70,000 barrels per day, gathering NGL from Southwest and Central Alberta[80] - The company owns a 40% interest in the Saddlehorn Pipeline, which has a capacity of approximately 290,000 barrels per day[72] - The Red River Pipeline has a capacity of approximately 235,000 barrels per day and connects Cushing, Oklahoma to Longview, Texas[65] - The company operates seven fractionation plants with an average daily volume of 131,700 barrels[75] - The Fort Saskatchewan facility has an inlet design capacity of 88,400 barrels per day and can produce approximately 44,500 barrels per day of propane, butane, and condensate[81] - The Sarnia fractionator processes an average of approximately 100,000 barrels per day of NGL products, with ownership stakes ranging from 61% to 85%[82] Financial Performance and Debt Management - The average long-term debt-to-total capitalization ratio targeted by the company is approximately 50% or less[31] - The company aims for an average total debt-to-total capitalization ratio of approximately 60% or less[31] - The company has a leverage multiple averaging between 3.25x to 3.75x, calculated as total debt plus 50% of the value of preferred units divided by Adjusted EBITDA[31] - The average Adjusted EBITDA-to-interest coverage multiple targeted by the company is approximately 3.3x or better[31] - The company has completed acquisitions totaling approximately $3.0 billion and asset sales exceeding $4.9 billion since its IPO in 1998[99] - The projected total investment capital for the year ending December 31, 2025, is approximately $500 million, with over half expected to be associated with the Permian JV[101] - Maintenance capital for 2025 is projected to be approximately $260 million[101] Revenue Sources and Customer Relationships - ExxonMobil accounted for 30%, 26%, and 20% of the company's revenues for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively[91] - The company must secure new contracts for crude oil supplies to maintain operational volumes, as reduced production or competition could impact supply availability[183] - Credit risk from customers and counterparties is a significant concern, with potential adverse impacts on cash flow and distributions[220] Regulatory and Compliance Challenges - The company is subject to increased pipeline safety requirements due to recent amendments to the Hazardous Liquids Pipeline Safety Act, which may raise operational costs[107] - The company is required to report GHG emissions for certain facilities, with the reporting threshold lowered to 10,000 tonnes per year in Canada[125] - The company faces potential increased compliance costs and operational restrictions due to evolving GHG emissions regulations in both the United States and Canada[124] - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has authorized pipeline construction under Nationwide Permit 12 for over 35 years, but recent challenges may lead to increased costs and project delays[128] - The Corps is currently reviewing NWP 12, which may result in changes that could disrupt project permitting and increase compliance costs[129] - The federal Endangered Species Act may restrict exploration and production activities, potentially impacting project viability due to lengthy regulatory reviews[132] - The Energy Policy Act of 2005 allows FERC to impose civil penalties for violations of the Interstate Commerce Act, with penalties adjusted annually for inflation, reaching $16,590 per day per violation in 2025[137] - The D.C. Circuit ruled that FERC violated the Administrative Procedure Act regarding the oil pricing index factor, which could affect the rates for certain liquids pipelines[135] - The Federal Trade Commission has regulations to prohibit market manipulation in the petroleum industry, with civil penalties of up to approximately $1.5 million per violation per day[147] - The Energy Policy Act of 1992 allows for "grandfathered" rates for liquids pipelines, which may only be challenged under specific conditions[135] - The current regulatory environment includes uncertainty regarding the jurisdictional reach of the Clean Water Act over U.S. waters, affecting project timelines and compliance costs[131] - Compliance with cybersecurity directives from the Transportation Security Administration may significantly impact operations and results[145] - Canadian pipeline assets are regulated by the CER and provincial regulators, which can impose conditions on rates and access terms[139] Operational and Environmental Risks - The company may face significant expenses related to environmental remediation and compliance with various federal and state regulations, which could materially affect financial results[120] - Climate change poses risks to operations, including increased operating costs and potential litigation related to environmental impacts[202][203] - The company may face societal and political opposition to pipeline development, which could disrupt operations and affect financial performance[206] - Financial institutions are increasingly restricting investments in hydrocarbon energy, potentially impacting the company's ability to secure funding for projects[208] - Financial stakeholders are increasingly scrutinizing companies regarding sustainability practices, which may impact capital raising efforts[210] - The SEC finalized climate disclosure rules in March 2024, mandating extensive climate-related risk disclosures for U.S.