U.S. Midstream Overview
The Midstream Sector
The midstream segment of the oil & gas industry is primarily involved with the transportation (pipelines) and storage of oil and natural gas.
Natural Gas Transmission
FERC regulated interstate and market-based intrastate pipelines. Minimal price sensitivity or basis sensitivity with re-contracting exposure as the primary risk.
Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)
Facilities involved in natural gas liquefaction and the transportation of LNG.
Liquids / Crude Pipelines
Long haul pipelines and storage - lower commodity price sensitivity with some exposure to basis differentials.
Gathering & Processing (G&P)
Close to the wellhead with volumes sensitive to exploration and production activity; some commodity price sensitivity.
Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs)
MLPs are U.S. midstream oil & gas service providers that are incorporated as limited partnerships. This entity structure allows them to avoid paying corporate income tax and can provide tax-sheltered distributions to their LPs.
Assets with Intrinsic Value
MLPs own and operate assets related to the transportation, storage, and processing of oil & gas, making them essential to energy infrastructure.
Income Streams
In order to remain structured as a MLP, a company must generate 90% of its income from eligible source.
Tax Advantages
MLP distributions are usually not subject to corporate income taxes and are thus only taxed once – at the investor level. MLP distributions are typically tax-deferred and treated as a return of capital, reducing the investor’s cost basis.
All data is taken from Bloomberg as of 08/31/2023. Investors cannot directly invest in an index and unmanaged index returns do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. Opinions represented are subject to change and should not be considered investment advice. For more information regarding the Midstream Overview, total return data or growth data, please reach out to us. The information is provided for illustrative purposes only.
Indicies and Terminology Used: Alerian MLP Index (AMZIX Index), Energy Select Index (IXETR Index), E&P Index (SPSIOPTR Index), Clean Energy Index (SPGTCED Index), Utility Index (UTIL Index), Bloomberg US Corporate High Yi (LF98TRUU Index), MSCI US REIT Index (RMZ Index), S&P 500 Index (SPX Index). Investors cannot directly invest in an index and unmanaged index returns do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. Yields: Yield information displayed in the chart is calculated based on Bloomberg data as of 08/31/2023. Yield information is based on Bloomberg’s Dividend Indicated Yield, which is the most recently announced gross dividend, annualized based on the dividend frequency, then divided by the current market price. Yield information for the LUACTRUU Index and LF98TRUU Index is calculated based on Bloomberg’s yield-to-maturity formula, which is the market value-weighted average yield to maturity for the index. Yield information for the LUATTRUU Index is calculated based on Bloomberg’s yield-to-worst formula, which is the market value-weighted average yield-to-worst for the index. CAGR is the compound annual growth rate. Data and Opinions: This data was prepared using sources of information generally believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions represented are subject to change and should not be considered investment advice.
Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC (ICA) is an SEC-registered investment advisor that manages exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and a series of hedge funds. The firm was formed in 2012 and is based in New York City. ICA seeks current income opportunities as a primary objective in most, but not all, of ICA's investing activities.
DISCLOSURE
This material is for informational purposes only. This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any of the securities mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts, and other forward-looking statements, that do not reflect actual results, are valid as of the date of this communication and subjare ect to change without notice. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of ICA, or its affiliates. Not for distribution to the public. Opinions represented above are subject to change and should not be considered investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The links to the fund fact sheets will provide standardized performance and risk disclosures. *30-day SEC Yield is a standardized yield calculated according to a formula set by the SEC and is subject to change. For more information please reach out to Craig Starr at Craig.Starr@icmllc.com or 212-763-8336.
Indicies Used: Treasury (LUATTRUU Index), Corporate Investment Grade (LUACTRUU Index), Preferreds (SPTREFTR Index, PFF Equity), Corporate High Yield (LF98TRUU Index). Investors cannot directly invest in an index and unmanaged index returns do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. Yields: Yield information displayed in the chart is calculated based on Bloomberg data as of 09/30/2021. Yield information is based on Bloomberg’s Dividend Indicated Yield, which is the most recently announced gross dividend, annualized based on the dividend frequency, then divided by the current market price. Yield information for the LUACTRUU Index and LF98TRUU Index is calculated based on Bloomberg’s yield to maturity formula, which is the market value weighted average yield to maturity for the index. Yield information for the LUATTRUU Index is calculated based on Bloomberg’s yield to worst formula, which is the market value weighted average yield to worst for the index. Data and Opinions: This data was prepared using sources of information generally believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions represented are subject to change and should not be considered investment advice.
