Tom Konrad CFA
My
Ten Clean Energy Stocks for 2015 model portfolio held on to
first quarter gains in April, despite a 29% fall for one of the
stocks. (For details on that decline, see the Power REIT
(NYSE:PW)
section below.) The portfolio as a whole was rescued by the
recovering Canadian Dollar and Euro, as well as mild advances for
most of the other stocks across the board. That includes a
4.9% gain for TransAlta Renewables (TSX:RNW,
OTC:TRSWF), and a 5.8% gain for FutureFuel (NYSE:FF)
which I singled out as having "fallen too far" in last
month's update.
As a whole, the model portfolio fell 0.7% in April and is up 4.9%
for the year to April 30th. This compares to a 2.6% April
decline for its broad market benchmark, IWM, which is down 3.7% year
to date (YTD).
Income and Value Divergence
However, the overall averages are a product of the excellent performance of the six income stocks masking the miserable performance of the four value and growth stocks. The income group was up 4.2% for April, and is up 14.6% YTD. This compares to a 1.9% monthly gain and 3.7% year to date loss for its benchmark, JXI. The fossil fuel free income portfolio I manage with Green Alpha Advisors, GAGEIP, is also doing well, with a 3.1% gain in April, and a YTD 8.6% gain.
In contrast, the four growth and value stocks lost 8.0% for the month, and are down 9.7% for the year. This compares to their clean energy ETF benchmark (PBW), which rose 3.0% for the month and is up 9.3% for the year.
The chart below (click for larger version) gives details of individual stock performance, followed by a discussion of April news for each stock.
The low and high targets given below are my estimates of the range within which I expected each stock to finish 2015 when I compiled the list at the end of 2014.
Income and Value Divergence
However, the overall averages are a product of the excellent performance of the six income stocks masking the miserable performance of the four value and growth stocks. The income group was up 4.2% for April, and is up 14.6% YTD. This compares to a 1.9% monthly gain and 3.7% year to date loss for its benchmark, JXI. The fossil fuel free income portfolio I manage with Green Alpha Advisors, GAGEIP, is also doing well, with a 3.1% gain in April, and a YTD 8.6% gain.
In contrast, the four growth and value stocks lost 8.0% for the month, and are down 9.7% for the year. This compares to their clean energy ETF benchmark (PBW), which rose 3.0% for the month and is up 9.3% for the year.
The chart below (click for larger version) gives details of individual stock performance, followed by a discussion of April news for each stock.
The low and high targets given below are my estimates of the range within which I expected each stock to finish 2015 when I compiled the list at the end of 2014.
Income Stocks
1. Hannon Armstrong
Sustainable Infrastructure (NYSE:HASI).
12/31/2014 Price: $14.23. Annual Dividend: $1.04. Beta: 0.81. Low Target: $13.50. High Target: $17.
4/30/2015 Price: $19.00. YTD Dividend: $0.26 YTD Total Return: 35.3%.
12/31/2014 Price: $14.23. Annual Dividend: $1.04. Beta: 0.81. Low Target: $13.50. High Target: $17.
4/30/2015 Price: $19.00. YTD Dividend: $0.26 YTD Total Return: 35.3%.
The stock of sustainable infrastructure financier and
Real Estate Investment Trust Hannon Armstrong added to previous
gains in April, despite a secondary share offering of 4
million shares priced at $18.50 a share. The strength
is most likely due to a well timed earnings
guidance update for the first quarter released on April
28th.
2. General
Cable Corp. (NYSE:BGC)
12/31/2014 Price: $14.90. Annual Dividend: $0.72. Beta: 1.54. Low Target: $10. High Target: $30.
4/30/2015 Price: $16.31. YTD Dividend: $0. YTD Total Return: 9.5%.
12/31/2014 Price: $14.90. Annual Dividend: $0.72. Beta: 1.54. Low Target: $10. High Target: $30.
4/30/2015 Price: $16.31. YTD Dividend: $0. YTD Total Return: 9.5%.
International manufacturer of electrical and fiber optic cable
General Cable Corp. gave back some of its previous gains.