-listed public companies, potentially increasing compliance costs[212] Market Conditions and Competition - The company’s profitability is highly dependent on the volume of crude oil, natural gas, and NGL shipped, which can be adversely affected by external factors such as geopolitical events and market conditions[181] - The company faces risks from competition and the potential for reduced throughput on pipelines if producers decrease drilling activity in response to declining crude oil prices[182] - The company faces significant competition in the midstream energy sector, with competitors having capital resources many times greater than its own, impacting customer attraction and contract renewal[184] - Rapid development of new midstream energy infrastructure has led to overcapacity in key markets such as the Eagle Ford and Permian Basin, putting downward pressure on throughput and margins[185] - Fluctuations in supply and demand for crude oil and NGL products can negatively affect operating results, influenced by factors such as geopolitical events and economic conditions[188] - The company’s crude oil supply is subject to global political and economic factors, with excess supply potentially decreasing prices and profitability[189] - Increased competition and reduced demand for NGL products could lead to lower volumes handled and reduced service fees, adversely affecting margins[191] Cybersecurity and Safety Measures - Cybersecurity risks are a growing concern, with potential breaches leading to operational interruptions and significant costs[199] - The company has implemented security measures in accordance with DOT guidelines to protect facilities against terrorist attacks, though full protection cannot be guaranteed[108] - The company maintains a focus on health and safety, with performance-based bonuses tied to safety and environmental performance targets[153] - The company has a number of safety programs and campaigns aimed at promoting employee wellness and operational safety[153] Workforce and Employee Development - The company employs approximately 4,200 people in North America, with about 3,000 in the U.S. and 1,200 in Canada[152] - Approximately 69% of the workforce, or about 2,900 employees, are field employees, including around 800 in the trucking division[152] - The company offers comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement savings plans, and mental health resources[155] - The company has a commitment to employee development, providing training programs in various areas, including leadership skills[154] - The company has approximately 200 employees covered by collective bargaining agreements, which are open for renegotiation from 2025 to 2027[152] - The company prioritizes retaining and developing a high-quality workforce to enhance its culture consistent with core values[151] - The company may elect to self-insure certain risks, including gradual pollution and cybersecurity, due to potential inadequacies in insurance coverage[149] Taxation and Financial Reporting - The company has made a Section 754 election, which will generally allocate income and deductions based on the unitholder's purchase price attributable to each asset of the Partnership[165] - Unitholders selling common units will recognize gain or loss based on the difference between the amount realized and the adjusted tax basis, which may lead to taxable income even if the sale price is below the original cost[166] - Unitholders may be subject to various taxes, including state and local income taxes, which could require filing returns in multiple jurisdictions[167] - Tax-exempt organizations investing in common units will generally face unrelated business taxable income, making such income taxable[169] - Distributions to non-U.S. persons are subject to withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate plus an additional 10% on amounts exceeding cumulative net income[170] Joint Ventures and Strategic Initiatives - The company is engaged in over 25 joint venture arrangements, enhancing strategic alignment and volume commitments[97] - Joint ventures and capital projects may face challenges, including misalignment with partners and regulatory uncertainties, potentially delaying anticipated benefits[216] - Acquisitions and divestitures carry risks that could adversely affect financial performance and the ability to achieve strategic objectives[217] - The company has minimum volume commitment contracts that provide revenue certainty but may lead to deferred revenue recognition if shippers fail to meet obligations[221] - Nonperformance by joint venture partners or other parties could result in increased costs and decreased earnings[224] - The company may face increased costs and delays in capital projects due to uncertainties in obtaining necessary approvals and materials[215]

Core Viewpoint - Plains All American Pipeline LP (PAA) is experiencing a bullish trend, trading above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages, and is well-positioned to benefit from rising production in the Permian region and increasing demand for oil and natural gas [1][2][20] Group 1: Stock Performance - PAA's stock closed at $20.48 on February 21, with a 14.1% gain over the past three months, outperforming the industry, S&P 500, and Zacks Oil-Energy sector [5] - The firm's current trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA is 9.68X, indicating it is undervalued compared to the industry average of 12.16X [17] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - PAA maintains a disciplined capital investment strategy, focusing on organic growth and strategic acquisitions, including three bolt-on acquisitions for approximately $670 million in 2024 [9][10] - The firm is expanding operations in the Permian Basin, anticipating an increase in crude production by nearly 6.7 million barrels a day by the end of 2025, which will enhance its operational capacity [11] Group 3: Financial Outlook - PAA's management announced a 20% increase in its annual cash distribution rate to $1.52 per unit for 2025, reflecting a steady growth in cash distributions [14] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PAA's earnings per unit has increased by 9.4% and 2% for 2025 and 2026, respectively, over the past 60 days [16] Group 4: Market Position - PAA's strong presence in the Permian Basin and ongoing expansion through acquisitions positions it favorably to benefit from rising hydrocarbon production [19] - The company has a VGM Score of B, indicating strong performance, and is considered a favorable entry point for investors due to positive earnings estimates and trading at a discount [20]