Gas Utility Fund Investment Strategy
Portfolio Manager Ryan Kelley describes the Fund's investment strategy, which focuses on the distribution of natural gas by owning publicly traded members of the American Gas Association.
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Ryan C. Kelley, CFAChief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager
Ryan Kelley: The Hennessy Gas Utility Fund is invested in the distribution side of natural gas. We think this is where there's great opportunity for investors. With an abundant supply in the United States, low and competitive pricing, and we believe that the use of natural gas will increase over time, and this also helps the companies that are in the Fund.
Portfolio Selection
The portfolio holdings are the same as the AGA Stock Index. The AGA is the American Gas Association, and it’s a trade organization which represents natural gas distribution companies in Washington D.C. The objective is to replicate the AGA Stock Index, so essentially own the same companies and the same percentage holdings as the Index.
Portfolio Components
There are three major buckets in the portfolio. The first is about 50% of the portfolio, and these are diversified utilities which have electricity generation, distribution, natural gas distribution. The second part is about 25% of the portfolio, and these are local distribution companies. The third part is also about 25% of the portfolio, and these are major interstate pipelines, which move natural gas between states as well as into Mexico or Canada. The first two parts of the portfolio typically grow at a slow and steady pace, and they increase dividends yearly. The last part of the portfolio is a bit more volatile, but it has added nicely to performance over time.
- In this insight:
- Energy
- Gas Utility Fund
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