In the spirit of World Cup competition, we're holding our own tournament in search of the Better Stock Today. We're pitting 32 companies against each other, and you, the reader, will determine the winner.
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners takes on Melco Crown Entertainment for this first round-robin matchup in our search for the better stock today.
Joel South, energy analyst at The Motley Fool, thinks Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (NYSE: KMP) is the better investment given its place as the world's premier midstream MLP. Kinder Morgan Energy Partners offer a substantial 7.1% distribution yield, but more importantly, the large pipeline operator continues to grow its payments by strict capital discipline and structuring contracts so 93% of all revenue is absent commodity risk. With $641 billion expected to be spent in the North American midstream market in the next 20 years, Kinder Morgan Energy Partners could outperform the broad market year in and year out.
Consumer goods analyst Sean O'Reilly makes the case for Melco Crown Entertainment (MLCO 0.64%) in this matchup. Sean believes that while growth fears in the company's main market of Macau have led to a pullback in the stock, the opening of its City of Dreams Manila resort later this year, coupled with possible Japanese gaming legalization, mean Melco Crown should win this round of the competition.
Vote here to determine the winner of this match and sound off in the comments. Check back to Fool.com to see who advances in the tournament.