The gains come because of buyout rumors, discussed in the last
update. Although the reasons for a possible buyout are just
as good as they were in March, this is typical performance for a
stock after buyout rumors: The stock declines slowly as traders
lose interest and move on to the next item in the news
cycle. The company will discuss first quarter earnings with
analysts on May 7th. Management is sure to be asked about
the rumors at that time, although I doubt they will say anything
to feed renewed speculative frenzy.
3. TransAlta
Renewables Inc. (TSX:RNW,
OTC:TRSWF)
12/31/2014 Price: C$11.48. Annual Dividend: C$0.77. Low Target: C$10. High Target: C$15.
4/30/2015 Price: C$12.47. YTD Dividend: C$0.26 YTD Total C$ Return: 10.9%. YTD Total US$ Return: 6.6%.
12/31/2014 Price: C$11.48. Annual Dividend: C$0.77. Low Target: C$10. High Target: C$15.
4/30/2015 Price: C$12.47. YTD Dividend: C$0.26 YTD Total C$ Return: 10.9%. YTD Total US$ Return: 6.6%.
I highlighted Canadian yieldco TransAlta Renewables as a good
short-term buy last month because of what I believe to be a
temporary sell-off following the announcement of a secondary
offering of stock priced at C$12.65. The stock initially
advanced, but then fell back when the deal closed. After its
normal monthly C$0.06416 dividend, the stock was flat in local
currency terms, but up 4.9% in US$ terms because of the
appreciating Canadian dollar.
If anything, now is an even better time to buy TransAlta
Renewables given that it has not advanced in local currency terms,
and it will soon increase its monthly dividend to C$0.07.
Analysts seem to agree: TD Securities upgraded
the stock from "hold" to "buy" and raised its price target
from C$13.50 to C$15.50. Macquarie maintained a neutral rating,
but increased
its price target from C$13 to C$14.
4.
Capstone Infrastructure Corp (TSX:CSE.
OTC:MCQPF).
12/31/2014 Price: C$3.20. Annual Dividend C$0.30. Low Target: C$3. High Target: C$5.
4/30/2015 Price: C$3.70. YTD Dividend: C$0.075 YTD Total C$ Return: 18.0%. YTD Total US$ Return: 13.5%.
12/31/2014 Price: C$3.20. Annual Dividend C$0.30. Low Target: C$3. High Target: C$5.
4/30/2015 Price: C$3.70. YTD Dividend: C$0.075 YTD Total C$ Return: 18.0%. YTD Total US$ Return: 13.5%.
Canadian power producer and developer (yieldco) Capstone
Infrastructure revealed that Ontario Electricity Financial
Corporation had appealed the March 12th decision from the Ontario
Superior Court discussed in the last update. If the ruling is
upheld, it will result in a C$25 million (C$0.26) retroactive
payment and an ongoing revenue increase at two of Capstones
hydropower facilities. The stock continued to recover from
previous lows.
5. New Flyer Industries
(TSX:NFI, OTC:NFYEF).
12/31/2014 Price: C$13.48. Annual Dividend: C$0.585. Low Target: C$10. High Target: C$20.
4/30/2015 Price: C$14.32. YTD Dividend: C$0.20 YTD Total C$ Return: 7.7%. YTD Total US$ Return: 3.6%.
12/31/2014 Price: C$13.48. Annual Dividend: C$0.585. Low Target: C$10. High Target: C$20.
4/30/2015 Price: C$14.32. YTD Dividend: C$0.20 YTD Total C$ Return: 7.7%. YTD Total US$ Return: 3.6%.
Leading North American bus manufacturer New Flyer announced
its new orders and backlog for the first quarter. Order
activity remains brisk. Although New Flyer delivered 572 EUs
in the quarter, compared to 494 new firm orders and exercised
options, backlog including options increased from 2,469 to 29,30
EUs. The company's aftermarket business continues to grow as
well.
For investors new to New Flyer, Livio Filice gave a good
overview on Seeking Alpha.
6. Accell
Group (XAMS:ACCEL,
OTC:ACGPF).
12/31/2014 Price: €13.60. Annual Dividend: €0.61. Low Target: €12. High Target: €20.
