Core Viewpoint - Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) is identified as a promising investment opportunity under $20, with a Hold rating and a price target of $19.00 set by Morgan Stanley analyst Robert Kad [1]. Group 1: Company Developments - Energy Transfer LP announced growth in the transportation capacity of the Transwestern Pipeline's Desert Southwest expansion project to meet rising customer demand, driven by positive economic momentum and population growth in New Mexico and Arizona [2]. - The mainline pipeline diameter for the Desert Southwest expansion project will be increased from 42 inches to 48 inches, allowing for a capacity expansion to up to 2.3 billion cubic feet per day, depending on final compression configuration [3]. - The project is expected to benefit from significant demand growth in the Desert Southwest region, including the potential retirement or conversion of coal-fired power plants to natural gas [3]. Group 2: Company Operations - Energy Transfer LP provides natural gas pipeline transmission and transportation services, operating through various segments including Intrastate Transportation and Storage, Interstate Transportation and Storage, Midstream, NGL and Refined Products Transportation and Services, and Crude Oil Transportation and Services [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article suggests that 2026 could be dubbed the "Year of Making Reliable Passive Income," with an investment of $122,100 in three high-yield dividend stocks potentially generating $10,000 in passive income [1]. Group 1: Ares Capital - Ares Capital (ARCC) is highlighted as a strong investment option, with an investment of $40,700 expected to yield approximately $3,875 in dividend income in 2026, based on a forward dividend yield of slightly above 9.5% [3][4]. - Ares Capital is the largest publicly traded business development company (BDC), required to return at least 90% of its income to shareholders as dividends to maintain tax exemptions [4]. - The company has a strong track record, having either grown or maintained its dividend for 65 consecutive quarters, equating to 16 years [6]. Group 2: Energy Transfer LP - Energy Transfer LP (ET) is another recommended investment, with a potential passive income of $3,325 from a $40,700 investment, based on a distribution yield of nearly 8.2% [7]. - The company has consistently increased its distributions since Q3 2021 and targets annual distribution growth of 3% to 5% [8]. - Energy Transfer's financial position is reported as the strongest in its history, with a manageable debt load and a comfortable distribution coverage ratio [10]. Group 3: Pfizer - Investing $40,700 in Pfizer (PFE) could yield an additional $2,800 in passive income in 2026, based on a forward dividend yield of around 6.9% [12]. - Pfizer has a long history of dividend payments, having increased its dividend for 16 consecutive years and paid dividends for 345 consecutive quarters [12]. - Despite projected revenue stagnation and challenges such as a patent cliff and lower-than-expected COVID-19 product revenue, Pfizer is expected to maintain its dividend due to solid free cash flow and management's commitment to dividend growth [14][15].

Industry Overview - Companies in the Zacks Oil and Gas – Production Pipeline sector are crucial for meeting increasing global energy demand by supplying crude oil and natural gas, which are essential for transportation, industrial activities, and households [1] - Their operations enhance energy security, support economic growth, and provide necessary feedstocks for petrochemicals and fertilizers, while also advancing cleaner technologies and carbon-reduction initiatives [1] Company Profiles Energy Transfer LP (ET) - Energy Transfer has a diversified midstream network across natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, and refined products, benefiting from stable, fee-based cash flows and strategic access to export terminals [3] - The company is positioned to capture growth from rising U.S. energy production and global demand, with an attractive distribution yield and ongoing balance sheet strengthening through deleveraging [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ET's earnings per unit indicates year-over-year growth of 3.91% in 2025 and 15.25% in 2026, with long-term earnings growth per share projected at 12.45% [6] ONEOK Inc. (OKE) - ONEOK has a strong investment case due to its extensive NGL infrastructure and strategically positioned pipeline network across major U.S. energy basins, supported by stable, fee-based cash flows and limited commodity