Group 1 - Oneok Inc. (OKE) closed at $80.38, with a 0.7% gain over the past four weeks, and a mean price target of $103.35 suggests a 28.6% upside potential [1] - The mean estimate consists of 17 short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $15.23, indicating variability among analysts; the lowest estimate is $87.00 (8.2% increase), while the highest is $147.00 (82.9% increase) [2] - Analysts show increasing optimism about OKE's earnings prospects, with a strong agreement in revising EPS estimates higher, which correlates with potential stock price movements [11] Group 2 - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased by 3.3% over the past month, with two estimates rising and one falling [12] - OKE holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimates, indicating potential upside [13] - While the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of the extent of gains, it does provide a directional guide for price movement [14]

Group 1 - The focus is on growth and dividend income as a strategy for retirement planning [1] - The portfolio is structured to generate monthly dividend income that grows through reinvestment and annual increases [1] Group 2 - The article expresses personal opinions and is not intended as investment advice [2] - It emphasizes the importance of conducting individual research before making investment decisions [2]

Core Insights - Dividend investing is a popular strategy among retail investors seeking stability and passive income, with a focus on long-term buy-and-hold approaches for companies like Coca-Cola and Johnson & Johnson [1] - Investors typically look for dividend yields in the 2-3% range and payout ratios below 80% as indicators of sustainable dividend payments [2] Group 1: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) - EPD offers a high dividend yield of 6.85% with an annual dividend of $2.14 and a dividend payout ratio of 80.15%, supported by a 28-year track record of dividend increases [4][5] - The company has a unique buying opportunity due to a recent share price dip, and analysts expect earnings growth above 5% in the coming year, with a consensus price target suggesting a potential rise of 15% or more [6] - EPD's high dividend yield is likely to become more attractive if the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates [5] Group 2: United Parcel Service (UPS) - UPS has a dividend yield of 6.63% and an annual dividend of $6.56, with a 16-year history of dividend increases, although its payout ratio is high at 95.63% [7][9] - The company is focusing on improving operational efficiency and profitability, which may help offset concerns regarding its elevated payout ratio [8] - Analysts predict UPS will experience earnings growth of 10.3% in the coming quarters, with potential capital growth of nearly 20% [10] Group 3: ONEOK Inc. (OKE) - OKE has a dividend yield of 5.12% and an annual dividend of $4.12, with a payout ratio of 80.47% and a 3-year track record of dividend increases [11][13] - The company is expected to improve its position through new construction that will expand its infrastructure, despite a year-to-date decline of over 21% [12] - Analysts are optimistic about OKE, predicting earnings growth of more than 17% in the coming quarters, with a price target suggesting nearly 29% upside potential [14]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of income-focused investing, particularly in sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging [1] - Energy midstream is highlighted as a preferred sector due to its stable business model, which provides consistent returns that are less affected by commodity price fluctuations [2] - The author has a long position in OKE shares, indicating a positive outlook on the company's performance [3] Group 2 - The article serves as an informational resource rather than financial advice, encouraging readers to conduct their own due diligence before making investment decisions [4] - Seeking Alpha clarifies that past performance does not guarantee future results and that the views expressed may not represent the platform as a whole [5]

Core Insights - ONEOK Inc. (OKE) is benefiting from increasing fee-based earnings and strategic capital investments aimed at enhancing its presence in high-production regions [1][8] - The company is facing challenges due to intense competition in the pipeline sector [1][6] Growth Catalysts for OKE - OKE is positioned to gain from long-term fee-based commitments across its three main segments: Natural Gas Gathering and Processing, Natural Gas Liquids, and Natural Gas Pipelines and Refined Products and Crude, with over 88% of its earnings in 2024 expected to be fee-based and over 90% projected for 2025 [2] - Natural gas liquid volumes from the Rocky Mountain region have increased significantly, with an annual growth rate exceeding 20%, while natural gas processing volumes have grown at a steady 10% annually [2] Capital Expenditures and Investments - The company is committed to organic growth initiatives, with projected capital expenditures for 2025 estimated between $2.8 billion and $3.2 billion [3] - OKE is expanding through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of EnLink Midstream in January 2025 and acquiring a 49.9% stake in Delaware G&P LLC for $940 million in June 2025, which are expected to enhance profitability through cost efficiencies and synergies [4] Competitive Landscape - The natural gas and natural gas liquids pipeline industries are highly competitive, with new energy companies entering the market through master limited partnerships, which may impact OKE's market position [6] - The company's operational efficiency and profitability could be affected by its lack of full ownership of the land where its pipelines are located, potentially leading to increased land-use costs [5] Stock Performance - In the past month, OKE shares have decreased by 1%, while the industry has seen a slight decline of 0.2% [7]

