Short-duration bonds of Chesapeake Energy (CHK, Financial), such as the 7.250% bonds maturing in 2018, were purchased at substantial discounts to par to yield double digit returns. Chesapeake is one of America’s largest producers of natural gas, oil, and natural gas liquids. The company’s assets span numerous U.S. shale basins. New management has navigated the cyclical downturn in oil and gas prices by cutting costs, raising liquidity, and reducing outstanding debt to the lowest level in the last nine years. Though we normally shy away from commodity price forecasting, data shows that natural gas markets have tightened due to waning production growth, expanding exports (to Mexico or via liquefied natural gas), and record domestic demand for electricity generation. Price forges its own anchor. While the company maintains an active hedging program to mitigate future commodity price fluctuations, small improvements in commodity prices can have a significantly positive impact on Chesapeake’s operating results. The company’s $4 billion revolving credit facility was recently reaffirmed and remains almost entirely untapped, which should provide flexibility for Chesapeake to renegotiate gas gathering contracts and shed additional assets to further reduce obligations.
From Bruce Berkowitz (Trades, Portfolio)'s first-half 2016 letter to shareholders.
Bruce Berkowitz Comments on Chesapeake Energy
Guru stock highlight
Aug 02, 2016
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