Sunday Kingdoms and Princesses

By Paul Sankey Published on June 2, 2024 at 1:55 PM

Summer Greetings, Mexico and India elections culminate today in one of the busiest democratic years in history – the greatest in terms of number of voters. Incredible positive really. Violence in emerging markets/ Mexico and the limits on Indian growth because of democracy are two mega-themes. People want to live in Fascist States? Former case, we are expecting a major global leader assassination or deposal; we can only speculate on who and what impact in …

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US E&P M&A: Gobbler’s Knob – Again

By Paul Sankey Published on June 1, 2024 at 12:27 PM

“That must mean we’re up here at Gobbler’s Knob, waiting for the forecast from the world’s most famous weatherman, Punxsutawney Phil.” Phil Connors (Bill Murray), Groundhog Day (1993) We are back to writing about E&P M&A … again. Our conclusions are broadly unchanged: Big companies are being incentivized by the market to take over the small, but with an evolution on the margin that finds asset quality now of equal importance to valuation; we are …

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COP Buying Marathon Oil 15% Premium All Stock

By Paul Sankey Published on May 29, 2024 at 7:55 AM

First thought is not only Devon, as always the bridesmaid, but ever the bridesmaid to ConocoPhillips, who trumped them for Shell’s Permian asset package (~$9bn) and now announces the takeover of Marathon Oil. Devon was seen as in pole position to take over MRO; these are multi-basin deals and the best first for MRO were COP or Devon. Second thought, good news to get a decent premium back in oil deals. “It shows a decent …

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