Best Gas Stocks To Invest In 2015

Best Gas Stocks To Invest In 2015: Apache Corporation(APA)

Apache Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids. The company has exploration and production interests in the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf Coast, east Texas, the Permian basin, the Anadarko basin, and the Western Sedimentary basin of Canada; and onshore Egypt, offshore Western Australia, offshore the United Kingdom in the North Sea, and onshore Argentina, as well as on the Chilean side of the island of Tierra del Fuego. Apache Corporation sells its natural gas to local distribution companies, utilities, end-users, integrated oil and gas companies, and marketers; and crude oil to integrated oil companies, marketing and transportation companies, and refiners. As of December 31, 2009, it had total estimated proved reserves of 1,067 million barrels of crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids, as well as 7.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The company was founded in 1954 and is based in Houston, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Arjun Sreekumar]

  In an effort to reduce debt and focus on its most profitable North American onshore operations, Houston-based Apache (NYSE: APA  ) has divested more than $8 billion worth of assets over the past year, including assets in the Gulf of Mexico shelf, a third of its stake in its Egyptian operations, natural gas assets in Canada, and all of its energy assets in Argentina. But the company is still not satisfied, recently announcing another major sale in the Gulf of Mexico.

• [By Aaron Levitt]

  In the case of PrairieSky, its 5.2 million acres are being tapped by such firms as Devon (DVN) and Apache (APA).

  For the owners of the royal trust units, they are treated to some hefty dividends. Like master limited partnerships (MLPs) and real est! ate investment Trusts (REITs), royalty trusts are designed as "pass-through entities" that get preferential tax treatment because of their business model. As such, they kick-back virtually all of what they earn in the form of distributions to shareholders. And because of that fact, these investment vehicles often yield in excess of 7%.

• [By Mike Deane]

  Apache Corp (APA) reported its first quarter earnings before the opening bell on Thursday morning, posting results that easily beat analysts’ earnings estimates

  APA's Earnings in Brief

  Apache reported first quarter revenues of $3.68 billion, lower than last year’s Q1 revenues of $3.95 billion Adjusted net income for the quarter came in at $753 million, or $1.92 per share, which is down slightly from last year’s Q1 net income of $759 million, or $1.94 per share. APA beat analysts’ estimates of $1.62 EPS on revenues of $3.56 billion.

  CEO Commentary

  Apache chairman, CEO and president G. Steven Farris had the following comments: “A record-setting performance by our Permian Region continues to drive strong overall results for the company. We remained the most active driller in onshore North America, operating an average of 82 rigs during the quarter.”

  APA's Dividend

  Apache most recently announced a dividend raise in February for its May 22 payout. The company raised its quarterly dividend to 25 cents from 20 cents. We expect the company to declare its next dividend in the coming weeks.

  Stock Performance

  Apache stock was inactive in pre-market trading. YTD, the company’s stock is up 2.67%.

  APA Dividend Snapshot

  As of Market Close on May 7, 2014

  Click here to see the complete history of APA dividends.

• [By GuruFocus]

  Arnold van den Berg did bought heavily into good miners and oil producers heavily during the first quarter. These companies include Apache (APA), Diamond Offshore Drillin! g (DO), R! andgold (GOLD), Yamada gold (AUY), Hecla Mining (HL) etc. You can see the complete list of his new buys here.

source from Top Stocks For 2015:http://www.topstocksblog.com/best-gas-stocks-to-invest-in-2015-2.html