El Paso Debt Deal Shows High Yield Market Isn't Dead, Just Expensive

To get an idea of how bad the high yield debt market is right now, one need only look at what price El Paso (EP) had to pay this week to issue $500 million worth of senior notes. El Paso is a solid company and should not have trouble selling debt. Their hybrid business model; energy pipelines coupled with exploration and production, makes their cash flow more predictable than more narrowly focused energy companies.

Still, El Paso is paying 12% interest and even with such a coupon rate, could not sell the notes at par. Instead they discounted them to entice buyers, who will earn 15.25% by holding to maturity. Why did EP sell such expensive debt? They have more than $13 billion of debt, with more than $1 billion coming due in 2009, and wanted to refinance until 2013.

Hopefully deals like this will continue. While they do not represent bargains for issuing companies, an increase in corporate debt offerings will be crucial for getting improvement in the corporate debt market. Once it becomes more clear that companies can issue new debt (even at high prices), the pressure on common stock prices of highly leveraged firms will abate, removing one of the largest elements of fear in today's equity market.

Full Disclosure: Peridot was long shares of El Paso preferred stock at the time of writing, but positions may change at any time

Insane Valuation Case Study: Valero Energy

It is pretty easy to find ridiculously low stock valuations in today's market, but here's an example of the value present in the current bear market. Valero Energy (VLO) this morning reported third quarter earnings of $1.86 per share, well above estimates. The stock closed yesterday at $15 per share, which gives it a P/E ratio of 8 based solely on one quarter's worth of earnings! Insane.

Full Disclosure: Peridot was long VLO at the time of writing, but positions may change at any time

Yes, Oil Demand Should Keep Growing

A few months back we had people calling for $150 and $200 oil, but now many people are saying $50 or $60 is not only possible, but likely. What a difference hedge fund liquidations and a recession can make. Is the oil bull market over, or just put on hold due to an impending global recession? My best guess is the latter.

Consider the charts below. They show crude oil consumption for this decade, with current 2009 estimates included. The first one shows oil consumption in the U.S. which isn't very impressive and screams lower prices. After all, we represent 5% of the world's population but consume 25% of the world's oil.

Not so fast though. Here is a chart of oil consumption worldwide. It shows a much different picture.

Will the current recession result in a reversal of this graph? Probably not to any large degree. The line will flatten surely, and perhaps even dip slightly, but by the time that happens any global recession will be mostly over and demand growth will be set to resume alongside economic growth. Long term I still think the oil bull market remains intact until we truly start replacing large amounts of oil consumption with alternative fuels.

Airline CEOs: Hedge Your Fuel Costs Now

We have seen crude oil prices fall 50% from $150 to $75 per barrel. Aside from Southwest Airlines (LUV), my preferred air carrier for many years (for traveling, not investing), the other airlines missed the boat on hedging fuel costs and paid the price as the oil spike wiped away their profits after the last round of bankruptcies. If they were smart, they would begin hedging right now. Given the economic problems we are facing and the fear of a global economic recession, oil is on sale due to temporary factors and global demand is still growing (more on this in coming days).

Sure,oil could get even cheaper in 2009 as the economy weakens, but that would be the time to increase the hedges further as prices fall. Once the economy rebounds we will see $100 oil again and those who hedged will look very smart. Legacy carrier CEOs might not be used to being called smart, but they certainly should give it a try.

If any airline workers are reading this, pass along this advice to your bosses. Airline CEOs: start hedging your fuel costs now and increase them should oil prices continue to fall during the recession. Global oil demand is not going to start falling anytime soon, and falling gas prices today are just going to reaccelerate the demand growth that has fueled the commodity bull market.

Full Disclosure: No position in Southwest Airlines stock at the time of writing, but positions may change at any time. I do, however, have a Southwest Visa card in my wallet.

Strong Balance Sheets Make Hunting For Value Easier

During the last bear market (2000-2002) there were dozens of situations where individual stock valuations looked down right silly. This bear market will be no different, and long term value-oriented investors can take advantage of the fact that in times like these numerous bargains can be had, but most people are too afraid to take them.

A great way to find value in the market is to use enterprise values (market values after netting out the firm's cash on hand and debt outstanding). Investing in companies with hoards of cash in the bank allow investors to get the operating businesses on the cheap. There are many examples of this, and I often talk about net cash positions of various stocks on this blog, but let's use former Halliburton (HAL) subsidiary KBR (KBR) to show what I am talking about. I don't own the shares, but it fits the description perfectly.

At $15 per share, KBR stock is down 66% from its 52-week high of $44 and sports a market value of about $2.55 billion. Earnings in 2007 were $1.08 per share, and are expected to jump to $1.72 this year and $1.98 in 2009. That quick glance shows that KBR appears to be a pretty cheap stock at about 10 times trailing earnings and less than 9 times current year projections, but KBR's balance sheet tells an even better story.