4/30/2015 Price: €16.84. YTD Dividend: €0.61 YTD Total € Return: 28.3%. YTD Total US$ Return: 18.9%.
12/31/2014 Price: €13.60. Annual Dividend: €0.61. Low Target: €12. High Target: €20.
4/30/2015 Price: €16.84. YTD Dividend: €0.61 YTD Total € Return: 28.3%. YTD Total US$ Return: 18.9%.
Bicycle manufacturer Accell Group reported
record revenue and profits for 2014, on strong electric and
sport bike sales and favorable weather in Europe this past winter.
The company also reported that 2015 had gotten off to a favorable
start, despite the volatility of the Euro. Shareholders
approved a €0.61 dividend, up from €0.55 last year. The
stock went ex-dividend on April 27th.
Value Stocks
7. Future
Fuel
Corp. (NYSE:FF)
12/31/2014 Price: $13.02. Annual Dividend: $0.24. Beta 0.36. Low Target: $10. High Target: $20.
4/30/2015 Price: $10.87 YTD Dividend: $0.06. YTD Total Return: -16.1%.
Last month, I highlighted specialty chemicals and biodiesel producer FutureFuel as one of two short term buys based on undervaluation. Like TransAlta Renewables, FutureFuel's return was not particularly impressive, but it did advance 5.8%. The advance was helped by the EPA's agreement to finalize volumes for 2014 and 2015 under the Renewable Fuel Standard by November 30th. The Agency also intends to finalize the rule for 2016 before the end of the year. Uncertainty over the repeated delays of the EPAs rule making have been undermining the biofuels markets and FutureFuel's profits since the EPA missed its deadline for the 2014 rules in November 2013.
12/31/2014 Price: $13.02. Annual Dividend: $0.24. Beta 0.36. Low Target: $10. High Target: $20.
4/30/2015 Price: $10.87 YTD Dividend: $0.06. YTD Total Return: -16.1%.
Last month, I highlighted specialty chemicals and biodiesel producer FutureFuel as one of two short term buys based on undervaluation. Like TransAlta Renewables, FutureFuel's return was not particularly impressive, but it did advance 5.8%. The advance was helped by the EPA's agreement to finalize volumes for 2014 and 2015 under the Renewable Fuel Standard by November 30th. The Agency also intends to finalize the rule for 2016 before the end of the year. Uncertainty over the repeated delays of the EPAs rule making have been undermining the biofuels markets and FutureFuel's profits since the EPA missed its deadline for the 2014 rules in November 2013.
8. Power REIT (NYSE:PW).
12/31/2014 Price: $8.35. Annual Dividend: $0. Beta: 0.52. Low Target: $5. High Target: $20.
4/30/2015 Price: $6.14. YTD Total Return: -26.5%.
12/31/2014 Price: $8.35. Annual Dividend: $0. Beta: 0.52. Low Target: $5. High Target: $20.
4/30/2015 Price: $6.14. YTD Total Return: -26.5%.
As mentioned above, the judge ruled against Power REIT in summary
judgement on April 24th. I wrote about the ruling and my new
valuation for Power REIT ($5 to $7) here.
The judge also called a status conference with both parties for
April 29th. My hope is that Power REIT decided not to appeal
and its lessees dropped the remaining minor claims, but the company
has not yet released any information regarding the outcome of the
conference.
Although the judge ruled against Power REIT on every count, there were two bright spots in the ruling. First, the company can now drop the case without the expense of a prolonged trial. It was due to this savings in legal expenses that my current valuation exceeds my previously estimate ($5) of Power REIT's value in the case of a total loss.
The other upside comes from Power REIT's preferred stock (PW-PA,) which I have previously described as a hedge against the possibility of a loss in the civil case. Although the preferred sold off briefly in the wake of its ruling, calmer heads soon prevailed. Prior to the ruling, the preferred had been trading in the $25.50 to $26 range, but it is now trading around $27. The increase is due to the fact that the preferred dividends (like dividends on the common) should now be treated for tax purposes as return of capital, rather than as ordinary income.
Although the judge ruled against Power REIT on every count, there were two bright spots in the ruling. First, the company can now drop the case without the expense of a prolonged trial. It was due to this savings in legal expenses that my current valuation exceeds my previously estimate ($5) of Power REIT's value in the case of a total loss.
