Investment Returns - The total return on the Fund's net asset value for the first half of 2025 was 2.3%, with dividends and capital gains reinvested [1] - The S&P Energy Sector and the S&P 500 Materials Sector had returns of 0.8% and 6.0%, respectively, while the benchmark (S&P 500 Energy Sector 80% and S&P 500 Materials Sector 20%) returned 1.8% [1] - The total return on the Fund's market price for the same period was 3.1% [1] Annualized Comparative Returns - For the 1-year period, the Fund's net asset value (NAV) decreased by 2.2%, while the market price increased by 1.7% [4] - Over 3 years, the NAV returned 10.7% and the market price returned 12.3% [4] - The 5-year returns were 21.2% for NAV and 22.1% for market price, while the 10-year returns were 6.1% for NAV and 6.8% for market price [4] Net Asset Value - As of June 30, 2025, the Fund's net assets were $634.74 million, down from $689.99 million a year earlier [6] - The number of shares outstanding increased to 26,888,697 from 25,453,641 [6] - The net asset value per share decreased to $23.61 from $27.11 [6] Largest Equity Portfolio Holdings - The top ten equity holdings accounted for 62.9% of net assets, with Exxon Mobil Corporation at 22.7% and Chevron Corporation at 11.5% [7] - Other significant holdings included ConocoPhilips (5.3%), Linde plc (4.7%), and EOG Resources, Inc. (3.8%) [7] Industry Weightings - The Fund's net assets were allocated primarily to the energy sector, with Integrated Oil & Gas at 35.1% and Exploration & Production at 19.8% [9] - Other allocations included Storage & Transportation (11.6%), Chemicals (13.6%), and Metals & Mining (3.6%) [10]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an Overweight (OW) rating for various companies across the energy sub-sectors, indicating a positive outlook for investment opportunities in the sector [94][95]. Core Insights - The energy sector has performed in line with the broader market year-to-date, with rising geopolitical risks and stronger oil prices contributing to this performance [15][17]. - The report highlights a preference for natural gas exposure over oil, particularly in the Exploration & Production (E&P) segment, due to expected gas deficits and oversupply in the oil market [103][95]. - The refining and marketing sub-sector is expected to benefit from summer travel demand and tight product inventories, supporting margins [115][117]. Energy Performance & Valuation - Energy sub-sectors are near 10-year median EV/EBITDA multiples, with services stocks at the low end of historical ranges [17]. - The report forecasts a median free cash flow (FCF) yield of 11% at $65 WTI, with variations based on oil price scenarios [103][110]. Commodities and Macro Outlook - WTI oil prices have rallied approximately 25% since early May, driven by a tight crude market and geopolitical tensions [24][31]. - The report anticipates a surplus in the oil market in the second half of 2025, while a natural gas deficit is expected to re-emerge [103][42]. Sub-Sector Views Exploration & Production - The report emphasizes a defensive bias and preference for U.S. gas exposure over oil, with EQT identified as a top pick [95][111]. - Oil producers with a positive rate of change are favored, with Devon Energy (DVN) and Permian Resources (PR) highlighted for their strong performance [95][111]. Refining & Marketing - The summer travel season is expected to provide a demand boost, with product inventories remaining tight [115][117]. - Key stock plays include Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) and HF Sinclair Corp (DINO) due to their operational strengths [115][117]. Energy Services - The report suggests maintaining exposure to defensive and diverse characteristics, with Baker Hughes (BKR) and Schlumberger (SLB) as preferred stocks [95][130]. - The energy services sector is trading at historically low valuations compared to the S&P, indicating potential upside [124][132]. Midstream Energy - Midstream energy infrastructure is viewed as misvalued, with expectations for strong free cash flow and high dividend yields [136][142]. - Key stocks in this segment include Targa Resources Corp (TRGP), Oneok Inc. (OKE), and Energy Transfer LP (ET) [142].

Core Viewpoint - ExxonMobil is presented as a reliable dividend stock with a strong history of dividend payments and growth, making it an attractive option for income-focused investors [1][2]. Group 1: Dividend and Shareholder Returns - ExxonMobil has paid and raised its dividends for 42 consecutive years, with only 4% of S&P 500 companies achieving similar streaks [1]. - In the first quarter, ExxonMobil returned over $9 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks, with plans to repurchase $20 billion in stock in 2025 and 2026 [11]. - The annual capital return program exceeds $37 billion, representing around 8% of its market cap, highlighting the company's commitment to returning capital to shareholders [11]. Group 2: Financial Health and Cost Management - ExxonMobil's net-debt-to-capital ratio stands at 7%, indicating a strong balance sheet compared to peers like Chevron, which has a ratio of 14.4% [12]. - The company has increased structural cost savings by $7 billion, totaling $18 billion by 2030, demonstrating effective cost management [5]. - Plans to reduce the breakeven operating figure to $35 per barrel by 2027 and $30 by 2030 are in place, with current Brent prices around $65 per barrel [7][8]. Group 3: Capital Expenditures and Production Growth - ExxonMobil intends to invest $27 billion to $29 billion in capital expenditures in 2025, increasing to $28 billion to $33 billion from 2026 to 2030 [6]. - The company aims to increase production from an average of 4.6 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) in 2025 to 5.4 million boe/d by 2030, with advantaged assets growing to account for 60% of total output [9]. - Advantaged assets, which are high-margin plays, currently make up about half of production and are expected to drive growth in the coming years [9][10]. Group 4: Investment Thesis and Market Position - ExxonMobil's corporate plan outlines clear medium-term and long-term expectations, providing a framework for investors to measure progress [4]. - The company's focus on efficiency improvements and low production costs positions it well to sustain long-term investments and capital returns, even in lower oil price environments [15]. - With a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.4 and a dividend yield of 3.7%, ExxonMobil is viewed as a compelling value for income investors [16].

