Midstream Buybacks Jump In 2Q22 As C-Corps Pitch In

The second quarter of 2022 saw a noticeable uptick in equity repurchases by US and Canadian energy infrastructure companies. Midstream names in aggregate bought back $1.4 billion in equity during the quarter with C-Corps taking a more active role than in recent quarters. Many companies made significant repurchases in July as well. Today’s note recaps repurchase activity for 2Q22 and 1H22 by company and explains how buybacks can remain a tailwind for the energy infrastructure space, particularly in periods of market volatility.

Buybacks rebound significantly in 2Q22

Energy infrastructure companies spent a combined $1.4 billion ⁽¹⁾ on equity repurchases in 2Q22 – almost four times as much as the $370 million collectively spent on buybacks in 1Q22. A dozen names repurchased equity during the quarter, including three C-Corps and one MLP that each spent $100+ million. The chart below shows 1H22 repurchase activity by company. Cheniere Energy (LNG) accounted for more than a third of the total 2Q22 repurchase amount, having bought back $540 million in stock. This included a $350 million repurchase from Icahn Enterprises announced in June. Also notable, Kinder Morgan (KMI) repurchased just over $170 million in equity during the quarter after negligible repurchases in 1Q22 and no buybacks in 2021. KMI spent an additional $102 million on repurchases from the end of June through July 21 (not reflected in chart).

The table below shows the energy infrastructure companies with buyback authorizations in place, how much each has spent on repurchases, and each company’s weighting in the Alerian Midstream Energy Index (AMNA), Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index (AMZI), the Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index (AMEI), and the Alerian Midstream Energy Dividend Index (AEDW) as applicable. Constituents with buyback programs account for more than 70% of each index. Most companies have comfortable headroom when comparing their authorization to the amount that has been spent, but two names recently upped their authorizations. MPLX (MPLX) announced an incremental $1 billion buyback authorization alongside its 2Q22 results, and EnLink (ENLC) announced a doubling of its repurchase authorization to $200 million.

Repurchases remain a tailwind for the space

In periods of market volatility, energy infrastructure companies are well positioned to deploy buybacks to help support their equity prices and earn a compelling return for investors. The AMNA Index fell 18.9% from June 7 to July 6 as recession fears weighed on energy and oil prices, but little changed fundamentally for midstream companies over that time as the operating environment remained strong (read more). Clearly, many midstream companies saw this as an opportunity to repurchase equity. In addition to KMI’s July activity noted above, Western Midstream (WES) repurchased $346.1 million in units in July, including buying 10 million units from Occidental (OXY), and Targa Resources (TRGP) repurchased $30 million in shares last month. As of August 18, AMNA was just 5.4% off its June 7 relative high as dividend announcements, constructive 2Q22 earnings results, improvements in the broader equity market, and strong natural gas prices have helped buoy midstream stocks even as oil prices have been weak (read more). While the repurchase opportunity may be less compelling as equities have recovered, companies will likely continue to be active with buybacks.

Over the last five quarters, energy infrastructure companies have spent a combined $3.5 billion on equity repurchases and can build on this momentum. Buyback activity will fluctuate based on market conditions and competing capital needs, but repurchase authorizations remain an important tool for returning capital to shareholders, which should not change even with the 1% excise tax on buybacks in the Inflation Reduction Act. The excise tax does not appear to apply to MLPs and should not be a deterrent for corporations. Complementing generous dividends, buybacks are another way for companies to return capital to investors and may see greater utilization when market volatility creates enhanced opportunity.

AMZI is the underlying index for the Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) and the ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB). AMNA is the underlying index for the ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Index ETN (AMNA). AMEI is the underlying index for the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (ENFR) and the ALPS Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio (ALEFX). AEDW is the underlying index for the Alerian Midstream Energy Dividend UCITS ETF (MMLP) and the ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy High Dividend Index ETN (AMND).

⁽¹⁾ Aggregate dollar amounts include Canadian dollars for the Canadian corporations with repurchase programs – Enbridge, Gibson Energy, and Pembina Pipeline Corporation.

Disclosure: © Alerian 2022. All rights reserved. This material is reproduced with the prior consent of Alerian. It is provided as general information only and should not be taken as investment advice. Employees of Alerian are prohibited from owning individual MLPs. For more information on Alerian and to see our full disclaimer, visit Disclaimers | Alerian

Original Post