Linn Energy

Gana LLP Investigates Raymond James Oil and Gas MLP Recommendations to Clients

March 7, 2016 | by Staff Attorney

The investment attorneys with Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating and representing investors who were inappropriately recommended oil and gas and commodities related investments. Investors may have potential legal remedies due to unsuitable recommendations by their broker to invest in this speculative and volatile area. Raymond James in one brokerage firm that has served as an underwriter for many master limited partnerships (MLPs) deals and whose analysts have previously given high ratings to these investments.

Jeff Saut, chief investment strategist, at Raymond James stated that his favorite MLP plays included Yorkville High Income LLP ETF (YMLP) and Yorkville High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF (YMLI). These two funds have plummeted significantly since the recommendation.

Among the individual MLPs that have suffered significant declines and now is in jeopardy of bankruptcy that was promoted by Raymond James analysts is Linn Energy (LINE) and LinnCo (LNCO). Both stocks have plummeted in value by about 98% in value over the last year. For years Raymond James analyst Keven Smith kept a “Strong Buy” rating on Linn Energy. Finally, when the stock had plummeted 50% in value with no sign of recovery Smith downgraded LinnCo to “Outperform” from “Strong Buy” and the price target to $9 from $15. Only in February 2016 when Linn Energy was on the verge of bankruptcy did Raymond James analysts drop the stock to “Underperform.”

Linn Energy (LINE) and LinnCo (LNCO) on the Verge of Bankruptcy

February 18, 2016 | by Staff Attorney

The investment attorneys with Gana Weinstein LLP continue to report on investor related losses in oil and gas and commodities related investments. Investors may have potential legal remedies due to unsuitable recommendations by their broker to invest in this speculative and volatile area.

Among the MLPs that have suffered significant declines and now is in jeopardy of bankruptcy is Linn Energy (LINE) and LinnCo (LNCO). Both stocks have plummeted in value by about 98% in value over the last year. According to the company’s website, LinnCo is a limited liability company created to enhance LINN Energy LLC ability to raise additional equity capital to execute a growth strategy. While LinnCo’s initial purpose was to own units in its affiliate in connection with the acquisition of Berry Petroleum Company, LinnCo allowed the acquisition and subsequent transfer of assets to Linn Energy. Linn Energy is a top-20 U.S. independent oil and natural gas company and owns approximately 7.3 Tcfe(2) of proved reserves in the Rockies, California, Hugoton Basin, Mid- Continent, Permian Basin, east Texas and north Louisiana, Michigan, Illinois and South Texas.

Now according to analysts, Linn Energy and LinnCo announced a plan to “explore strategic alternatives related to its capital structure.” Simply put, it appears that Linn Energy is out of money and has drawn down the last of its credit facility with only $919 million left out of $3.6 billion line for general corporate purposes.

Gana LLP Investigates Investor Losses in Linn Energy and Energy XXI

September 8, 2015 | by Staff Attorney

The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating brokerage firms that placed investors in oil and gas related investments and who have suffered losses as a result. Two companies that appear vulnerable include Linn Energy (Stock Symbol: LINE) and Energy XXI Ltd. (Stock Symbol: EXXI). While these companies have not yet declared bankruptcy their stock prices have fallen by well over 90% in the last year.

Many oil companies rely on borrowing lines of credit from banks in order to make investments in their business operations. Some of these lines of credit will come up for renewal on October 1. At which time, according to TheStreet.com banks will look back at the last twelve months to the average price of oil which stood at about $45. This will cause the banks then to reduce the amount of money available to borrow in half compared to a year ago. Due to the reduced credit and access to capital it will become very difficult for companies like Linn Energy and Energy XXI to continue investing and drilling.

For instance Linn Energy and Energy XXI have already exhausted more than 75% of the credit available to them and may be forced in bankruptcy.