2011 tax may not hurt their distributions

Article Excerpt

PENN WEST ENERGY TRUST $21.77 (Toronto symbol PWT.UN; Units outstanding: 423.2 million; Market cap: $9.2 billion; SI Rating: Extra Risk; Dividend yield: 8.3%) is the largest oil and gas trust in North America. It produces an average of 170,164 barrels of oil equivalent per day (weighted 60% to oil and 40% to natural gas). In the three months ended December 31, 2009, lower oil and gas prices pushed down revenue by 14.2%, to $831 million from $968 million. Cash flow per unit fell 31.5%, to $0.87 from $1.27. Penn West plans to spend $700 million to $850 million on capital projects this year. That’s up from $688 million in 2009. The trust will allocate 75% to 80% of these funds to oil projects. The trust pays a $0.15 monthly distribution, for an annualized yield of 8.3%. Penn West plans to convert to a conventional corporation before the end of 2011. That’s because Ottawa will start taxing income trusts on January 1, 2011. Penn West…