A Big Upgrade for Delta Petroleum

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More top-performing CAPS members are bullish on Delta Petroleum (Nasdaq: DPTR) these days, enough to upgrade it from the two- and three-star rank it has bounced between for months to a more formidable four stars. A total of 285 members have given their opinion on the independent oil and gas firm, with many of them offering analysis and commentary explaining the recent optimism.

Like many other energy companies, Colorado-based Delta Petroleum has been forced to deal with lower commodity prices and has been working to adjust to the current environment. The company has cut costs, worked with its creditors to stave off certain actions, and joined others like Valero Energy (NYSE: VLO), Stone Energy (NYSE: SGY), and ATP Oil & Gas (Nasdaq: ATPG) in issuing more shares. It raised nearly $250 million a few months back to help with liquidity and get it back on track.

Despite the enormous dilution from the recent offering, many CAPS members think that a leadership change and some fresh influence on the board will also help. Kirk Kerkorian, who also has a major stake in MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM), recently increased his stake in Delta through his Tracinda investment firm, nominated some board members, and has shown signs that he plans a more active role with the company.

Many CAPS members also have faith in the long-term outlook for natural gas and see a growing potential for its energy use. Delta Petroleum has undeveloped acreage positions in the Columbia River Basin and also the Haynesville shale in Texas, an area inhabited by the likes of Petrohawk Energy (NYSE: HK) and Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK), which have the potential to be rewarding exploratory plays.

To see what the very best CAPS analysts are saying now about Delta Petroleum -- as well as other winning stocks they are picking -- head on over to CAPS and have a look.

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Fool contributor Dave Mock recently upgraded his hairstyle to include some chic sideburns. He owns no shares of companies mentioned here. Chesapeake Energy is a Inside Value pick. The Fool owns shares of Chesapeake Energy. The Fool's disclosure policy tapped the legal skills of its Uncle Louie for help dealing with an embarrassing run-in with mall security.

Comments from our Foolish Readers

Help us keep this a respectfully Foolish area! This is a place for our readers to discuss, debate, and learn more about the Foolish investing topic you read about above. Help us keep it clean and safe. If you believe a comment is abusive or otherwise violates our Fool's Rules, please report it via the Report this Comment Report this Comment icon found on every comment.

  • Report this Comment On July 31, 2009, at 12:22 PM, juanensalada wrote:

    I can't believe how worthless this advice is that the Fool is giving about Delta Petroleum. There is no background on why there was a leadership changes, the distribution of the Board, why KK/Tracinda bought into DPTR more, what Delta has done to reduce operating costs, et al. Really, there are too many things to mention for why this summary of advice enlightens so very little. Your 285 jawboning boneheads don't have me convinced that they are right. Fool is right.

  • Report this Comment On August 06, 2009, at 11:24 AM, juanensalada wrote:

    DTPR announces production level downgrade today. Hmm, so why is this stock recommended by The Fool? Is the recommendation Foolish?

  • Report this Comment On August 06, 2009, at 11:46 PM, davesites wrote:

    y i ask y

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Related Tickers

12/3/2009 12:50 PM
DPTR $0.88 Up +0.00 +0.09%
Delta Petroleum Co… CAPS Rating: ****
SGY $18.79 Down -0.39 -2.03%
Stone Energy Corp CAPS Rating: ****
HK $21.65 Down -0.35 -1.57%
Petrohawk Energy C… CAPS Rating: ****
ATPG $16.26 Up +0.15 +0.93%
ATP Oil & Gas Corp CAPS Rating: *****
MGM $10.97 Up +0.07 +0.64%
MGM Mirage CAPS Rating: **
VLO $16.12 Up +0.11 +0.66%
Valero Energy Corp CAPS Rating: *****
CHK $23.26 Down -0.15 -0.62%
Chesapeake Energy… CAPS Rating: *****

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