exposure [4] - The company is expected to achieve earnings visibility and offers an attractive dividend, with long-term growth driven by reliable income and moderate growth in the midstream energy sector [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OKE's earnings per unit implies year-over-year growth of 3.48% in 2025 and 9.48% in 2026, with long-term earnings growth per share pegged at 3.06% [9] Financial Metrics - OKE's sales are projected to rise 17.97% in 2026, while ET's sales growth is forecasted at 26.64% for the same period [7][11] - OKE has a higher return on equity (ROE) of 15.12%, surpassing ET's 10.71% and the industry average of 13.28% [13] - ET's current long-term debt-to-capital ratio is 58.87%, slightly lower than OKE's 59.08% [16] Valuation and Price Performance - Energy Transfer is currently trading at a forward 12-month Price/Earnings (P/E) ratio of 10.77X, while ONEOK is at 12.61X, compared to the industry average of 12.23X, indicating ET is trading at a discount [17] - In the past three months, ET's units have declined by 0.7%, while OKE has gained 2.7%, outperforming the sector's overall gain of 1.4% [18] Conclusion - ONEOK's stronger projected sales growth, higher return on equity, and superior price performance, despite a marginally higher reliance on debt compared to ET, suggest it has a competitive advantage [20]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights several ultra-high-yield dividend stocks that are well-positioned to provide consistent high dividends for income investors in 2026 [2]. Group 1: Ares Capital - Ares Capital is the largest publicly traded business development company (BDC) with a diversified portfolio worth $28.7 billion across over 15 industries [4]. - The company offers a forward dividend yield of 9.6% and has maintained or grown its dividend for 16 consecutive years, outperforming rival BDCs and the S&P 500 since its inception in 2004 [5]. Group 2: Enbridge - Enbridge is a leading midstream energy company that operates pipelines transporting 30% of North America's crude oil and 20% of the natural gas consumed in the U.S. [7]. - The company has a strong dividend track record with 30 consecutive years of increases and a forward dividend yield of approximately 5.9% [7]. Group 3: Energy Transfer - Energy Transfer operates over 144,000 miles of pipeline and has a forward distribution yield of 8.1% [8][10]. - The company is involved in growth opportunities, including contracts with CloudBurst and Oracle to provide natural gas for data centers [10]. Group 4: Enterprise Products Partners - Enterprise Products Partners is a leader in the midstream energy sector, operating over 50,000 miles of pipelines and having a distribution yield of 6.8% [11][12]. - The company has a history of 27 consecutive years of distribution increases and maintains a strong balance sheet with the highest credit rating in the midstream energy industry [12]. Group 5: Realty Income - Realty Income is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns 15,542 commercial properties across nine countries, with a diverse tenant base [13][15]. - The REIT has increased its dividend for 30 consecutive years and has raised its payout for 112 straight quarters, offering a forward dividend yield of 5.7% and paying dividends monthly [16].

Core Viewpoint - Energy Transfer's stock has declined nearly 17% year to date, leading to a dividend yield of approximately 8%, raising concerns about a potential yield trap, though the outlook remains positive due to strategic project adjustments and growth potential [2][4][9]. Group 1: Company Performance - Energy Transfer has halted its Lake Charles LNG project, reallocating resources to the more promising Desert Southwest expansion plan [4]. - The company is focused on maintaining a net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 4-4.5 to align with peers and protect its investment-grade credit rating [5]. - The long-term financial outlook is expected to improve as new projects come online, enhancing free cash flow generation [5]. Group 2: Market Position and Opportunities - Energy Transfer is positioned to benefit from increasing demand for natural gas driven by data centers, particularly in Texas, where it operates as the largest intrastate pipeline operator [6][7]. - The Desert Southwest expansion is aimed at meeting additional customer demand, which may include data centers as a significant factor [6]. - The stock's current struggles may present a buying opportunity, with the sustainable 8% dividend yield and potential catalysts for long-term growth from new projects [9].

