Cheniere Energy Shares Jumped: What You Need to Know

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of Cheniere Energy (ASE: LNG) are up 10% today after the company's credit was upgraded.

So what: Standard & Poor's upgraded Cheniere Energy's credit from CCC+ to B- after the company was able to raise capital and improve its capital structure. The company's Sabine Pass Liquefaction subsidiary also had its rating increased to BB-.

Now what: Credit rating agencies are judging the risk of a company defaulting on its debt, essentially judging the downside risk for equity investors. So it's a good thing for the stock, but it doesn't mean questions about the company have been answered. In the report, S&P pointed out that the company will likely report negative cash flow for the next four years, and that it will have to execute on its export facility over the next few years, as well as access the capital markets again, possibly diluting shareholders.

Interested in more info on Cheniere Energy? Add it to your watchlist byclicking here.

At the time thisarticle was published Fool contributor Travis Hoium does not have a position in any company mentioned. You can follow Travis on Twitter at @FlushDrawFool, check out his personal stock holdings or follow his CAPS picks at TMFFlushDraw.Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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