Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (ETP)

Natural gas prices are currently very depressed, but market forces will undoubtedly change that over time. NG can be used to make hydrogen, or electricity or burned directly in vehicles, making it an alternative if oil prices jump significantly. The currend dividend yield is 8.19%, better than most high grade bonds, and has significant upside potential. It is also potentially a hedge against inflation.

jbk - 49

Nice long term investment that I belive isn't very risky. This would be a nice stock to buy on dips with profits from breakout small cap stocks.

Reasons to buy
1. The only thing better then Natural Gas is a NG pipeline.
2. ETP is an MLP which makes you money as long as the stock price doesn't go down.
3. Less risky then some small caps

No matter the price of gas, it still has to flow through the pipes. ETP is a winner and will be even a bigger one when gas prices start ot go up.

Total sales in 2004 were $2.48 billion, then jumped to $6.17 billion, followed by $7.8 billion. In 2007, they fell to $6.8 billion only to bounce back to $9.3 billion last year. This year, the consensus from 8 analysts is for $6 billion, then $6.9 billion in 2010.

Also a Morningstar 5* pick

Their large dividend and the steady income from their simple business modle should keep them up.

spear pick

ETP is a master limited partnership with energy storage & transmission assets in place. They pay a great dividend also, 90% of which is treated a return of capital. Tax is only due on 10% of the dividend. The rest reduces your cost basis--yes--but only when and if you sell it. Others similar stocks I have positions in are: Kinder Morgan(KMP), EEP, EPD and NuStar(NS). None of these companies has ever reduced a dividend and, indeed, they are required by law pay out a high percentage of DCF as "partnership distributions." They tend to fluctuate with the price of oil&gas, but there is no basis for the variance: They own the "toll roads" for moving those commodities.

What an incredible investment. That is a hefty and consistently rising yield. The yield itself is far superior to the S&P and the share price has consistently outperformed the S&P over virtually anytime period.

Our reliance on natural gas as a nation is only going to grow and these guys don't have any real exploration risk as they are earning profits on the transmission. As long as the gas is flowing then they're making money.

Only drawbacks that I can see are the fact that the business is pretty cap ex intensive, but they don't seem to have any trouble accessing the debt markets, even in their present state of dysfunction.

I'm pretty involved in direct investing in natural gas partnerships, too, and let me tell you, they are in all the right regions of the country, blanketing the big shale plays all over Texas. That is where all the big growth in gas production is coming from over the next 5-10 years.

I have thousands of dollars invested in this company, I am banking on this one.

(1) Nice yield (~8.5%) in flat market lets me beat market, but

(2) Beating S&P 500 (by 20% !) during the last 12 months, so maybe momentum is on my side.

(3) A 5-star TMF rating.

(4) A Value Line pick.

(5) Natural gas will recover and ETP has a nice propane business for those in -- or headed for -- the boonies!

Dave (not headed for the boonies)

An energy stock with a great dividend. I think dividend paying stocks right now are very important. Also, given that energy is one sector of the economy that cannot really contract I like energy stocks right now and for the next few years.

DIV,RATING,TAX PREFERENCE.

Natural gas and their PIPELINES HAVE A GOOD FUTURE

RL purchased at 38.95

This company transports natural gas, which is bound to grow under Obama. Hopefully, the company will not suffer too much if the economy continues to stink.

Natural gas will become increasing important under the Obama administration as a way to reduce our carbon footprint. ETP is pipeline company which transports natural gas and gets paid regardless of NG's price. Given the ~ 8% yield and beaten down stock price, ETP should outperform the S&P on a Total Return basis.

Again another company with short term possible cash issues but long term fundamentals are there, they earn a very respectable 25% ROE and easily can handle paying the dividend, now of course if the price of oil goes lower that may be different. Again the dividend is nice and they pay you ten percent to wait. I know that if it goes lower I would be selling. I would risk at least twice the multiple in the event of a little doward pressure.

One of my long term picks. Good dividend play. Natural Gas will be more important as an energy source going forward.