TMFmd19 (93.94) Submitted: 1/13/2013 11:39:22 AM : Start Price: $44.28 ETP Score: +2.71

Unlike its midstream energy MLP peers, Energy Transfer Partners (NYSE: ETP) hasn’t raised its quarterly distribution since 2008. That streak is likely coming to an end in 2013 as the company’s diversification efforts are about to pay off. Its recent acquisition of Sunoco along with its 32.4% interest in Sonoco Logistics Partners (NYSE: SXL) added a diverse portfolio of crude oil and refined product pipelines to Energy Transfers’ natural gas weighted assets.

Energy Transfer is also working on several organic growth projects in the Eagle Ford Shale that are just beginning to come online. These assets are will grow the company’s interest in the important NGL pipeline and fractionation market. In 2010 the company had no exposure to NGL’s but by the end of the year Energy Transfer’s NGL business will contribute 8% of the company’s adjusted EBITDA . Look for 2013 to be Energy Transfer’s year as both the distribution and stock should head higher as it finishes up digesting recent acquisitions and completes its organic growth projects.