Core Viewpoint - Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) is viewed positively by analysts, with a 12-month price target indicating over 34% upside potential from current levels [1] Group 1: Analyst Ratings - Robert Kad from Morgan Stanley reiterated a Hold rating with a price target of $19 on December 23 [1] - Brandon Bingham from Scotiabank maintained a Buy rating but reduced the price target from $23 to $21 on December 19 [1] Group 2: Project Development Update - The company announced on December 18 the suspension of development at its Lake Charles LNG project to focus on higher-return natural gas pipeline projects [2] - Management stated that the continued development of the Lake Charles LNG project is not warranted and is open to discussions with third parties interested in the project [2] Group 3: Market Position and Challenges - Kad noted that the reduced price target reflects a lack of catalysts for Energy Transfer LP to improve its valuation relative to peers [3] - He expressed skepticism about near-term events that could narrow the valuation discount, indicating that share outperformance may be challenging [3] Group 4: Investment Comparisons - While Energy Transfer LP has potential as an investment, certain AI stocks are perceived to offer greater upside potential with less downside risk [4]

Core Viewpoint - In a low-yielding environment, several companies are prioritizing dividend payments, offering significantly higher yields compared to the S&P 500's record low of around 1.1% [1][2]. Company Summaries - **Ares Capital**: Offers a 9.6% dividend yield, focusing on debt and equity investments in private middle-market companies. The company has maintained a stable to growing dividend for 16 years and committed to invest $3.9 billion in new and existing portfolio companies during Q3 [4][5]. - **Brookfield Renewable Partners**: Currently yields 5.5%, significantly higher than its corporate counterpart. The company generates steady cash flow through long-term power purchase agreements and plans to increase its dividend by 5% to 9% annually [7][8]. - **Energy Transfer**: Provides an 8.2% yielding distribution, operating a diversified platform of energy midstream assets. The company plans to invest $5.2 billion in growth projects in 2026, supporting a projected annual payout increase of 3% to 5% [9][11]. - **Starwood Capital**: Yields 10.4% and has diversified its portfolio beyond floating-rate commercial mortgages to include residential and infrastructure lending. The recent acquisition of Fundamental Income Properties for $2.2 billion aims to enhance dividend sustainability [12][13]. - **Vici Properties**: Offers a 6.5% yield, investing in high-quality properties secured by long-term net leases. The REIT has grown its dividend at a 6.6% compound annual rate since 2018 and has announced a $1.2 billion sale-leaseback transaction to support future growth [16][17]. Investment Opportunity - Companies like Brookfield Renewable, Energy Transfer, Ares Capital, Starwood Capital, and Vici Properties are highlighted as strong dividend stocks for 2026, backed by sustainable financial profiles and prioritizing shareholder payouts [18].

Core Insights - Energy Transfer (ET) is currently trading below its 50-day simple moving average (SMA), indicating a short-term bearish trend, with a stock price of $16.39 as of December 24, 2025, down 23.6% from its 52-week high of $21.45 [1][7] - Over the past six months, ET units have declined by 6.4%, which is worse than the Zacks Oil and Gas - Production Pipeline - MLB industry's loss of 1.7% [5] - The company generates 90% of its revenue from fee-based contracts, which limits its exposure to commodity price fluctuations [7][12] Company Overview - Energy Transfer operates over 140,000 miles of pipelines and related infrastructure across 44 U.S. states, with a diversified asset portfolio that supports stable earnings [10][11] - The firm plans to invest $4.6 billion in growth projects in 2025 to further enhance its asset base [10] - Energy Transfer is a leading exporter of liquefied petroleum gas and is expanding its natural gas liquids (NGL) export facilities to meet rising global demand [8] Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Energy Transfer's earnings per unit indicates year-over-year growth of 3.91% for 2025 and 15.25% for 2026 [17] - The current quarterly cash distribution rate is 33.25 cents per common unit, with a distribution yield of 8.11%, outperforming the industry average of 6.21% [24] - Energy Transfer's trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) is 10.71%, which is lower than the industry average of 13.28% [25] Market Position - ET's current trailing 12-month Enterprise Value/Earnings