Stockchase Opinions

Sandy McIntyre Trinidad Energy Services TDG.UN-T HOLD Feb 26, 2008

One of the best operators of the types of rigs needed to drill tight gas wells. These are high-cost wells so you need the best operators to keep costs down. Have been expanding in the US and building capacity so it is a bit of a growth story. Converting to a corporation has shaken some holders, so would Hold for 2 years until this was over.
$11.450

Stock price when the opinion was issued

oil gas field services
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BUY
Likes this one. Has gotten pretty badly beaten up. They have a good size fleet with good up-to-date rigs. Has recently bought some shares.
DON'T BUY
Just announced they are going to convert back from a trust to a corporation and they have cut their distributions. Well-run company and has grown significantly through acquisitions but the balance sheet is not that strong.
HOLD
Converting back to a corporation. What was surprising was that they had cut the distribution dramatically. If you are willing to take a 2 to 3 year view on a bet that the drilling cycle will pick up, treated as a Hold.
COMMENT
Recently converted to a common stock structure, so reduced their payout significantly for 2008. Have moved a significant amount of their business outside of Canada. Sees drilling rigs and economics much more favourable in the US than it is here. All the drilling/oil services are currently in a bit of a head wind.
SELL
Expect it will still drop some more. Fortunately they are outside of Canada.
DON'T BUY
(Caller's comments; Going back to a corporation. Will be paying a 6% dividend and moving a lot of their operations to the US.) One of the first test cases of conversion from a trust. Drilling in Canada is really a problem right now. When gas prices come down, drilling contractors get laid off. US is a highly competitive market and while they may have better rigs, results of a move there is yet to be seen. A good name, but wouldn't be backing up the truck.
RISKY
Has been in a downtrend and is hoping that a bit of a bottom is forming. If you buy, have a stoploss at its last low. Very good one for short-term speculation.
PAST TOP PICK
(Top Pick May 08/09, 25.5% capital gain) Trinidad Energy 7.75% 07/31/2012. They were a busted income trust.
WEAK BUY

This is one of the newer rig fleets, so he thinks it is quite attractive. Also, they are more of a drilling company, as opposed to a fracing company. A global company with rigs in Australia as well as Canada and the US. He would classify this as a cautious Buy. Historically between now and the end of March is a good time to be in these.