High Dividend Stocks Going Ex-Dividend Next Week

There are 2 dividend stocks from our High Dividend Stocks By Sector Tables, which go ex-dividend on 5/1/13: Calumet Specialty Products Partners, LP, (CLMT), and PAA Natural Gas Storage, (PAA).

CLMT is a refiner and processor of specialty hydrocarbon products, and operates six plants including operations in Northwest Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Texas and Illinois.

PAA’s business consists of the acquisition, development, operation and commercial management of natural gas storage facilities. Although PAA is listed as a Gas Utility stock on financial websites, it’s actually more of an Energy-related stock.

PAA owns and operates 3 natural gas storage facilities located in Louisiana, Mississippi and Michigan. PAA’s customers include electric utilities, local distribution companies, pipelines, natural gas producers, LNG importers, aggregators, marketers, and industrial and commercial end use customers.

Valuations: Both of these stocks are closer to the low end of their 5-year P/E range – (PNG went public in 2010, so there’s less history for it than for CLMT.)

Dividends: CLMT has a very impressive 51% dividend growth rate over the past 5 years, having raised its quarterly distributions from $.45 in 2008-2009, up to the current new $.68 payout. In fact, CLMT’s frequency of rate hikes has also increased – they raised their distributions 3 times in 2011, and 4 times in 2012, and just raised it again in the 1st quarter of 2013, to $.68 from $.65. After its 2010 IPO, PNG raised its distribution from $.21 to $.34, and then from $.35 to $.36 in 2011, where it remains currently:

Performance: Both stocks have had a strong run over the past year, especially CLMT.

Options: Although both stocks have options available, at present CLMT’s are much more compelling, particularly its cash secured puts. This strategy would make sense in light of the 93% price gains CLMT has had. This put trade offers you a 15%-plus annualized yield, and a breakeven that’s 11.55% below CLMT’s share price.

Financials: Except for its heavier debt load, CLMT’s ratios look stronger vs. its industry than PNG’s do. CLMT has an Interest Coverage ratio of 1.64. PNG has a much higher Operating Margin than its peers, and most of its ratios are in line with its industry’s averages:

Disclaimer: This article was written for informational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice.

Disclosure: The author had no positions in CLMT or PNG at the time of this writing.