With integrated energy group, Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) set to report interim results on February 18 and with the company's share price under extreme pressure there where two important developments which occurred last Friday which shareholders need to be aware of.
Firstly, Origin announced the sale of its Mortlake Terminal Station to AusNet Services (ASX: AST) for $110 million. The terminal station is utilised for the export of electricity generated at Origin's gas-fired Mortlake Power Station with AusNet already having responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the facility.
The announced sale of the terminal station forms part of the asset divestment program previously announced in September last year, and which is targeting asset sales totalling $800 million.
Secondly, Origin has made changes to how it will report divisional results. Investors will need to be aware of these changes when they analyse the upcoming half yearly profit results.
The primary change which shareholders need to be aware of is the decision to combine the Exploration and Production division with the LNG businesses into a single segment called Integrated Gas.
With nearly all oil and gas stocks underperforming the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) over the past six months there is certainly no shortage of beaten-up energy stocks available to investigate.
Amongst the majors, in the past six months Origin's share price is down over 60%, while Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) has fallen nearly 50%, and Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) has lost close to 20%.
While there is no rule or requirement that the share prices of these large companies must rebound, given the cyclical nature of the oil market, it is likely that there are some investment opportunities lurking within the sector.
