Freehold Royalties Ltd (FRU.TO)

700-800 barrels per day production. Have royalties on oil/gas properties, mostly in Alberta.

One of the impediments to him buying this stock was the higher taxes the company is going to have to pay. Feels 35%-37% of cash flows could be taxable this year and therefore payout ratios go higher on the stock. Not a cheap stock, trading at about 13-14 times EBITDA to net adjusted cash flow. Also, doesn’t like the unhedged nature of their oil production. 7.7% yield.

Bought this for yield and it held in very, very well. Concerned that it seemed to be defying gravity while the rest of that group was getting hit. Trimmed back on some of his holdings. Thinks the dividend is reasonably secure. They need companies to be drilling on their land.

Gets a royalty off oil production on properties they hold. Stock is reflecting the resilience of the business model. His concern is a lack of much more upside for WTI prices. In fact, there is probably a little bit of downside. Key concern would be a big increase in US tight oil production, potentially pressuring North American oil prices. Given where oil prices are in North America, dividend is absolutely safe.

Oil/gas. Has a kind of a favourable cost structure on royalties. Pays a nice dividend. Probably okay.

Most of these types of stocks in the context of today’s natural gas prices and western Canadian oil prices, are distributing more than they should. In his view, the dividend is too high and will likely be right sized to reflect the current reality of a $20 spread under WTI and a discounted AACO (?) relative to NYMX on natural gas.

Not a huge growth opportunity but they do add royalties as they go along. Less volatile than oil/gas stocks would be. Pays a good yield of 8.3%. Well managed.

(Market Call Minute.) Doesn’t see any catalyst for upside.

Feels the dividend is reasonably secure. They derive all their revenue from other people’s drilling activity. They simply hold the royalty rights on vast acreages of land in Western Canada. Thinks it will continue to be a long-term great hold. 8.4% dividend yield.