Author: Hinds

Guest Q&A with an expert on ETF structuring where we focus discussion on the most popular ETF in the midstream sector, AMLP.

The streak is over, midstream stocks traded down for the first time in 7 weeks. But positive sentiment for energy stocks due to higher oil prices helped MLPs (and to a lesser extent broader midstream stocks) outperform utilities and the S&P 500 slightly this week.

Midstream rallied for a 6th straight week, but this week was different than the prior 5. This week’s rally was led by larger, more integrated players in the U.S. and Canada, not by gathering & processing MLPs. This week was less about bottom fishing or short covering. Broad equity market strength and a 25% oil price gain helped.

Midstream and MLPs ran their streak of positive weeks to 5, this time trading up with oil prices even as the broader equity market and utilities were negative. Late in the week, the market threw a couple of pails of cold water on the risk-on euphoria, sending midstream and MLPs lower Thursday and Friday.

Midstream is on pace for its best month ever after another big positive week. MLPs posted their 4th straight week with more than 7.5% gains, the best 4-week stretch ever (off a low base).

It was a big week for midstream again, this time better than the broad equity market, which was also up again. MLPs had their 8th best week ever, slightly better than last week’s 9.6% gain. Most of the rally came Friday when AMZ rallied 7%…

Stocks, especially utilities, roared back in a holiday-shortened week, helped by additional stimulus measures and signs of hope from daily COVID-19 statistics. Midstream stocks (and to a lesser degree MLPs) came along for the ride. The midstream performance hierarchy returned to trend this week with AMNA outpacing AMZ.

On the back of the best week for oil prices in recorded history, midstream traded up and outperformed the S&P 500 and utilities. MLPs (AMZ) outperformed broader midstream (AMNA) this week after trailing last week and last month and last year.

The market found some relief on the stimulus bill, but midstream and MLPs lagged this week. Canada midstream helped the AMNA outperform the other midstream indexes. Oil prices fell further, and the lack of places to put oil in this climate is concerning.

While the entire country worked remotely this week, the market had its worst week since 2008. This led to another week of staggering losses in midstream and oil prices. MLPs actually outperformed utilities and the DJIA this week and were roughly inline with the S&P 500 decline.