Atlas Pipeline & Atlas Energy's Positive Synergy

I have had Atlas Pipeline Partners (APL) as a component of my Income Portfolio since the first of the year (2008) and the dividends have been outstanding, paying 93¢ (Q4,2007), 94¢ and 96¢ so far this year. On the recent earnings release the company is projecting $2.00 to $2.20 for the next 2 quarters and $4.25 to $4.50 for 2009. The share price is down significantly from around $43 to start the year, but I believe the market has this one wrong and the income growth should continue.

While listening to the earnings conference call last week for APL the comment was made that the sister company, Atlas Energy Resources LLC (ATN) would announce this week, so I decided to listen in. To put it bluntly, I am impressed! ATN is a natural gas producer that seems to be firmly set on a growth path. It is now the largest producer in the growing Marcellus Shale and is working to at least double production there in the near future. It also has new production coming on line in Tennessee and a stable production base in Michigan.