MLP conference marred by notable no-shows, analyst says

• This year's recently concluded conference of the leading MLP association enjoyed higher overall attendance, but some analysts say the sentiment was not as positive as prior years.
• Deutsche Bank's Kristina Kazarian says some notable absences - including Williams (WMB, WPZ), Kinder Morgan (NYSE:KMI), Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) and MLPX - affected the overall tone of the meeting.
• Wunderlich's Jeffrey Birnbaum says he came away from the conference with the sense that companies are broadly feeling that macro conditions are stabilizing but doubts remain on the sustainability of the recovery in crude prices.
• Deutsche Bank's favorite MLPs (and former MLPs) following the conference are KMI, Energy Transfer Equity (ETE), MarkWest Energy (NYSE:MWE) and Phillips 66 Partners (NYSE:PSXP).
• Birnbaum’s top picks are Western Gas Partners (NYSE:WES) and EnLink Midstream (NYSE:ENLC).