Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of investing in familiar sectors, particularly the midstream sector, where the author has extensive experience as a gas pipeline engineer [1] - The author manages multiple portfolios that have consistently outperformed the S&P 500 index since their inception in 2020, indicating a successful investment strategy [1] - The investment philosophy focuses on evaluating companies as businesses rather than mere stock tickers, aiming to capitalize on market mispricing [1] Company Analysis - The author holds a beneficial long position in the shares of Energy Transfer (ET), indicating confidence in the company's future performance [2] - The article reflects a personal investment perspective, suggesting that the insights provided are based on independent analysis rather than external influence [2] Industry Perspective - The midstream sector is highlighted as a promising area for investment, particularly for those with relevant industry knowledge and experience [1] - The article suggests that understanding the fundamentals of the industry can lead to better investment decisions and opportunities [1]

Core Viewpoint - Midstream operators are positioned to benefit from increasing demand for natural gas driven by artificial intelligence, data centers, and LNG exports, while providing reliable cash flow and high distribution yields. Group 1: Energy Transfer - Energy Transfer offers a yield of 7.4%, supported by strong distributable cash flow, with approximately 90% of EBITDA derived from fee-based contracts, many of which are take-or-pay [2][4] - The company is increasing its capital expenditures from $3 billion in 2024 to $5 billion this year to capitalize on growing power demand and LNG exports [3] - Energy Transfer has signed a supply agreement with Cloudburst for a data center project in Texas and is seeing progress on the Lake Charles LNG project, enhancing its growth prospects [4] Group 2: Enterprise Products Partners - Enterprise Products Partners has a yield of 6.8% and has increased its payout for 26 consecutive years, with about 85% of cash flow coming from fee-based contracts [5][6] - The company is pursuing $7.6 billion in growth projects, with $6 billion expected to go live this year, and has increased its spending on these projects from $3.9 billion last year to $4.5 billion this year [6] Group 3: Western Midstream - Western Midstream offers a yield of 9.4% and maintains a strong balance sheet with a leverage ratio below 3, supported by cost-of-service contracts and minimum volume commitments [7][8] - The company aims for mid-single-digit annual distribution increases while investing in expansion opportunities, notably the Pathfinder produced-water system, which is projected to cost over $450 million [8] Group 4: MPLX - MPLX has a yield of 7.5% and has achieved double-digit distribution growth for three consecutive years, with its distribution covered 1.5 times by cash flow [9][10] - The company is increasing its expansion capex to $1.7 billion in 2025, driven by demand for natural gas and NGLs, and is enhancing its infrastructure through full ownership of the BANGL pipeline and a joint venture with Oneok [10][11] Group 5: Kinder Morgan - Kinder Morgan has the lowest yield at 4.1% but controls about 40% of U.S. natural gas flow, with 80% of cash flow from volumetric fee-based contracts [13][15] - The company's project backlog has surged to $8.8 billion, primarily focused on power demand related to AI and LNG facilities, with expected EBITDA yields of 16.7% on new spending [14][15] - Kinder Morgan has improved its balance sheet, reducing leverage from 5.1 in 2017 to 4 in 2024, positioning itself well for future growth amid rising natural gas export demand [15]

Core Insights - Energy Transfer LP (ET) is a highly diversified midstream energy company in the U.S., with a significant network of pipelines, terminals, and storage assets, making it a key player in the transportation and distribution of natural gas, crude oil, NGLs, and refined products [1] - The company is expanding its operations through strategic acquisitions, enhancing its scale and creating cost efficiencies [2][4] Acquisition Strategy - ET has made notable acquisitions, including WTG Midstream, Lotus Midstream, and Crestwood Equity Partners, which have expanded its presence in high-growth basins like Permian, Williston, and Haynesville [2][9] - These acquisitions drive volume growth and unlock operational and commercial synergies, leading to optimized routing, reduced operating costs, and increased connectivity across ET's network [3][9] Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ET's earnings per unit indicates a year-over-year increase of 16.41% for 2025 and 6.34% for 2026 [11] - ET's trailing 12-month return on invested capital (ROIC) is 3.26%, slightly below the industry average of 3.52% [13] Market Position - ET's units have risen 3.7% in the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Oil and Gas - Production Pipeline - MLB industry's growth of 3.6% [8] - The company's focus on long-term value creation through strategic acquisitions and an integrated platform makes it appealing for income-seeking and infrastructure-focused investors [4][5]

Core Insights - Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET) has shown resilience during market volatility, achieving a total return of 14% since the last analysis [1] Company Performance - The stock has provided decent protection during the 'Liberation Day' panic, indicating its stability in turbulent market conditions [1] Investment Perspective - The author emphasizes a strong understanding of risk and reward, which is crucial for making informed investment decisions [1] - The article aims to offer clear and accessible insights for investors of all experience levels, focusing on fundamental analysis [1]

Group 1 - The article discusses the development of a retirement account aiming for a yield of at least 7.0%, which is significant compared to the average yield of higher-income ETFs like the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF [1] - The platform iREIT on Alpha offers in-depth research on various income alternatives including REITs, mREITs, Preferreds, BDCs, MLPs, and ETFs, with a notable number of positive testimonials [1] Group 2 - The article emphasizes that past performance does not guarantee future results, indicating a cautious approach to investment recommendations [2] - It clarifies that Seeking Alpha does not act as a licensed securities dealer or investment adviser, highlighting the independent nature of its analysts [2]

This growing midstream company still has a bright future.Energy Transfer (ET -1.22%) is considered by many to be a reliable income investment. It's a midstream company that operates over 135,000 miles of pipeline across 44 states, and it charges upstream and downstream companies to use its infrastructure with its "toll road" business model.The business operations are well-insulated from volatile commodity prices. As long as its customers keep their crude oil, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and ot ...

