June 14, 2005
“New record high long-term oil futures”
In recent weeks the long-term oil futures have rallied and reached a new record high level, compared to the spot price which is still flirting with its previous peak level.
In combination with a stronger USD and somewhat weaker NOK the NAV of Statoilapplying the future curve has propelled from NOK 130 to NOK 152 since early June, while the share price has increased only NOK 10. Thus, the gap between the share price andthe NAV of the future curve has increased considerably in recent days.
At the same time Statoilhas outperformed peers by some 15% in two months and there havebeen disappointing drilling news from the Barents Sea and increased uncertainty in Venezuela, where Sincorrepresent the second largest field in terms of NPV.
We reiterate our Market Weight recommendation, but we clearly see a short-term trading opportunity, when the gap between the NPV of the future curve and the actual share price has increased so much in a few days.
Based on the current Statoilshare price the NorskHydro share should trade at some NOK 700/share. Thus, we reiterate our Accumulate recommendation on NorskHydro.