before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization (EV/EBITDA) is 8.9X, compared to the industry average of 10.53X, indicating that ET is trading at a discount relative to its peers [21] - The company has contracted over 6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of pipeline capacity under agreements with a weighted average term of 18 years, expected to generate over $25 billion in firm transportation fee revenues [13][15]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgent need for energy to support its growth [1][2][3] AI and Energy Demand - AI technologies, particularly large language models like ChatGPT, are extremely energy-intensive, with data centers consuming as much energy as small cities [2] - The increasing demand for AI is straining global power grids, leading to rising electricity prices and utilities struggling to expand capacity [2] Investment Opportunity - A specific company, largely overlooked by AI investors, is positioned to benefit from the anticipated surge in energy demand due to AI [3][6] - This company owns critical energy infrastructure assets and is involved in the U.S. LNG exportation sector, which is expected to grow under the current administration's energy policies [7][8] Financial Position - The company is noted for being debt-free and holding a significant cash reserve, amounting to nearly one-third of its market capitalization [8] - It also has a substantial equity stake in another AI-related company, providing investors with indirect exposure to multiple growth opportunities without high premiums [9] Market Perception - Wall Street is beginning to recognize this company as a valuable investment, especially as it operates without the high valuations typical of many energy and utility firms [8][10] - The company is trading at less than 7 times earnings, making it an attractive option for investors looking for undervalued stocks in the AI and energy sectors [10] Future Outlook - The ongoing AI revolution is expected to disrupt traditional industries, with companies that adapt to AI technologies likely to thrive [11][12] - The influx of talent into the AI sector is anticipated to drive continuous innovation and advancements, reinforcing the importance of investing in AI [12][13] Strategic Context - The company is strategically positioned to capitalize on the AI infrastructure supercycle, the onshoring boom due to tariffs, and the surge in U.S. LNG exports [14]

Core Insights - Master limited partnerships (MLPs) have underperformed the broader market in 2025, with the Alerian MLP Index down approximately 2.5% while the Energy Select Sector SPDR gained about 3.2% year to date [1] - Despite the sector's weak performance, certain MLPs like Enterprise Products Partners LP, Energy Transfer LP, and Plains All American Pipeline LP continue to attract investor interest [1] Business Structure of MLPs - MLPs are distinct from regular stocks as interests are referred to as units, and unitholders are considered partners in the business [2] - These entities combine the tax advantages of limited partnerships with the liquidity of publicly traded securities [2] Revenue Stability - MLPs typically own assets such as oil and natural gas pipelines and storage facilities, which generate stable fee-based revenues and have limited direct exposure to commodity prices [3] - This structure allows MLPs to maintain and grow distributions over time [3] Factors Contributing to Underperformance - Investor caution regarding near-term volume growth has been a significant factor, with uneven producer activity noted among customers [4] - Contract renewals and pricing pressures have also impacted MLPs, as new contracts may be set at lower rates upon expiration of older agreements [5] - Delays in project earnings due to many large investments being in later stages have led to a shift in investor focus away from MLPs [6] Future Outlook for 2026 - Management teams are optimistic about long-term demand for crude oil, natural gas, and NGL infrastructure, driven by exports and power generation [7] - Improvements from cost cuts, past acquisitions, and built-in contract increases are expected to enhance earnings starting in 2026 [8] - Reduced debt levels are anticipated to provide companies with greater financial flexibility, supporting distributions and making the sector more appealing to investors [8] MLPs to Monitor - Despite challenges in 2025, the outlook for 2026 appears more balanced, with improving fundamentals and visible growth drivers [9] - Key MLPs to watch include Enterprise Products Partners, Energy Transfer, and Plains All American Pipeline, all of which are recognized for their scale, diversified assets, and disciplined capital allocation [9]