• Entertainment
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Real Estate
  • Technology
  • Social
National Journal Community Of e-Experts
Finance 0

Reaction To ‘The Alerian Problem’

By Kurt Osterberg · On April 9, 2018

Last week’s blog, The Alerian Problem, drew a bigger than average response. It led to a useful dialogue with sell-side analysts and investors.

The shift from MLP to corporate ownership of energy infrastructure is becoming widely acknowledged. Since the FERC announcement in early March disallowing MLPs from including imputed tax expense in setting certain tariffs, corporates have handily outperformed MLPs. Although the near-term impact is likely minimal, the ruling will eventually impact some liquids pipelines as well as natural gas. It does seem likely to limit dropdowns of eligible assets from corporate owners to their MLP as well as hasten conversions to corporate ownership.

One analyst we’ve spoken to wrote of, “…strong evidence of the potential catalytic response available to partnerships that could convert…” from MLP to corporate ownership, citing the jump in Viper Energy Partners (VNOM) and Tallgrass (TEGP, TEP) since each abandoned the MLP structure.

The Alerian Problem, which specifically asks what MLP-dedicated mutual funds and ETFs will do as their index shrinks, has no easy answers. Weak relative MLP performance will not help flows which have in any case been flat for such funds, and redemptions will continue to weigh on prices, encouraging additional MLP->Corporate conversions.

MLP funds can continue to hold names that have converted to corporate status, and in conversations with investors we understand some have indicated they may do this. However, since such funds are already burdened with paying corporate taxes (see AMLP’s Tax Bondage), holding tax-paying corporate equities in a tax-paying corporate fund structure is going to strike many investors as absurd.

Therefore, such funds will be left with a choice between picking amongst a shrinking pool of names, or the nuclear option of switching indices since they’d then dump their MLPs. It’s probably best not to be the last tax-burdened MLP fund to make such a switch, nor the last fund investor to redeem from such a prospect.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Share Tweet

Kurt Osterberg

You Might Also Like

  • Finance

    STEPN Sneaker NFTs Sell For $100, Previously Worth $1200

  • Finance

    NFT Prices in Free Fall – 5 NFT Collections to Start Buying Today

  • Finance

    5 NFTs Trending on Twitter Going Cheap to Invest in Now

No Comments

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Top Finance

  • 3 Best Large-Cap Blend Mutual Funds For Enticing Returns 3 Best Large-Cap Blend Mutual Funds For Enticing Returns
  • What is Value Chain Analysis? How to Deliver Value & Gain a Competitive Advantage What is Value Chain Analysis? How to Deliver Value & Gain a Competitive Advantage
  • Hedge Funds In The US Hedge Funds In The US
  • 5 Ridiculously Useful Non-Monetary Reward Examples that Improve Employee Engagement 5 Ridiculously Useful Non-Monetary Reward Examples that Improve Employee Engagement
  • Chart: Amazon’s Dominance In Ecommerce Chart: Amazon’s Dominance In Ecommerce

New Posts

  • STEPN Sneaker NFTs Sell For $100, Previously Worth $1200

    STEPN Sneaker NFTs Sell For $100, Previously Worth $1200

    June 20, 2022
  • NFT Prices in Free Fall – 5 NFT Collections to Start Buying Today

    NFT Prices in Free Fall – 5 NFT Collections to Start Buying Today

    June 20, 2022
  • 5 NFTs Trending on Twitter Going Cheap to Invest in Now

    5 NFTs Trending on Twitter Going Cheap to Invest in Now

    June 20, 2022
  • Bill Gates – ‘NFTs & Crypto Based on Greater Fool Theory’

    Bill Gates – ‘NFTs & Crypto Based on Greater Fool Theory’

    June 20, 2022
  • Actor Seth Green Pays $300,000 to Recover his Stolen BAYC NFT

    Actor Seth Green Pays $300,000 to Recover his Stolen BAYC NFT

    June 20, 2022
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of use

Copyright © 2018-2021 NJCEE. All Rights Reserved.