Shares of Tesoro Corporation (TSO) hit a 52-week high of $ 28.74 on Wednesday, April 6. The independent refiner has seen its share price climb more than 100% since the end of September last year, as investors have been buying the stock for its attractive fundamentals and positive outlook.
The turnaround in fuel prices amid recent optimism about economic recovery has added to this bullish sentiment.
Tesoro, which competes in the ‘Oil Refining and Marketing’ industry with firms like Valero Energy Corp. (VLO) and Sunoco Inc. (SUN) have a Zacks #2 Rank (short-term Buy rating) in the short run.
An uptick in economic activity overseas (mainly in China and India) and prospects for higher fuel demand in the U.S. are likely to push 2011 industry margins higher than last year’s levels. Against this backdrop, we expect income from Tesoro’s refining operations to improve in 2011.
Tesoro has recently spun off a portion of its logistics business to form a master limited partnership – Tesoro Logistics LP – and expects to raise a contribution worth more than $ 200 million through an IPO. The company plans to use free cash flow and proceeds from the offering to reduce its debt-to-capitalization ratio of 38% in order to achieve investment grade rating for its debt.
Additionally, we believe Tesoro’s strategic actions – to improve its performance and competitiveness in a cost-effective manner – will drive the company’s profitable growth and boost its stock valuation.
In the near term, the company stands to benefit from its exposure to the premium margin West Coast region. Tesoro’s scale and diversification benefits from its portfolio of seven refineries add to the positive sentiment.
As such, we believe Tesoro is well positioned going forward and view it as an attractive investment.
San Antonio, Texas-based Tesoro Corp. is an independent refiner and marketer of refined petroleum products in the western U.S. The company operates in two segments: Refining and Retail.
The Refining segment manufactures and sells gasoline and gasoline-blend stocks, jet fuel, diesel fuel, and other refined products to customers, primarily in the mid-continental and the western U.S. This segment also markets liquefied petroleum gas, petroleum coke and asphalt.
SUNOCO INC (SUN): Free Stock Analysis Report
TESORO CORP (TSO): Free Stock Analysis Report
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