Linn Energy

[dan_s]

My take is that this is very good news for LINE, one of our High Yield Income Portfolio companies. The merger with BRY is the first ever attempted by an MLP, so the SEC taking a hard look at the deal makes sense. That is the SEC's job.
When the deal closes, LINE should move back into the mid-$30s. - Dan
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NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Linn Energy (LINE_) shares were rising in early Wednesday trading after the company said it is "working diligently to file an Amended Form S-4" with the Securities and Exchange Commission on its proposed acquisition of Berry Petroleum (BRY_).

Linn Energy and its acquisition vehicle, LinnCo (LNCO_), have received comments on an amended registration statement filed with the SEC regarding their proposed acquisition of Berry Petroleum. The company said it is now working to resubmit a S-4 to the regulator.

The disclosure indicates Linn Energy could soon remove big questions hanging over the firm's finances. Linn Energy's shares were battered in July when the company said the Securities and Exchange Commission was conducting an informal review of its accounting practices and documents related to its proposed merger with Berry Petroleum.

If Linn Energy can have its amended S-4 approved by the SEC, it would clear the air on earnings metrics the company discloses to investors and which govern its high dividend payout.

Linn Energy also said on Wednesday it, LinnCo and Berry Petroleum have agreed to set the record dates of their stockholder meetings to Sept. 30, 2013, in a move that indicates they are making progress on what has been a very messy merger process.

Shares in Linn Energy were rising over 7% to $26.55 in early Wednesday trading, while shares in LinnCo were rising nearly 6%. Berry Petroleum shares were rising over 1% to $43.51.

Houston-based Linn Energy's accounting practices and the non-GAAP metrics that drive its dividend have come under scrutiny in recent months from Barron's and independent research firm Hedgeye Risk Management.

Both Barron's and Hedgeye argue Linn's use non-GAAP accounting figures overstates the cash flow it can pay out to shareholders and under-reports the expenses tied to its hedging practices and capital expenditure.

If Linn Energy and Berry complete their merger, it would likely refute many of the concerns raised by Barron's and Hedgeye. The prospect the SEC approves Linn Energy's accounting disclosures would undermine analysis that the firm has not been upfront with its investors. A merger could also help Linn Energy increase its dividend payout to $3.05 a share, on an annualized basis.