Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD) announced approval by the board of directors of its general partner to hike quarterly cash distribution.
The fourth-quarter 2018 distribution of 43.5 cents per common unit, which will be paid to limited partners, represents a year-over-year and sequential hike of 2.4% and 0.6%, respectively. With the bump-up in quarterly distribution, the partnership has set the record of rising distributions for 58 straight quarters. Enterprise Products has also raised distributions for 20 years in a row.
The hiked distribution is expected to be paid out on Feb 8, 2019, to unitholders of record as of Jan 31, 2019. This consistent distribution hike reflects Enterprise Products’ strong midstream operations, backed by long-term pipeline transportation contracts with shippers. Notably, the partnership has $38 billion of organic growth projects, which also ensure handsome distributions in the future.
Headquartered in Houston, TX, Enterprise Products is a leading midstream energy player with oil, gas and refined products pipeline networks spreading across 50,000 miles. Investors should know that the partnership is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2018 results on Jan 31, 2019, before the opening bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the partnership’s quarterly earnings is pegged at 50 cents.
Currently, Enterprise Products carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Meanwhile, prospective players in the energy space that are worth considering are Unit Corporation (NYSE:UNT) , Shell (LON:RDSa) Midstream Partners, L.P. (NYSE:SHLX) and Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. (NYSE:BCEI) . While Bonanza carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), Unit and Shell Midstream Partners sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Bonanza surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters, the average positive earnings surprise being 12.9%.
Unit Corp surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters, the average positive earnings surprise being 21.3%.
Shell Midstream will likely post earnings growth of 27.5% in 2019.
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