High income at reasonable risk

Article Excerpt

Low oil and natural gas prices have prompted Pengrowth to lower production and cut its distributions. However, these moves put the trust in a strong position to quickly increase cash flow and distributions when prices rebound. As well, Pengrowth’s reasonable debt should let it take advantage of depressed energy prices by making acquisitions, probably at bargain prices. Pengrowth has been around since 1988, and is now one of the largest energy trusts in North America. It survived years of low oil prices in the 1990s, and should withstand this recent drop. As well, its high-quality reserves should last well over 10 years. PENGROWTH ENERGY TRUST $7.13 (Toronto symbol PGF.UN; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Units outstanding: 256.1 million; Market cap: $1.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.0; SI Rating: Average) is one of North America’s largest energy royalty trusts. It owns all or part of several oil and natural-gas properties in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Properties that Pengrowth operates account for 63% of its…