Core Viewpoint - Wall Street anticipates a year-over-year decline in earnings for Oneok Inc. despite higher revenues, with actual results being crucial for stock price movement [1][2]. Earnings Expectations - Oneok is expected to report quarterly earnings of $1.49 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 5.1%, while revenues are projected to be $9.49 billion, an increase of 35.6% from the previous year [3]. Estimate Revisions - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised down by 2.62% over the last 30 days, indicating a bearish sentiment among analysts regarding the company's earnings prospects [4][11]. Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Zacks Earnings ESP for Oneok is -0.72%, suggesting analysts have become more pessimistic, and the stock holds a Zacks Rank of 4, complicating predictions of an earnings beat [11]. Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Oneok exceeded the expected earnings of $1.46 per share by delivering $1.49, resulting in a surprise of +2.05%. Over the past four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates twice [12][13]. Market Reaction Factors - An earnings beat or miss alone may not dictate stock movement, as other factors can influence investor sentiment. Stocks may decline despite an earnings beat or rise despite a miss [14][16].

Core Viewpoint - The pipeline sector features high-quality dividend stocks, with Oneok and Kinder Morgan being prominent players, each offering attractive dividends and growth potential. Oneok Overview - Oneok's current dividend yield is over 5%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.1% yield, with a history of nearly 100% dividend growth over the past decade [3][4] - The company aims to pay out less than 85% of its stable cash flow in dividends, allowing for capital retention for growth investments [4] - Oneok has several organic expansion projects, including an LPG export terminal and a gas pipeline, expected to be operational by 2028, and anticipates capturing hundreds of millions in annual synergies from recent acquisitions [4] Kinder Morgan Overview - Kinder Morgan has a current dividend yield of 3.7% and plans to increase its payout by about 2% this year, marking its ninth consecutive year of dividend increases [6][9] - The company cut its dividend over a decade ago to maintain a strong financial profile, with a lower payout ratio of around 50% of stable cash flow [7] - Kinder Morgan is investing heavily in expanding its gas pipeline network, with $10 billion in projects expected to be completed by mid-2030 and an additional $10 billion in expansion projects planned [9] Investment Comparison - Oneok is positioned as a better option for investors prioritizing current income due to its higher dividend yield and faster expected growth in dividends [10] - Conversely, Kinder Morgan offers higher growth potential, making it more suitable for investors seeking total returns [10]

Group 1: UnitedHealth Group - UnitedHealth Group operates the largest private health insurer in the U.S. and a health services platform called Optum, which provides various healthcare services [2] - The company anticipates losing up to 2.8 million members due to increased rates in response to rising medical costs [2] - The stock recently dropped 20% following Q4 results, attributed to a rising medical care ratio (MCR) of 91.5%, the highest since last year's cost spike [3] - A proposed 0.09% increase for 2027 Medicare Advantage rates was below industry expectations, adding to uncertainty [3] - Despite challenges, the company maintains a safe 3.2% dividend, supported by $16 billion in free cash flow, funding the payout nearly twice over [4] - Management expects earnings per share (EPS) growth of around 8.5% this year, with the stock trading at 15.5 times next year's earnings target of $17.75 per share [4] Group 2: Ryman Hospitality Properties - Ryman Hospitality Properties is a REIT that owns large-scale convention resorts and iconic country music venues, including five of the seven largest non-gaming convention hotels in the U.S. [5] - In Q3, Ryman reported a 15.5% drop in adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per unit due to planned renovations, a shift to lower-margin groups, and increased cancellations [7] - Bookings are up nearly 8% for the year, and the stock offers a 4.8% yield with a 57% payout ratio, producing nearly double the cash needed for its dividend [8] - Shares trade at just 12 times AFFO per unit expectations for fiscal year 2025, providing compelling exposure to the growing country music scene in Nashville [8] Group 3: ONEOK - ONEOK has transformed from a regional NGL business into a fully integrated platform through three major deals worth over $25 billion, creating a 60,000-mile network for transporting gas and crude [9] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 37% year over year to $2.1 billion in Q3, driven by contributions from EnLink and Medallion assets, as well as higher processing volumes [10] - The stock is up nearly 15% over the past month, trading at just 11 times EBITDA with a yield of 5.1% [11] - Current spending on integration and pipeline repairs keeps free cash flow payout around 100%, but this is expected to improve as major projects complete this year [11]

