not vested
F-Rated Duds to Ditch: PetroChina Company (PTR)
Ditch It Because: Volatile oil prices
PetroChina Company Limited (ADR) (NYSE:PTR) is a classic example of how the word China makes everything all right.
The Chinese economy is not in any better condition than any other developing economy. And there is renewed talk that oil can fall from its $50 range back to the low $40s. That hurts producers like China where oil is more expensive to get out of the ground.
Also, a recent report shows that U.S. inventories were not drawn down as much as expected in recent weeks. That’s a troubling sign because we are in the summer driving season. This means people — and businesses — are using less gas, which means there’s less shipping of goods and travel around the country.
All this spells even more trouble for PTR. Right now, investors have been whistling past the graveyard and expecting China’s economy to pivot and PTR will be a big winner. That’s why the stock is basically flat year to date.
But in March, PTR reported profits were down 67%, the lowest figures since 1999. It’s 4.3% dividend is no reason to be optimistic about this stock.
Source: Investor Place