The other upside comes from Power REIT's preferred stock (PW-PA,) which I have previously described as a hedge against the possibility of a loss in the civil case. Although the preferred sold off briefly in the wake of its ruling, calmer heads soon prevailed. Prior to the ruling, the preferred had been trading in the $25.50 to $26 range, but it is now trading around $27. The increase is due to the fact that the preferred dividends (like dividends on the common) should now be treated for tax purposes as return of capital, rather than as ordinary income.
9. Ameresco, Inc.
(NASD:AMRC).
12/31/2014 Price: $7.00. Annual Dividend: $0. Beta: 1.36. Low Target: $6. High Target: $16.
4/30/2015 Price: $6.72. YTD Total Return: -4.0%.
12/31/2014 Price: $7.00. Annual Dividend: $0. Beta: 1.36. Low Target: $6. High Target: $16.
4/30/2015 Price: $6.72. YTD Total Return: -4.0%.
Energy service contractor Ameresco continues to announce both
solar and energy efficiency contracts, but has yet to catch
investor attention. The stock drifted down after some
excitement last month over the Obama administration's renewed push
for energy efficiency in Federal agencies.
Growth Stock
10. MiX Telematics
Limited (NASD:MIXT).
12/31/2014 Price: $6.50. Annual Dividend: $0. Beta: 0.78. Low Target: $5. High Target: $20.
4/30/2015 Price: $7.00. YTD Dividend: $0. YTD Total South African Rand Return: 11.0%. YTD Total US$ Return: 7.7%.
12/31/2014 Price: $6.50. Annual Dividend: $0. Beta: 0.78. Low Target: $5. High Target: $20.
4/30/2015 Price: $7.00. YTD Dividend: $0. YTD Total South African Rand Return: 11.0%. YTD Total US$ Return: 7.7%.
Vehicle and fleet management software-as-a-service provider MiX
Telematics was mostly flat with a slight decline in South African
rand terms offset by appreciation of the rand against the
dollar. I find the lack of movement puzzling, given the
likelihood that the company is currently negotiating a sale.
Readers can find an excellent in-depth look at MiX's current
undervaluation and prospects for a buy-out here.
Final Thoughts
With my growing focus on income stocks and the launch of the Green
Alpha Global Equity Income Portfolio strategy late last year, I had
seriously considered placing only income stocks on this list for
2015. Unfortunately, a colleague talked me out of the idea,
saying that readers expect a broader focus for my lists of "Ten
Clean Energy Stocks," which I have been publishing since 2007.
If this year's results are anything to go by, I'm a lot better at picking income stocks than I am at picking value and growth stock. I also suspect that a systematic review of previous years would lead to the same conclusion. Many of my biggest winners have been income stocks, and many my biggest losers have been value or growth stocks.
It's hard to be good at all things, but it is possible to know your strengths. I'm tired of getting caught in value traps. I'm re-considering making the tenth annual "10 Clean Energy Stocks" list into "10 Clean Energy Income Stocks for 2016."
On the subject of a much more recent tradition, I've managed to pick two or three winners from this list for the coming month for two months running. For May, I'm going to stick with TransAlta Renewables and bring MiX Telematics back from March, for the reasons discussed above.
If this year's results are anything to go by, I'm a lot better at picking income stocks than I am at picking value and growth stock. I also suspect that a systematic review of previous years would lead to the same conclusion. Many of my biggest winners have been income stocks, and many my biggest losers have been value or growth stocks.
It's hard to be good at all things, but it is possible to know your strengths. I'm tired of getting caught in value traps. I'm re-considering making the tenth annual "10 Clean Energy Stocks" list into "10 Clean Energy Income Stocks for 2016."
On the subject of a much more recent tradition, I've managed to pick two or three winners from this list for the coming month for two months running. For May, I'm going to stick with TransAlta Renewables and bring MiX Telematics back from March, for the reasons discussed above.
http://www.altenergystocks.com/archives/2015/05/value_trapped_ten_clean_energy_stoc ks_for_2015_april_update.html
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