The largest contributor to performance for the fiscal year was Apache (NYSE:APA), a global oil and gas exploration company, which returned 66%. Oil prices have been volatile over the past year, but have rebounded in 2016 thus far. Apache has specifically benefitted from solid quarterly results that have demonstrated improved capital efficiency, including a 45% decline in North American well costs compared to 2014 levels. The company also announced the discovery of a new resource play in the Permian Basin called “Alpine High.” Initial results indicate that Apache has discovered a high quality resource at a low cost. This increased our estimate of intrinsic value and also increased our confidence in management. In our view, Apache has the balance sheet and asset quality to survive continued volatility in oil and gas prices, and we like how the management team is preserving and growing per share value during the commodity price downturn.
From Bill Nygren (Trades, Portfolio) and David Herro (Trades, Portfolio)'s Oakmark Global Select Fund third quarter 2016 commentary.
