Are Glencore PLC, Genel Energy And Xcite Energy Limited Set To Soar?

Is now a good time to buy these 3 resources stocks? Glencore PLC (LON: GLEN), Genel Energy (LON: GENL) and Xcite Energy Limited (LON: XEL)

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

One of the challenges of investing in resources companies is that earnings visibility is very poor. Certainly, a company operating in that space can become hugely efficient, keep costs to a minimum, keep debt levels low and diversify but, ultimately, profitability is mostly dependent upon the price of the commodity that they sell. As such, even though output of various commodities has increased across the resources sector, profitability is still heavily down.

This, then, is a problem which is omnipresent in the oil and gas and mining sectors. However, with the price of these commodities having fallen so heavily, it has been brought into much sharper focus and, once again, investors are very aware that external factors matter greatly when it comes to investing in resources companies.

However, the key component of investing in resources companies remains the same as when commodity prices were much higher. In other words, investors require a margin of safety so that if profitability disappoints, there is a degree of share price support, and if it beats guidance then there is scope for an upward movement in the company’s share price.

One stock that has a very wide margin of safety is FTSE 100 mining stock Glencore (LSE: GLEN). It is forecast to increase its earnings by around 50% next year and, if this level of growth is met, it would mean that Glencore trades on a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of just 11. This indicates that, even though the outlook for the wider mining sector is poor, there is still considerable upward rerating potential on offer via Glencore.

In addition, Glencore also has a yield of 6.9%, which is among the highest in the FTSE 100. Certainly, there is a good chance that the level of shareholder payouts will be cut over the medium term – especially if Glencore fails to produce the earnings figures that are being expected. However, even if dividends are halved, Glencore is likely to remain a relatively appealing income stock with a wide margin of safety.

Similarly, Iraq/Kurdistan-focused oil and gas producer Genel Energy (LSE: GENL) may have a very challenging short term outlook, but its valuation appears to adequately take this into account. Like Glencore, it trades on a relatively low forward P/E ratio, with Genel’s rating currently standing at just 12.2. This indicates that the potential challenges involving the persistent military conflict in the region as well as delays in receiving monies owed for past sales are factored into the company’s current share price. That’s because, with a strong management team and a very high quality asset base, Genel Energy could be worth a lot more than is currently the case.

Meanwhile, Xcite Energy (LSE: XEL) continues to suffer from declining investor sentiment. Evidence of this can be seen in its share price performance in 2015, with it being down 11% year-to-date. Looking ahead, a low oil price environment could work for Xcite, since it is likely that costs across the industry will fall in line with reduced demand and, for an exploration play such as Xcite, this seems to be a major positive.

However, it still has a decent amount of debt that needs to be serviced and, while its asset base is somewhat appealing, it may struggle to spark a significant improvement in investor sentiment over the medium term. As such, and while it is a stock to watch, it may be worth waiting for a keener share price before buying a slice of Xcite Energy.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Peter Stephens has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

Prediction: 12 months from now, £5,000 invested in Tesla stock could be worth…

Tesla stock has endured a miserable year so far, falling by 29%. Muhammad Cheema takes a look at how it…

Read more »

Investing Articles

See what £10,000 invested in Tesla shares at their mid-December peak is worth today 

As the world absorbs the full scale of Donald Trump's tariffs, Tesla shares are reeling. Investors who bought the stock…

Read more »

Hand flipping wooden cubes for change wording" Panic " to " Calm".
Dividend Shares

2 ‘safe’ LSE dividend stocks to consider as global markets sell off

As global markets experience high levels of volatility due to economic uncertainty, investors are piling into these ‘safe-haven’ dividend stocks.

Read more »

Investing Articles

US stock market rout: an unmissable opportunity for investors?

His tech-heavy portfolio has been smashed by Trump’s tariffs. However, Dr James Fox believes there could be some opportunities in…

Read more »

Investing Articles

After a 13% ‘Trump tariff’ fall, is the Barclays share price too cheap to miss?

Does the Barclays share price fall mean we should all panic and run screaming from the stock market? Nah, of…

Read more »

Mature Caucasian woman sat at a table with coffee and laptop while making notes on paper
Investing Articles

2 investment trusts to consider for a Stocks and Shares ISA

These two investment trusts have a different focus -- but our writer sees both as worth considering, one more for…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Deutsche Bank reiterates Buy rating on 9.6% yielding FTSE 250 stock that was “most shorted in UK”

Our writer investigates why a major broker remains optimistic about a FTSE 250 stock that was once the most shorted…

Read more »

Investing Articles

2 things to remember when stock markets are turbulent

US trade policy has rattled the stock markets in New York, London and elsewhere. Our writer outlines a couple of…

Read more »