Credit

Analysts at Credit Suisse First Boston are looking for a return to positive valuations on merchant energy company stocks because of the current pricing environment and customer demand for risk management and energy services. CSFB analyst Philip Sales said Oneok (OKE) in particular should maintain consistent earnings from merchant energy operations.

Credit Suisse First Boston analysts are taking a bearish view of gas prices in 2004 but believe gas pipeline companies and local distributors (LDCs) should see higher share valuations because of the current focus of investors on balance sheet repair rather than on high commodity prices.

Credit Suisse First Boston analysts are taking a bearish view of gas prices in 2004 but believe gas pipeline companies and local distributors (LDCs) should see higher valuations because of the current focus of investors on balance sheet repair rather than on high commodity prices.

Dynegy Inc. and its subsidiaries received welcome news from Moody’s Investors Services on Thursday that their credit rating outlook improved to “developing” from “negative.” The action followed the Houston-based company’s announced refinancing and restructuring plans earlier this week (see Daily GPI, July 16).

Following Moody’s Investors Service’s announcement that it was placing the credit ratings of NiSource Inc. and its subsidiaries under review for possible downgrade, NiSource CEO Gary L. Neale fired back with a release expressing his disappointment at the action.

Following Moody’s Investors Service’s announcement that it was placing the credit ratings of NiSource Inc. and its subsidiaries under review for possible downgrade, NiSource CEO Gary L. Neale fired back with a release expressing his disappointment at the action.

Duke Energy mounted a public defense of its investment-grade credit ratings on Tuesday by laying out the details of a three-year plan (2003-2005) to sell off billions of dollars in non-core assets, cut capital expenditures and pay down as much as $5.5 billion in debt over the period.

Faced with the “deterioration of [the] financial soundness” of certain natural gas shippers on its system, Questar Pipeline Co. is proposing tariff changes that would protect itself financially in the event firm capacity is released by non-creditworthy or insolvent shippers.

Faced with the “deterioration of [the] financial soundness” of certain natural gas shippers on its system, Questar Pipeline Co. is proposing tariff changes that would protect itself financially in the event firm capacity is released by non-creditworthy or insolvent shippers.