As of June 30th, KBR had cash on hand of $1.85 billion and no debt outstanding. With a market value of only $2.55 billion, KBR's enterprise value is merely $700 million. With $11 per share of net cash in the bank, investors who buy KBR at $15 per share are getting the firm's operating businesses for the aforementioned $700 million, or only $4 per share. This for a company that has earned $428 million in operating income in the last 12 months.

A valuation of less than 2 times cash flow is truly silly, but in markets like the one we have right now, nobody really cares because they are too busy being concerned about overnight LIBOR rates and when the Treasury is going to start buying up assets from banks. What great news for long term investors who can seize on opportunities.

Full Disclosure: No positions in the companies mentioned at the time of writing, but positions may change at any time

Don't Borrow Money to Buy Stocks

Much of the recent market decline has been due to forced sellers like hedge fund and mutual fund managers that have had no choice but to sell stocks they own due to redemption notices from their panicked investors. In many cases, forced selling has also taken the form of margin calls.

Consider the shares of long time Peridot favorite Chesapeake Energy (CHK) which fell 50% in just the last 3 days of last week. The stock movement felt like panic selling and late Friday we learned that the company's largest shareholder (the co-founder and CEO) was forced to sell most of his 5% stake in the company between Wednesday and Friday. Why? To meet brokerage margin calls that were triggered because he had bought the shares in part with borrowed money.

For the most part, I would never recommend that individual investors borrow money to buy stocks. Every so often there are arbitrage opportunities that can be completely hedged and therefore using margin can pay off if downside risk can be hedged away, but speculating on a stock price's future movement based on fundamental bullishness (as was the case with CHK) with borrowed money is a recipe for potential disaster.

Aubrey McClendon, Chesapeake's CEO, has paid the ultimate price by being forced to sell 94% of his stake in his own company in the middle of one of the most panicked weeks the market has ever seen. Don't make the same mistake he did by speculating with borrowed money. Leverage has crushed the investment banks, but it can get individuals in deep trouble too.

Full Disclosure: Peridot was long shares of CHK at the time of writing, but positions may change at any time

Buffett Adds $3B of GE Preferreds, Still Takes No Equity Market Risk

Warren Buffett is stepping up to the plate again, buying $3 billion in 10% preferred stock from General Electric (GE), after adding $5 billion of Goldman Sachs (GS) preferred just days ago. Many are focusing on the confidence factor the Buffett moves suggest, which I agree with to a large extent. However, keep in mind that this second deal is just like the first in that he is not taking on any equity market risk by purchasing preferred stock. As long as these firms stay afloat, Buffett can't lose a dime, regardless of where the common shares trade in the future.

Full Disclosure: Peridot was long shares of GE at the time of writing, but holdings can change at any time

What To Do In Times Of Panic

Is "panic" too strong of a word to describe the markets in recent days? I don't think so. Consider a couple of examples outside of the investment banking space:

1) Constellation Energy (CEG)

My old utility company when I grew up in Baltimore, Constellation is the parent of Baltimore Gas & Electric. CEG gets 20% of their earnings from energy trading and had contracts with Lehman Brothers. Although CEG's net exposure to Lehman's bankruptcy was immaterial, investors panicked and sent the stock down from $60 last week to as low as $13 on Tuesday. Today Warren Buffett's 88% owned MidAmerican Energy agrees to buy CEG for $26.50 in cash, or about 75% of the company's book value, in a deal that alleviates counterparty concerns over CEG's liquidity.

2) State Street (STT)

State Street fetched $68 before 10:00 this morning and hit $29 shortly after 1:00pm. State Street is listed as a large holder of all the troubled financial stocks, which worried people, but STT is a custodian for their clients and index funds and does not own the vast majority of the stocks in question. They simply act as custodian and collect fees for doing so. STT issued a press release this afternoon trying to clear things up and assured investors their money market funds had not dropped below $1 in NAV.

There is no doubt in my mind that we are simply in the midst of a worldwide financial panic. The UK just restricted all short selling in financial stocks until the dust settles. Fear and mostly unsubstantiated rumors are driving price action right now.

So what should an investor do in this environment? It might surprise you, but I have been making very few moves during all of this craziness. Trading when fear, panic, and rumors have taken over doesn't make much sense because prices are not based on reality but rather perception. Lack of confidence and uncertainty about what is true and what is not is a deadly combination for financial markets and many firms. It doesn't matter if Morgan Stanley (MS) is not in trouble. If clients think they might not be, they will pull their money and set off a "run on the bank"scenario. That very situation will likely forced them to sell the company in the heart of the panic, regardless of what the reality is.

