Tap their safety-conscious gains and income

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Oil and gas stocks have moved up as the U.S. and other economies recover. The war in Ukraine has also driven up prices. We recommend that most investors maintain exposure to the oil and gas industry as part of a balanced portfolio. But to cut risk, you should stick with producers with positive cash flow even at low energy prices. Here are two stocks that meet that requirement—and pay a dividend: ENERPLUS CORP., $16.64, is a buy for aggressive investors. The company (Toronto symbol ERF; Shares o/s: 243.9 million; Market cap: $4.1 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Speculative; Dividend yield: 1.0%) produces oil and gas from properties in Western Canada—Alberta and Saskatchewan—as well as North Dakota and Montana. It also has properties in the Marcellus Shale of the eastern U.S. The company reported a 47.7% rise in output for the quarter ended December 31, 2021. That translates into an average 102,823 barrels of oil equivalent per day (63% oil and 37% natural gas), up from 69,611 barrels a year earlier. Cash…