FUND RISKS Investors should consider each Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus with this and other information about the Fund, please visit the Fund's webpage. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
ICAP Exchange Traded Funds (ETF): Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. An investment in the Fund may be subject to risks which include, among others, investing in equities securities, dividend paying securities, utilities, small-, mid- and large-capitalization companies, real estate investment trusts, master limited partnerships, foreign investments and emerging, debt securities, depositary receipts, market events, operational, high portfolio turnover, trading issues, active management, fund shares trading, premium/discount risk and liquidity of fund shares, which may make these investments volatile in price. Foreign investments are subject to risks, which include changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, and changes in currency exchange rates which may negatively impact the Fund's returns. Small and Medium- capitalization companies, foreign investments and high yielding equity and debt securities may be subject to elevated risks. The Fund is a recently organized investment company with no operating history. Please see prospectus for discussion of risks. Distributor, Quasar Distributors, LLC.
Preferred Stocks
PFFA Exchange Traded Funds (ETF): The value of an ETF may be more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities the ETF is designed to track. The costs of owning the ETF may exceed the cost of investing directly in the underlying securities. Preferred Stock: Preferred stocks may decline in price, fail to pay dividends, or be illiquid. Non-Diversified: The Fund is non-diversified and may be more susceptible to factors negatively impacting its holdings to the extent that each security represents a larger portion of the Fund’s assets. Short Sales: The Fund may engage in short sales, and may experience a loss if the price of a borrowed security increases before the date on which the Fund replaces the security. Leverage: When a Fund leverages its portfolio, the value of its shares may be more volatile and all other risks may be compounded. Derivatives: Investments in derivatives such as futures, options, forwards, and swaps may increase volatility or cause a loss greater than the principal investment. No Guarantee: There is no guarantee that the portfolio will meet its objective. Prospectus: For additional information on risks, please see the Fund’s prospectus.
PFFR Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF): The value of an ETF may be more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities it is designed to track. The costs of owning the ETF may exceed the cost of investing directly in the underlying securities. Preferred Stocks: Preferred stocks may decline in price, fail to pay dividends, or be illiquid. Real Estate Investments: The Fund may be negatively affected by factors specific to the real estate market, including interest rates, leverage, property, and management. Industry/Sector Concentration: A Fund that focuses its investments in a particular industry or sector will be more sensitive to conditions that affect that industry or sector than a non-concentrated Fund. Passive Strategy/Index Risk: A passive investment strategy seeking to track the performance of the underlying index may result in the Fund holding securities regardless of market conditions or their current or projected performance. This could cause the Fund’s returns to be lower than if the Fund employed an active strategy. Correlation to Index: The performance of the Fund and its index may vary somewhat due to factors such as Fund flows, transaction costs, and timing differences associated with additions to and deletions from its index. Market Volatility: Securities in the Fund may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies and general economic conditions. Price changes may be short or long term. Prospectus: For additional information on risks, please see the Fund’s prospectus.
AMZA Exchange Traded Funds (ETF): The value of an ETF may be more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities the ETF is designed to track. The costs of owning the ETF may exceed the cost of investing directly in the underlying securities. MLP Interest Rates: As yield-based investments, MLPs carry interest rate risk and may underperform in rising interest rate environments. Additionally, when investors have heightened fears about the economy, the risk spread between MLPs and competing investment options can widen, which may have an adverse effect on the stock price of MLPs. Rising interest rates may increase the potential cost of MLPs financing projects or cost of operations, and may affect the demand for MLP investments, either of which may result in lower performance by or distributions from the Fund’s MLP investments. Industry/Sector Concentration: A fund that focuses its investments in a particular industry or sector will be more sensitive to conditions that affect that industry or sector than a non- concentrated fund. Short Sales: The Fund may engage in short sales, and may experience a loss if the price of a borrowed security increases before the date on which the Fund replaces the security. Leverage: When a Fund leverages its portfolio, the value of its shares may be more volatile and all other risks may be compounded. Derivatives: Investments in derivatives such as futures, options, forwards, and swaps may increase volatility or cause a loss greater than the principal investment. MLPs: Investments in Master Limited Partnerships may be adversely impacted by tax law changes, regulation, or factors affecting underlying assets. No Guarantee: There is no guarantee that the portfolio will meet its objective.
Performance Data: Performance data quoted backtested results. Backtested Performance was derived from the retroactive application of a model developed with the benefit of hindsight. Backtested performance is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Please visit the fund webpages for performance data current to the most recent month-end and the Fund’s standard performance information. You should consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.
For PFFA, PFFR, and AMZA funds, contact VP Distributors LLC at 1-888-383-4184 or visit www.virtusetfs.com to obtain a prospectus which contains this and other information about the Fund. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing. Virtus ETF Advisers, LLC serves as the investment advisor and Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC serves as the subadviser to PFFA, PFFR and AMZA. These three funds are distributed by VP Distributors, LLC, member FINRA and subsidiary of Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The links to the fund fact sheets will provide standardized performance and risk disclosures.
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