Core Viewpoint - Suncor Energy Inc. reported strong first-quarter 2025 adjusted operating earnings of 91 cents per share, exceeding expectations due to robust upstream production growth, although overall earnings declined from the previous year due to weaker downstream performance [1][6]. Financial Performance - Operating revenues reached $8.7 billion, surpassing estimates by 3.9%, but decreased approximately 6.7% year over year due to lower upstream sales volumes [2][14]. - The company declared a quarterly dividend of 57 Canadian cents per share, consistent with the previous quarter, to be paid on June 25, 2025 [2]. - Total expenses decreased by 1.4% to C$10.2 billion, with operating, selling, and general expenses down to C$3.3 billion from C$3.4 billion in the prior year [14]. Production and Segment Performance - The upstream segment achieved record production of 853,000 barrels per day (bbls/d), a 2.14% increase year over year, and exceeded the consensus estimate [5][4]. - Oil sands bitumen production reached a record 937,300 bbls/d, driven by strong output at Firebag [5]. - The company's exploration and production (E&P) volume increased by 23.9% to 62,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), surpassing estimates [6]. Downstream Operations - Adjusted operating earnings for the downstream segment fell to C$667 million from C$1.118 billion in the same quarter last year, primarily due to lower benchmark crack spreads [11]. - Refining throughput was the highest for a first quarter at 482,700 bpd, exceeding the consensus estimate [12][13]. Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures - Cash flow from operating activities was C$2.2 billion, down from C$2.8 billion in the prior year [15]. - Capital expenditures for the first quarter amounted to C$1.1 billion, with total capital expenditures for 2025 expected to be between C$6.1 billion and C$6.3 billion [15][19]. Guidance for 2025 - Suncor Energy anticipates upstream production to range from 810,000 boe/d to 840,000 boe/d for 2025, with cash operating costs for Oil Sands operations expected between C$26 and C$29 per barrel [16][18]. - Refinery throughput is projected to be between 435,000 bpd and 450,000 bpd, with refined product sales expected in the range of 555,000 to 585,000 bpd [18].

Group 1: UnitedHealth Group - UnitedHealth Group experienced a significant stock price drop of over 22% following a weak first-quarter report, marking its worst single-session decline since August 1998 [1] - The company was previously the largest component in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, but this position has now been taken over by Goldman Sachs [1][2] Group 2: Market Overview - Major indices including the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite are currently in correction territory, defined as a decline of at least 10% from recent highs [2] - Despite the downturn, there are potentially better dividend stocks in the Dow, such as Visa, Chevron, and Procter & Gamble, that investors may consider [2] Group 3: Visa - Visa operates a payment processing model that generates fees from credit and debit card transactions, maintaining partnerships with financial institutions [3] - The company boasts an impressive operating margin of 66.2% and a profit margin of 54.3%, indicating strong profitability [4] - Visa's business model allows it to remain profitable even during economic slowdowns, with a current dividend yield of 0.7% due to a focus on stock buybacks [5] - Visa is considered a safe investment option, especially in a declining stock market [6] Group 4: Chevron - Chevron offers a dividend yield of 5%, making it the second-highest yielding component in the Dow, with a history of 38 consecutive years of payout increases [7] - The company has faced a sell-off in 2025 due to falling oil and natural gas prices, influenced by macroeconomic concerns [8] - Key investment factors for Chevron include its reliable dividend, strong balance sheet with low debt, and improvements in operational efficiency [9] - The stock has declined by 16% over the last month, presenting a potential buying opportunity for income-focused investors [10] Group 5: Procter & Gamble - Procter & Gamble has shown resilience during market downturns, as consumer staples tend to maintain steady demand [11] - The company has significant international exposure, which makes it vulnerable to tariffs and currency fluctuations, but it has historically managed to pass on costs to consumers [12] - Procter & Gamble is set to report its fiscal 2025 third-quarter earnings soon, with investors keen on management's insights regarding tariffs and trade issues [13] - With 69 consecutive years of dividend increases and a yield of 2.5%, Procter & Gamble is viewed as a safe investment, although its valuation is considered high at 27.2 times earnings [14]