Ninepoint Energy Fund Market View

March 8, 2020

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After the disastrous Friday meeting which essentially resulted in the dissolution of OPEC+ (ie. Russia leaving the cartel saying that producers were free to “pump at will” as of April 1st) things have escalated rather dramatically. Yesterday afternoon Saudi Aramco priced its April barrels well below market (essentially discounting their oil by as much as $10/bbl below various benchmarks...a near historic move) while at the same time “sources” said production could increase from 9.7MM Bbl/d to as much as 11MM Bbl/d. At face value they are basically burning down the house. In a matter of days Saudi Arabia has gone from championing for a 1.5MM Bbl/d incremental cut as a means of offsetting the as-of-yet unquantifiable demand destruction resulting from the coronavirus outbreak to a scorched earth policy of flooding the market with unnecessary production. At face value, Russia and Saudi Arabia have just entered into a price war.

Given that both Russia and Saudi Arabia are hugely reliant on oil sales (80% and 90% of state revenues respectively) having the oil price crash achieves nothing and these escalations cannot be logically explained. While articles suggest that Russia is targeting US shale producers the reality is that US shale production was already imploding. Permian production was set to go negative on a year-over-year basis as of July/August without a meaningful activity pickup and capital discipline is now largely enshrined in the ethos of the industry. The days of hyper growth are over. Under normalized demand growth (ie. post coronavirus) this year was to be the first where US shale production was to not fully satisfy global demand growth allowing for the gradual reduction of OPEC+’s curtailment (and result in nil spare capacity in 2-3 years time).

Saudi’s weekend actions are intended to cause maximum pain in the shortest time period possible. Is this an extreme negotiating tactic to bring all parties back to the table? Only time will tell but even at current oil pricing ($40WTI) all parties are suffering tremendously.

With energy stocks already at all-time lows it is challenging to quantify how much further downside exists (Saudi Aramco is -9% right now for perspective). The energy market is facing an unprecedented level of uncertainty...demand is being temporarily impacted by a virus while OPEC+ has just unexpectedly pivoted 180 degrees in a matter of days. Under any normalized oil price ($55-$60) valuations were already at their lowest in history. With that said, pragmatically speaking both the oil price and oil stocks are likely to aggressively sell off tomorrow.

From a positioning perspective we are currently 98% weighted in oil producers with a 91% exposure to Canada. Most of our companies are well hedged this year (8 of our 10 holdings are on average 48% hedged at ~$59/bbl) and none have any short-term liquidity concerns (2 of the most financially levered extended their debt maturities out to 2027 vs. 2021/22). All holdings can weather the coming storm.

We will keep you updated on our thoughts over the coming days and this clearly remains a very fluid situation. Russia has a limited ability to ramp production as they were chronic cheaters and are only ~200k bbl/d below their recent highs...Saudi Arabia is driving the bus at the moment. They alone will determine how this ends.

Eric Nuttall
Partner, Senior Portfolio Manager

Ninepoint Partners

Ninepoint Energy Fund - Compounded Returns1

1MTH YTD 3MTH 6MTH 1YR 3YR 5YR 10YR 15YR Inception
FUND -12.9% -30.9% -16.6% -3.9% -23.5% -27.1% -17.5% -7.8% -5.2% -1.5%
INDEX -11.2% -21.0% -11.6% -6.6% -24.2% -13.9% -9.7% -5.9% -1.9% 0.2%

1 All returns and fund details are a) based on Series F units; b) net of fees; c) annualized if period is greater than one year; d) as at February 29, 2020; e) 2004 annual returns are from 04/15/04 to 12/31/04. The index is 100% S&P/TSX Capped Energy TRI and is computed by Ninepoint Partners LP based on publicly available index information.

The Fund is generally exposed to the following risks. See the prospectus of the Fund for a description of these risks: concentration risk; credit risk; currency risk; cybersecurity risk; derivatives risk; exchange traded funds risk; foreign investment risk; inflation risk; interest rate risk; liquidity risk; market risk; regulatory risk; securities lending, repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions risk; series risk; short selling risk; small capitalization natural resource company risk; specific issuer risk; tax risk.

Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the “Funds”). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), other charges and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The indicated rate of return for series F units of the Fund for the period ended February 29, 2020 is based on the historical annual compounded total return including changes in unit value and reinvestment of all distributions and does not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any unitholder that would have reduced returns. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not resident in Canada should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Fund may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.

The opinions, estimates and projections (“information”) contained within this report are solely those of Ninepoint Partners LP and are subject to change without notice. Ninepoint Partners makes every effort to ensure that the information has been derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, Ninepoint Partners assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages, whether direct or indirect, which arise out of the use of this information. Ninepoint Partners is not under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein. The information should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment. Please contact your own personal advisor on your particular circumstances. Views expressed regarding a particular company, security, industry or market sector should not be considered an indication of trading intent of any investment funds managed by Ninepoint Partners. Any reference to a particular company is for illustrative purposes only and should not to be considered as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell nor should it be considered as an indication of how the portfolio of any investment fund managed by Ninepoint Partners is or will be invested. Ninepoint Partners LP and/or its affiliates may collectively beneficially own/control 1% or more of any class of the equity securities of the issuers mentioned in this report. Ninepoint Partners LP and/or its affiliates may hold short position in any class of the equity securities of the issuers mentioned in this report. During the preceding 12 months, Ninepoint Partners LP and/or its affiliates may have received remuneration other than normal course investment advisory or trade execution services from the issuers mentioned in this report.

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