Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) is included among the 12 Best LNG Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. Energy Transfer (ET): One of the Best LNG Stocks to Invest in Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) made headlines this summer when it announced that it would supply Chevron with an additional 1 mtpa of liquefied natural gas from its Lake Charles LNG export facility, bringing the total volume of LNG supply contracted by Chevron to 3 mtpa under the 20-year agreement. In April, Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) filed ...

Core Insights - The Zacks Oil and Gas – Production Pipeline industry is crucial for energy logistics, addressing the rising demand for crude oil and natural gas while supporting economic development and energy security [1][2] Industry Overview - Pipeline operators provide a safe, efficient, and cost-effective method for transporting energy resources, ensuring a consistent supply for refineries and consumers [2] - Midstream companies are essential for balancing traditional energy needs with cleaner technology advancements [1] Company Profiles - Plains All American Pipeline focuses on crude oil and NGL transportation and storage, primarily in high-production areas like the Permian Basin, generating cash flow through long-term, fee-based contracts [3] - Energy Transfer operates a diversified portfolio, including crude oil, NGLs, refined products, and natural gas pipelines, with significant assets in the Permian Basin and the Dakota Access Pipeline [4] Financial Performance - Energy Transfer's earnings growth projections for 2025 and 2026 have increased by 7.8% and 11.7% year over year, respectively [6] - Plains All American Pipeline's earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have declined by 5.3% and 4.4% year over year [9] Cash Distribution and Returns - Plains All American Pipeline has a cash distribution yield of 8.58%, while Energy Transfer's yield is 7.56% [10][17] - Plains All American Pipeline has a return on equity (ROE) of 11.55%, compared to Energy Transfer's 11.08%, indicating slightly better efficiency [10][12] Debt Levels - Energy Transfer has a debt to capital ratio of 57.16%, higher than the industry average of 55.7%, while Plains All American Pipeline's ratio is 40.13% [14] - The higher debt level of Energy Transfer raises concerns about financial flexibility, although the company is working to reduce leverage [14] Valuation Metrics - Plains All American Pipeline's trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA is 9.74X, below the industry average of 10.66X, suggesting it is undervalued [18] - Energy Transfer's EV/EBITDA is 9.22X, also trading at a discount compared to its industry [20] Conclusion - Both Plains All American Pipeline and Energy Transfer are effectively serving their markets, with Plains being a more favorable investment option due to lower debt levels, stable cash distribution, and better ROE [24]

Core Viewpoint - Investing in dividend stocks requires balancing yield and risk, with opportunities to maximize returns while minimizing downside risk being crucial [1]. Group 1: Investment Opportunities - Barchart's Investing Ideas provide a list of the highest-yielding dividend stocks currently available, consisting of 199 companies that require further refinement [2]. - The selection process utilized Barchart's Stock Screener, applying specific filters to identify the best dividend stocks based on forward yields [3]. Group 2: Company Analysis - Energy Transfer LP is highlighted as the top dividend stock, recognized as one of North America's largest and most diversified midstream energy companies, operating in 44 states [6]. - The company offers a forward dividend yield of 7.58%, translating to a quarterly payout of 33 cents per share, with a history of increasing annual payouts since 2021 [7]. - A consensus among 16 analysts rates Energy Transfer LP as a "Strong Buy," indicating strong market confidence in the stock's performance [8].

Core Viewpoint - Energy Transfer reported Q2 earnings that fell short of expectations, yet analysts remain optimistic about the stock's potential, considering it a "must-buy" due to its value proposition [1]. Financial Performance - For Q2, Energy Transfer achieved revenue of $19.24 billion, a year-over-year decline of 7.17%, and fell short of expectations by $3.29 billion [1]. - The earnings per share (EPS) was $0.32, which was $0.01 below the anticipated figure [1]. Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - On September 2, Brandon Bingham from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce initiated coverage with a "Buy" rating and a target price of $23, citing the company's extensive and integrated asset base across the midstream value chain [1]. - On September 5, Teresa Chen from Barclays reaffirmed a "Buy" rating with a target price of $25 [2]. - On September 11, UBS's Schneller Gushney also maintained a "Buy" rating but lowered the target price from $24 to $18.45 [2]. Growth Potential - Analysts believe Energy Transfer has significant upside potential, driven by sustained earnings growth from both short-term and future thematic demand [2]. - The expected stable average capital expenditure of approximately $4.9 billion from fiscal years 2026 to 2028 supports anticipated earnings growth and generates above-average free cash flow [2].

