TFSA Investors: Is 2019 the Year of the Natural Gas Comeback?

The natural gas industry is at a crossroads, and we can expect contrarian investors in natural gas stocks such as Nuvista Energy Ltd. (TSX:NVA) will benefit greatly from their bet.

| More on:

Are you a contrarian investor?

Do you want to position yourself to make exponential returns in your TFSA portfolio?

If you have the time and nerves to sit back and wait for explosive returns, consider natural gas stocks and position yourself for an eventual recovery by adding a few natural gas stocks to your TFSA.

Natural gas prices here in Canada are dismal, as Alberta natural gas prices (AECO) continue to trade at wide discounts to natural gas around the world.

But considering that natural gas is the transition fuel of choice as the world transitions to clean, environmentally friendly energy, it appears there is a strong investment case here, assuming that Canada gets its act together.

And it appears this is slowly happening.

TransCanada is moving forward with its $1.5 billion NOVA Gas Transmission system expansion.

Construction has begun on Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s $40 billion LNG Canada facility.

And a group of Canadian natural gas companies, including Peyto Exploration and Development (TSX:PEY), are getting together to get the ball rolling on funding and bringing LNG projects to life.

Here are two natural gas stocks that will move significantly higher when the natural gas cycle turns. In the meantime, they are surviving.

Nuvista Energy (TSX:NVA)

Nuvista stock has gotten crushed since its highs of last year, losing half of its value. And with a 60% natural gas weighting, we can easily see why.

But since December 2018 lows, we are seeing some life with Nuvista stock rising 39%.

And while Nuvista is certainly a contrarian’s stock in an industry that is at cyclical lows, it is trading at value prices and has massive upside when the cycle turns.

Fundamentally, the company is on a roll, and its exposure to the very prolific Montney resource play is expected to continue to drive strong results in the next few years. We can expect strong production growth of almost 20% this year, and the company is achieving a more than 30% growth in cash flow per share.

Peyto

Since 2010, Peyto’s production has increased from roughly 20,000 boe per day to almost 120,000 boe per day.

With high-quality, low-cost assets, Peyto really has an operational advantage, although we could not tell by looking at its stock price performance.

Peyto stock has also pretty much been killed and hit lows of $6.66 in December 2018. Since then, the stock has stabilized, as the company moves on after a dividend cut that got its cash flow books in order.

To combat weak natural gas pricing, Peyto is increasing production of higher-margin liquids, and this will help improve results while the company waits for natural gas pricing to strengthen.

So, in 2019, cash flows should look better, as 20% of volumes will be exposed to U.S. natural gas pricing and as the company has shifted drilling focus to liquids.

Peyto stock pays a 3.49% dividend yield.

Final thoughts

Whether 2019 is the year of the natural gas comeback remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: there are glimmers of hope that a comeback is coming soon.

Fool contributor Karen Thomas owns shares of NUVISTA ENERGY LTD. and PEYTO EXPLORATION AND DVLPMNT CORP.

More on Dividend Stocks

Piggy bank with word TFSA for tax-free savings accounts.
Dividend Stocks

Use a TFSA to Earn $500 a Month With No Tax

Earning $500 a month tax-free through the TFSA is a realistic goal for many Canadians.

Read more »

dividends can compound over time
Dividend Stocks

1 Magnificent TSX Dividend Stock Down 25% to Buy and Hold for Decades

This TSX dividend giant could reward patient investors with decades of growth and income.

Read more »

Business success of growth metaverse finance and investment profit graph concept or development analysis progress chart on financial market achievement strategy background with increase hand diagram
Dividend Stocks

5 TSX Dividend Stocks to Hold for the Next Decade

Are you looking for dividend stocks that can last a decade or more to come? These are five top TSX…

Read more »

Man holds Canadian dollars in differing amounts
Dividend Stocks

5 Canadian Stocks I’d Buy If I Wanted Instant Income

These Canadian stocks have durable payout history and are supported by fundamentally strong businesses with resilient earnings.

Read more »

top TSX stocks to buy
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian Stocks That Could Outperform if Growth Stays Soft

Soft growth can still reward investors, if you own businesses with durable demand, solid finances, and income while you wait.

Read more »

engineer at wind farm
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 1 Top Canadian Stock Worth Buying With $7,000

An outperforming, defensive dividend stock is worth buying with $7,000 for a TFSA portfolio.

Read more »

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund
Dividend Stocks

The #1 Index Fund I’d Hold in My Portfolio Forever — No Hesitation

Anchor your portfolio forever with the XDIV ETF – a low-cost ETF that delivered 13.6% in annual returns and pays…

Read more »

Train cars pass over trestle bridge in the mountains
Dividend Stocks

A Reasonably Priced Safety Stock That Canadian Retirees Might Want to Know About

CN Rail (TSX:CNR) is starting to get too cheap to pass up for value investors.

Read more »