3 Big Dividend Yields From the Patch Set to Get Bigger

These oil producers are well positioned to benefit from the crisis in the Middle East as investors look for stabler energy options.

| More on:
The Motley Fool

The crisis in the Middle East is pushing the price of crude ever higher, making the short- to medium-term profitability for the majority of the players in the patch appear particularly positive. With growing profitability and stronger bottom lines on the back of this explosion in the price of crude, the sustainability of a number of monster dividends in the patch will continue to grow.

If the significant growth in crude is sustained, it is highly likely that a number of companies operating in the patch will even consider boosting their dividends as operating cash flows and profit grow.

So let’s take a closer look at three monster yields from the patch that have the ability to grow as crude prices surge higher.

This light oil heavyweight is a long-term favourite among Canadian investors

Light oil producer Crescent Point Energy (TSX: CPG)(NYSE: CPG) remains an eternal favourite among Canadian investors, with a tasty dividend yield of just under 6%. There have been some claims that this yield is unsustainable, but with higher crude prices now set to boost revenue, funds flow from operations, and ultimately, its bottom line, as well as the fact that its dividend payments represent only 52% of its funds flow from operations, it is clearly sustainable.

Earlier this year, Crescent Point acquired CanEra and its assets located in the Torquay formation in southern Saskatchewan. This acquisition has increased Crescent Point’s production by an additional 10,000 barrels of crude daily and will cause Crescent Point’s funds flow from operations to grow 6% from its original 2014 guidance, to $2.38 billion from $2.25 billion.

This news bodes well for the sustainability of Crescent Point’s dividend, and with the company having steadily grown funds flow from operations over the last eight quarters, also raises the possibility of a dividend hike.

This intermediate producer pays a tasty dividend with a low payout ratio

Another tasty yield in the patch is Bonterra Energy (TSX: BNE), which operates in the Pembina Cardium in Alberta. It is currently paying a particularly tasty dividend yield of just under 6%, which appears quite sustainable with dividend payments making up 50% of total funds flow from operations.

Like Crescent Point, Bonterra completed a range of acquisitions through 2012 and 2013 that has significantly boosted its reserves and production as they undergo further development.

The company also has an impressive drilling success rates across its acreage. All of the wells it drilled in the first quarter of 2014 are now in production, which will see second quarter and operational results for the remainder of 2014 continue to improve.

As a result, management has flagged a potential dividend hike if production volumes and funds flow from operations continue to increase. These results, along with higher crude prices, bode well for the sustainability of Bonterra’s dividends and a potential dividend hike.

A recent acquisition has the potential to transform this heavy oil producer

Another oil producer located in the patch that has just recently hiked its dividend is Baytex Energy (TSX: BTE)(NYSE: BTE). It raised its dividend by 9% to $0.22 per share after successfully completing the acquisition of light oil producer Aurora Oil and Gas, giving Baytex light oil producing liquid-rich acreage in the heart of the Eagle Ford shale in Texas.

Even after the dividend hike, Baytex has a relatively low payout ratio as a proportion of funds flow from operations of 54%, indicating that the dividend is sustainable.

This acquisition significantly boosts Baytex’s light oil production, increasing its weighting in the overall production mix by 10%, allowing Baytex to cash in on the higher prices for light crude. Furthermore, light sweet crude from the Eagle Ford shale trades at a higher price than Canadian light and heavy crude blends, which trade at a significant discount to WTI.

Considering that higher-margin liquids, including both condensates and light and medium crude, contributed around 94% of Aurora’s crude revenue, it is easy to see the game-changing nature of this transaction. This bodes well for Baytex to further grow revenue and funds flow from operations, and thus its bottom line, as crude prices continue to appreciate, increasing the sustainability of its dividend.

All three companies offer investors the ability to cash in on rising crude prices as conflict and civil tension escalate in the Middle East. This is because they are located in the stable jurisdiction of Canada and are able to boost production and take advantage of higher crude prices, all while rewarding investors with a sustainable dividend offering a tasty yield.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Matt Smith does not own shares of any companies mentioned.

More on Investing

Man data analyze
Bank Stocks

Should You Buy TD Stock While it’s Below $75?

TD Bank just plunged on its fiscal Q4 2024 earnings news. Is TD stock now oversold?

Read more »

money goes up and down in balance
Dividend Stocks

Invest $10,000 in This Dividend Stock for $784 in Passive Income

A top-notch dividend stock can add security and stability for any investor, and this energy option is one of the…

Read more »

a man relaxes with his feet on a pile of books
Stocks for Beginners

The Smartest Growth Stocks to Buy With $2,000 Right Now

Got $2,000 of cash to invest? There are always opportunities in the market. Here are three high quality businesses to…

Read more »

The TFSA is a powerful savings vehicle for Canadians who are saving for retirement.
Investing

TFSA Investors: Where to Invest $7,000 Before the Year Ends

These TSX stocks offer promising growth potential, driven by their presence in rapidly expanding industries and market segments.

Read more »

people relax on mountain ledge
Dividend Stocks

Here’s the Average Canadian TFSA and RRSP at Age 40

If you're an investor needing extra passive income to bridge the gap for retirement, you're not alone. And this stock…

Read more »

ways to boost income
Dividend Stocks

CRA Alert: Tax Brackets to Increase by 2.7% in 2025

Holding the iShares S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index Fund (TSX:XIC) in a TFSA is a great way to avoid entering a…

Read more »

Digital background depicting innovative technologies in (AI) artificial systems, neural interfaces and internet machine learning technologies
Tech Stocks

Best Canadian AI Stocks to Buy Now

Canadian AI stocks like Celestica continue to experience momentum as the industry is still in early stages of growth.

Read more »

how to save money
Dividend Stocks

Top Canadian Stocks to Buy Right Now With $5,000

If you have a windfall of $5,000, few stocks out there are offering up the growth that these three do.

Read more »