Core Insights - Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) is recognized as one of the 12 Best Stocks to Buy Now for Passive Income [1] - The company operates over 140,000 miles of pipelines in North America's midstream energy sector, transporting natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and crude oil [2] - Energy Transfer is experiencing strong momentum with record levels in gathered volumes, crude oil and NGL transport, and NGL exports [3] Growth Opportunities - A significant growth opportunity is emerging from the data center sector, driven by the increasing electricity demands from the AI boom, with approximately 200 requests for data center connections across 15 states as of Q2 2025 [4] - The company has entered into a deal with CloudBurst to supply natural gas to its Central Texas data centers [4] Dividend Performance - Energy Transfer is noted for its solid dividend performance, having raised its dividends for 14 consecutive quarters [5] - The current quarterly dividend stands at $0.33 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 7.71% as of September 22 [5]

Core Insights - Energy Transfer LP is expanding its asset footprint in the Permian Basin through the Transwestern Pipeline to serve growing markets in Arizona [1] Group 1: Company Expansion - The expansion of the Transwestern Pipeline is aimed at enhancing service capabilities in the Permian Basin [1] - This strategic move is intended to meet the increasing demand in the Arizona market [1]

Core Viewpoint - Energy Transfer LP is expanding its asset footprint in the Permian Basin by enhancing the Transwestern Pipeline to cater to the increasing markets in Arizona [1] Group 1: Company Expansion - The expansion of the Transwestern Pipeline is aimed at serving the growing demand in Arizona [1]

Core Insights - Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) is recognized as one of the best value stocks in Goldman Sachs' portfolio, being a major player in the North American midstream sector with a diverse portfolio that includes natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, and refined products [1] Financial Performance - For the first half of 2025, Energy Transfer reported adjusted EBITDA of $8.0 billion, driven by strong volumes in NGL transportation and fractionation [4] - The company has adjusted its full-year 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance to be at or slightly below the lower end of its previous range of $16.1 billion to $16.5 billion, with nearly 90% of adjusted EBITDA being fee-based, which mitigates commodity exposure and enhances earnings stability [4] Analyst Ratings and Market Outlook - The stock is rated as a strong Buy by analysts, indicating a potential upside of over 34%, with recent optimistic views from UBS and BofA reiterating the Buy rating despite reduced price targets [2][3] - Analysts see upside potential as Energy Transfer strengthens its balance sheet for future opportunities, with leverage reduced to approximately 4.0x debt-to-EBITDA [5] Operational Scale - Energy Transfer operates over 140,000 miles of pipelines and related infrastructure across 44 states, providing unmatched scale and connectivity in the industry [3]

Core Viewpoint - Transwestern Pipeline Company, a subsidiary of Energy Transfer LP, is launching a binding open season for the expansion of its pipeline system to transport natural gas from the Permian Basin to markets in the Desert Southwest [1] Group 1: Project Details - The open season for the expansion project will commence at 12:00 p.m. CDT on September 26, 2025, and conclude at 12:00 p.m. CDT on October 25, 2025 [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights two pipeline stocks, Energy Transfer and Genesis Energy, as having strong upside potential for investors, particularly in the current market environment where AI stocks are gaining attention. Group 1: Energy Transfer - Energy Transfer has established one of the largest midstream systems in the U.S., handling natural gas, crude oil, NGLs, and refined products, benefiting from volume movements and regional spreads [2] - The company plans to invest approximately $5 billion in growth capital expenditures this year, an increase from $3 billion the previous year, focusing on projects in the Permian Basin [3] - The Lake Charles LNG project is progressing, which could secure long-term cash flows as global LNG demand is projected to grow by 60% by 2040 [4] - Financially, Energy Transfer is in a strong position with low leverage, expecting 90% of 2025 EBITDA from fee-based contracts, and plans to increase its distribution by 3% to 5% annually [5] Group 2: Genesis Energy - Genesis Energy has improved its financial health by selling its soda ash business for $1.4 billion, using the proceeds to reduce debt and save approximately $84 million annually in interest [7] - The company is set to benefit from two major offshore projects, Shenandoah and Salamanca, which could add up to $150 million annually in operating profit once fully operational [8] - Shenandoah Phase One is expected to reach 100,000 barrels per day by the end of September, with plans to expand capacity to 140,000 barrels per day by 2026 [9] - Despite a challenging quarter for its marine transportation segment, Genesis anticipates generating free cash flow soon and aims to reduce its revolver balance by the end of 2025, potentially allowing for distribution increases [10] - While Genesis Energy carries more risk compared to Energy Transfer, it presents greater upside potential if its projects succeed [11]