Two junior oils, two levels of risk

Article Excerpt

BELLATRIX EXPLORATION $2.86 (Toronto symbol BXE; SI Rating: Speculative) (403-266-8670; www.bellatrixexploration.com; Shares outstanding: 92.5 million; Market cap: $264.1 million; No dividends paid) has established oil and gas production in Canada, one of the world’s safest jurisdictions. Bellatrix produces oil and natural gas in Saskatchewan and west-central Alberta. Gas makes up about 74% of its output. In the three months ended March 31, 2010, Bellatrix’s production fell 27.4%, to 7,248 barrels of oil equivalent per day (including natural gas) from 9,981 barrels a year earlier. That’s mainly because Bellatrix cut its capital spending a year earlier to conserve cash and pay down debt. It also suspended its monthly distribution with the March 2009 payment. Cash flow per share rose 50% in the latest quarter, to $0.12 from $0.08. Higher oil prices were the main reason for the gain. In January 2010, Bellatrix raised $42.2 million in a share issue to further pay down debt. Its total debt is down to $82.2 million, or 31.1% of…