EARNINGS DISTRIBUTIONS AND SWINE FLU!

Monday morning always tends to bring something out of left field and Swine Flu is on the front page. You can follow the latest on Swine Flu on twitter at cdcemergency. And speaking of twitter across the page on the top of the side bar are my latest twits (pronounced tweets and not twits) and i will be using this to post short market messages when i'm not necessarily near my computer along with other quick links. And of course if interested you can follow me on twitter directly.

Ok we have some MLP news this morning as earnings from Duncan Partners (DEP) with a 50% increase in earnings and a big increase in distributable cash flow due to an asset dropdown. Also we have earnings from Boardwalk Partrners (BWP) which reports higher revenues, lower earnings, and there were some earnings adjustments done to Q1 in 2008 and if i read it correctly they adjusted that number higher. No mention of distributable cash flow numbers in the press release. Alliance Resource (ARLP) reports another record quarter and a 2 cent distribution increase which is nice for holders. It has held up better than most mlps however it its pointing to lower revenues for 2009 and is adjusting 2009 guidance accordingly.

This morning in the overall markets is all about swine flu and the market impact so its down down down on futures as we look for a dow open of down well over 100 points as of this post. And of course crude is lower by over 2 bucks as crude follows equities. Lately buying the dip has been the right strategey and my guess is it will be no different this time.

This week is the build up to the Kentucky Derby which is this Saturday May 2nd and for those of you who are interested in my never to be humble opinion here is a piece i wrote this weekend which has my Derby observations.

Keep an eye on the twitters on the sidebar for breaking headlines.