As long as you know and understand what you own and have done adequate fundamental analysis, I would suggest standing pat and waiting for things to settle down. Like LTCM, the Asian financial crisis and every other financial market panic, this one too will be over at some point. When that happens we can get back to good ol' fundamental investing. Fortunately, most of the people reading this blog, as well as myself and my clients, can wait for the storm to pass.

Full Disclosure: No positions in any of the companies mentioned at the time of writing

Contrarian Call: 40% Drop in Boeing Shares Looks Overdone

The decline in shares of Boeing (BA) has been significant over the last year. The stock has fallen 40% from $107 to $64 as high oil prices force most domestic airlines into heavy losses. The market appears to be acting as though Boeing's only customers are domestic airlines. If that were the case, one could certainly argue near-term earnings growth would be non-existent and the stock deserves the severe haircut it has seen (BA trades at 12 times trailing earnings, 11 times 2008 estimates, and 9 times 2009 estimates).

Boeing - One Year Chart:

Investors need to keep in mind that Boeing will get 50% of its revenue from its Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) division this year, with the rest coming from commercial aircraft. The growth in the aircraft segment is coming from overseas, not the United States. With global economies growing faster than ours, much of the 95% of the world population not living in the U.S. are beginning to either fly more or fly for the first time. Countries like China, India, and the UAE are ordering more and more places from Boeing to boost their fleets. Boeing is not a one trick pony by any means.

The company has also been hit due to delays in its new 787 Dreamliner, its next generation plane. Wall Street obsesses over short term events, so a delay of a few months will hit the stock, but in reality, long term investors should feel confident that Boeing has a new product cycle coming. New planes cost more than the old ones and the 787 improves fuel efficiency dramatically, which is a great feature with high oil prices. Even with some delays with a project this big, Boeing's earnings should still accelerate after the 787 starts being delivered.

Boeing appears to be an excellent contrarian investment option after a 40% drop in stock price. There are clearly issues facing the company, but the current valuation, I believe, has factored in most of the negativity. Even if 2009 profit projections turn out to be too optimistic (current consensus is $6.93 per share), the stock looks very cheap. Even if earnings only reach $6, Boeing at $63 trades at only 10.5 times forward earnings and yields 2.5%. That is a pretty meager valuation for a company that, combined with Airbus, dominates the aircraft market and has a strong defense business in a volatile geopolitical climate.

Full Disclosure: Long shares of Boeing at the time of writing

With Oil Down 25%, Is The Bull Market Over?

After seeing the price of crude oil start the year around $100 per barrel, peak at nearly $150, and come nearly all of the way back, where does the oil market go from here? It is interesting to see how many people no longer think we see a range of $150 to $200 anymore. The Goldman Sachs year-end target of $149 is now considered overly bullish by most pundits. Is the bull market in oil over?

The sharpness of the recent decline lends some credence to the belief that much of the 2008 price spike was related to speculative trading activity. After all, the move from the 120's to the 140's came with nearly no new information that would lead one to think the supply/demand balance had changed materially. Daily price swings of $5+ became commonplace without significant events accompanying them. Now with oil down about 25% from its high, calls for $70 or $80 oil are easy to find.

Personally, I think it is important to note that the fundamentals of the oil bull market remain intact. Global demand is growing faster than global supply. It is true that we began to see demand destruction once crude passed $140 per barrel, but since that level was merely temporary, a price of $110 or $115 all of the sudden looks reasonable again. Should we expect gasoline demand to continue to drop at the same pace when gas drops from over $4.00 to under $3,50 per gallon? Probably not.

Even if demand growth drops in the United States and China and India see lower GDP growth levels, oil demand should still rise in coming years. Consider 2008 worldwide demand. Despite the price spike we saw this year, daily global consumption is estiamted to rise 1% to 86.3 million barrels per day. That comes on the heals of a 1% increase last year and another 1% increase forecasted for 2009.

In any bull market there are periods of sharp spikes higher and even sharper declines. Looking at the global economy, it is hard to argue that oil demand will not continue to grow. Sure, alternative energy sources can cut that growth rate noticeably, but with each and every price correction brings less pressure to really promote alternatives in a meaningful way.

A price correction moving toward $100 per barrel, without significant fundamental changes in the outlook for crude oil demand and supply and demand, makes me think triple digit oil prices are not going to become a thing of the past any time soon, for an extended period of time anyway.

From an investment perspective, leading oil producers have seen serious price per share declines, which now imply long term oil prices of far less than $100 per barrel (most are between $70 and $80 per barrel). If you think the next three to five years will see triple digit oil, as I do, then the stocks are going to prove to be excellent investments from here.