Core Viewpoint - Energy Transfer LP is identified as one of the largest midstream master limited partnerships in the United States, with an extensive network of pipelines for natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, and refined products [1] Company Overview - Energy Transfer LP operates a vast pipeline network that includes natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, and refined products [1] Investment Strategy - The company aims to generate a 7%+ income yield by investing in a portfolio of energy stocks while minimizing the risk of principal loss [1] - A two-week free trial is currently being offered for the investment service, providing subscribers with early access to research and investment ideas [1]

Core Viewpoint - The average brokerage recommendation (ABR) for Energy Transfer LP (ET) is 1.14, indicating a strong buy sentiment from analysts, but reliance solely on this metric may not be advisable due to potential biases in brokerage recommendations [2][5][10]. Group 1: Brokerage Recommendations - Energy Transfer LP has an ABR of 1.14, with 13 out of 14 recommendations classified as Strong Buy, representing 92.9% of all recommendations [2]. - Brokerage firms often exhibit a strong positive bias in their ratings, with a tendency to issue five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" [6][10]. - The interests of brokerage firms may not align with those of retail investors, leading to misleading insights regarding future stock price movements [7][10]. Group 2: Zacks Rank Comparison - Zacks Rank categorizes stocks into five groups based on earnings estimate revisions, with a strong correlation to near-term stock price movements [8][11]. - The Zacks Rank for Energy Transfer LP is currently 3 (Hold), indicating a cautious outlook despite the favorable ABR [14]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Energy Transfer LP's earnings remains unchanged at $1.44, suggesting stable analyst views on the company's earnings prospects [13][14]. Group 3: Timeliness and Effectiveness - The ABR may not always be up-to-date, while the Zacks Rank reflects timely revisions of earnings estimates, making it a more effective tool for predicting future stock prices [12].

Core Insights - Energy Transfer LP (ET) is strategically positioned with a vast midstream infrastructure network of nearly 140,000 miles of pipelines across North America, providing a competitive advantage in natural gas, NGL, crude oil, and refined product transportation [1][2][8] - The company's geographic and product diversification enhances cash flow stability and reduces exposure to single commodities or regions, supported by long-term contracts and fee-based earnings [2][4] - Energy Transfer is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for U.S. energy exports, with Gulf Coast assets enabling it to serve international markets [3][5] Infrastructure and Operations - The extensive midstream infrastructure allows Energy Transfer to capture volumes from multiple basins, including Permian, Eagle Ford, and Marcellus, linking them to key demand centers and export hubs [1][2] - The focus on operational efficiency and cost discipline positions the company for sustained growth and strong cash flows [4] Market Position and Financial Performance - Energy Transfer's units have increased by 10.1% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Oil and Gas - Production Pipeline - MLB industry's growth of 6.3% [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates an increase in earnings per unit of 2.86% for 2025 and 4.26% for 2026 [7] - Energy Transfer units are currently trading at a trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 10.25X, below the industry average of 11.53X, indicating undervaluation [9] Export Capabilities - The company's Gulf Coast assets, including LNG and NGL export terminals, are crucial for accessing global markets and enhancing margins [3][5] - Currently, 80 countries and territories benefit from Energy Transfer's exports, highlighting its international reach [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the renewed focus on "Made in America" as a significant investment theme, driven by geopolitical tensions and a push for domestic manufacturing and energy independence [2]. Group 1: Companies Highlighted - Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is North America's largest flat-rolled steel producer, operating fully integrated steelmaking facilities in the U.S. and supplying steel to various domestic sectors [5][6]. - Newell Brands Inc. produces iconic American household products and maintains substantial U.S. manufacturing despite some global sourcing. The company is focusing on streamlining operations and has a forecasted 19% earnings growth in the next 12 months [10][11]. - Energy Transfer LP operates over 125,000 miles of pipelines for transporting crude oil and natural gas, positioning itself as a key player in U.S. energy security. The stock has a consensus price target of $22.64, indicating a 26% upside potential [13][15]. Group 2: Stock Performance and Market Indicators - Cleveland-Cliffs stock is trading around $8.71, showing a strong rebound and surpassing key moving averages, with a potential upside target of $10 [7][8]. - Newell Brands stock has seen a decline of over 40% in 2025 but has recently increased by about 17% in the last 30 days, nearing its 100-day moving average [12]. - Energy Transfer stock is currently at $17.91, just below its 100-day moving average, with analysts predicting a bullish trend and a dividend yield of 7.31% [16].