Core Viewpoint - The S&P 500's dividend yield is nearing record lows at approximately 1.2%, yet there are several high-quality companies offering dividends with yields of 5% or more, providing opportunities for passive income seekers [1]. Group 1: High-Yield Dividend Stocks - Realty Income has a dividend yield above 5.5%, supported by a diversified real estate portfolio and a strong financial profile, with a record of 661 consecutive monthly dividends and 131 increases since its IPO in 1994 [4][6]. - Clearway Energy's dividend yield is just below 5.5%, with stable cash flow generated from long-term power purchase agreements, and plans to grow cash available for dividends from $2.08 per share this year to over $2.50 by 2027 [7][8]. - Healthpeak Properties offers a yield over 6.5%, with a high-quality portfolio of healthcare properties and a strong financial profile, including $500 million to $1 billion in capacity for additional investments [9][10]. - Oneok's dividend yield exceeds 5%, with 90% of earnings from fee-based sources, aiming for a 3% to 4% annual increase in dividends supported by acquisition synergies and expansion projects [11][12]. - Verizon has a dividend yield approaching 6.5%, generating $19.8 billion in free cash flow last year, which comfortably covered its $11.2 billion in dividend payments, allowing for continued dividend increases [13][14]. Group 2: Investment Rationale - Realty Income, Clearway Energy, Healthpeak Properties, Oneok, and Verizon all provide dividends above 5%, backed by recurring cash flow and strong balance sheets, making them solid choices for passive income investments [15].

Group 1: Oneok - Oneok operates a large and integrated energy infrastructure platform, generating stable cash flow with approximately 90% of its revenue from fee-based contracts [3] - The company has delivered over 25 years of dividend stability and growth, raising its dividend by more than 1,200% since 2000 [3] - Recent acquisitions, including the $18.8 billion purchase of Magellan Midstream Partners, are expected to fuel earnings growth through 2027 [4][5] - Oneok anticipates annual dividend growth of 3% to 4% in the coming years due to ongoing expansion projects and merger synergies [5] Group 2: Verizon - Verizon's mobile and broadband businesses generate significant recurring revenue, allowing for investment in 5G and fiber networks while maintaining a high-yielding dividend [6] - The company expects to generate $17.5 billion to $18.5 billion in free cash flow this year, covering its annual dividend cost of over $11 billion [6] - Verizon's acquisition of Frontier Communications for $20 billion, expected to close in 2026, will enhance its fiber operations and generate over $500 million in annual cost savings [7] - The company has delivered its 18th consecutive annual dividend increase, the longest current streak in the U.S. telecom sector [8] Group 3: Vici Properties - Vici Properties is a REIT focused on gaming, hospitality, and entertainment, leasing properties under long-term, triple net agreements, providing stable cash flow [9] - The REIT pays out about 75% of its stable cash flow in dividends and retains the rest for portfolio growth [10] - Vici Properties has raised its dividend every year since its formation, achieving a 7.4% compound annual growth rate, outperforming its peers [11] Group 4: Investment Opportunity - Investing in high-quality, high-yielding dividend stocks like Oneok, Verizon, and Vici Properties can generate a meaningful and growing stream of dividend income [12]

Core Viewpoint - The comparison between Energy Transfer LP (ET) and Oneok Inc. (OKE) indicates that ET presents a better value opportunity for investors at this time [1]. Valuation Metrics - Energy Transfer LP has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), while Oneok Inc. has a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell), suggesting a stronger earnings outlook for ET compared to OKE [3]. - ET has a forward P/E ratio of 12.61, whereas OKE has a forward P/E of 15.60, indicating that ET may be undervalued relative to OKE [5]. - The PEG ratio for ET is 0.59, which is lower than OKE's PEG ratio of 1.65, suggesting that ET has a more favorable growth valuation [5]. - ET's P/B ratio is 1.47, compared to OKE's P/B of 2.31, further supporting the argument that ET is a better value option [6]. Earnings Outlook - ET is currently experiencing an improving earnings outlook, which enhances its attractiveness in the Zacks Rank model [7].

Group 1 - ONEOK, Inc. will release its second quarter 2025 earnings after the market closes on August 4, 2025, with a conference call scheduled for August 5, 2025, at 11 a.m. Eastern [1] - The company operates a vast pipeline network of approximately 60,000 miles, providing essential energy products and services, including gathering, processing, transportation, and storage [2] - ONEOK is recognized as one of the largest integrated energy infrastructure companies in North America, contributing to energy security and meeting both domestic and international energy demands [2][3] Group 2 - The company is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is listed on the S&P 500 [3] - For further information and updates, ONEOK maintains an online presence through its website and social media platforms [3]

Company Performance - Oneok Inc. (OKE) closed at $81.32, reflecting a +1.41% change from the previous day's closing price, outperforming the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.8% [1] - Over the last month, Oneok's shares decreased by 0.5%, lagging behind the Oils-Energy sector's gain of 3.8% and the S&P 500's gain of 5.12% [1] Earnings Projections - Oneok Inc. is expected to report earnings of $1.31 per share, indicating a year-over-year decline of 1.5%, while net sales are projected at $6.78 billion, up 38.46% from the previous year [2] - For the full year, earnings are projected at $5.23 per share and revenue at $28.92 billion, reflecting changes of +1.16% and +33.3% respectively from the prior year [3] Analyst Estimates and Valuation - Recent changes to analyst estimates for Oneok Inc. can indicate shifts in near-term business trends, with positive revisions suggesting confidence in performance and profit potential [3] - Oneok Inc. currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 15.32, which is a premium compared to the industry average Forward P/E of 12.29 [6] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.62, compared to the industry average PEG ratio of 1.12 [7] Industry Context - The Oil and Gas - Production Pipeline - MLB industry, part of the Oils-Energy sector, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 195, placing it in the bottom 21% of over 250 industries [8] - The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of industry groups based on the average Zacks Rank of individual stocks, with the top 50% rated industries outperforming the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [8]