Pick of the Oil & Gas Trusts – Buy Royalty Trusts for Rising Gas Prices

Article Excerpt

Royal trusts with natural gas exposure are up lately, as cold weather in North America has prompted natural gas prices to jump 30% so far this year, to $9.75 U.S. per million British thermal units. No one can consistently predict natural gas prices. Prices are too dependent on the weather and other volatile, unpredictable factors. However, we think that the longer-term outlook for natural gas prices remains positive. ZARGON ENERGY TRUST $22.29 (Toronto symbol ZAR.UN; SI Rating: Speculative) (403-264- 9992; www.zargon.ca; Shares outstanding: 17.7 million; Market cap: $394.5 million) has oil and gas production assets in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and North Dakota. Output is weighted 42% toward gas and 58% to oil. In the three months ended December 31, 2007, Zargon’s cash flow per unit rose 5.2%, to $1.02 from $0.97 a year earlier. Production also rose 5.1%, to 8,790 barrels of oil equivalent per day, from 8,366 barrels. Zargon’s monthly distribution of $0.18 gives the units a yield of 9.7%. The trust flows…