Company Overview - ONEOK, Inc. (OKE) is a leading U.S. midstream energy company with a market cap of $52.3 billion, focusing on the gathering, processing, storage, and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) [1] - The company is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and operates an extensive pipeline and infrastructure network across major energy-producing regions, including the Permian, Williston, and Mid-Continent basins [1] Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, OKE shares have declined by 13.2%, underperforming the S&P 500 Index, which has rallied by 15.6% [2] - Year-to-date, OKE shares are up 13.1%, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 1.7% [2] - Compared to the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE), which has risen by 21.1% over the past 52 weeks, OKE has lagged behind [3] Dividend and Financial Outlook - On January 21, ONEOK raised its quarterly dividend by 4% to $1.07 per share, indicating management's confidence in cash flow stability [6] - For FY2025, analysts expect OKE's EPS to rise by 2.7% year over year to $5.31, with a mixed earnings surprise history [7] - Among 20 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy," consisting of 10 "Strong Buy" ratings, one "Moderate Buy," and nine "Holds" [7] Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - The current analyst configuration is slightly bearish compared to a month ago, with 11 "Strong Buy" ratings [8] - Jeremy Tonet of JPMorgan Chase downgraded ONEOK to "Neutral" from "Overweight" and lowered the price target to $83 from $87, citing a need for stronger oil prices for improved sentiment [8] - The mean price target of $87 represents a 4.4% premium to OKE's current price levels, while the highest price target of $104 suggests a potential upside of 25.1% [9]

Core Viewpoint - ONEOK Inc. is currently viewed as one of the best cheap stocks to buy, despite recent target price adjustments by several firms due to soft macroeconomic fundamentals and oil price concerns [1][2]. Target Price Adjustments - Jeremy Tonet at JPMorgan reduced the target price for ONEOK from $87 to $84 and downgraded the rating to "Neutral" from "Overweight" [1]. - Robert Kad of Morgan Stanley lowered the target price from $107 to $104 while maintaining an "Overweight" rating [1]. - UBS also cut its target price from $114 to $103 but kept a "Buy" rating [1]. Dividend Announcement - ONEOK announced a quarterly dividend increase of approximately 4%, raising it from $1.03 to $1.07 per share, resulting in an annual dividend of $4.28 per share and a dividend yield of 4.81% [2]. Analyst Ratings - Despite the target price cuts, analysts remain generally favorable towards ONEOK, with 14 out of 24 analysts (approximately 58%) giving a "Buy" rating and 10 (around 42%) a "Hold" rating [2]. - The median target price is set at $83, with a high estimate of $108, indicating an upside potential of 4.81% (41.14% if considering the highest estimate) [2]. Company Overview - ONEOK Inc. is a natural gas company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, involved in gathering, processing, transporting, and storing natural gas across several states including North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico [2].

Core Viewpoint - ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE) is recognized as one of the best pipeline and MLP stocks to buy in 2026, despite mixed analyst ratings and a recent decline in price targets [1]. Analyst Ratings - Morgan Stanley analyst Robert Kad lowered the price target for ONEOK from $107 to $104 while maintaining an Overweight rating, citing the energy sector's strong performance due to favorable commodity prices [2]. - Conversely, JPMorgan analyst Jeremy Tonet downgraded ONEOK from Overweight to Neutral, reducing the price target from $87 to $83, indicating that the company did not meet its EBITDA guidance amid weak macroeconomic conditions [3]. Company Overview - ONEOK, Inc., established in 1906, is a leading energy infrastructure company based in Oklahoma, operating a vast 60,000-mile pipeline network that provides gathering, processing, and transportation services for natural gas, NGLs, refined products, and crude oil across North America [4].

Core Viewpoint - Kevin Warsh's potential appointment as the next chair of the Federal Reserve may positively impact the stock market in the near term due to his belief in AI as a deflationary force, which could lead to lower interest rates and higher stock trading multiples [1][2]. Stock Analysis ONEOK Inc. (NYSE:OKE) - ONEOK has a forward P/E ratio of 13.23x and an upside of 4.81%, with 42 hedge fund holders [8][13]. - Recent target price adjustments include a downgrade by JPMorgan to $84 from $87, while Morgan Stanley lowered its target to $104 from $107, and UBS cut its target to $103 from $114 [9]. - Despite these adjustments, 14 out of 24 analysts (~58%) maintain a "Buy" rating, with a median target price of $83, indicating a potential upside of 4.81% [11]. American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ:AAL) - American Airlines has a forward P/E of 6.66x and an upside of 27.30%, with 43 hedge fund holders [13][17]. - The company reported record Q4-2025 revenue of $14 billion and full-year revenue of $54.6 billion, despite a $325 million impact from a government shutdown [14]. - Management projects a revenue growth of 7-10% in Q1 2026, with expected EPS of ~$1.70 to $2.70 per share, significantly higher than 2025 results [15]. - Analysts show a favorable outlook, with 15 out of 28 (~54%) having a "Buy" rating and a median target price of $17.32, suggesting a potential upside of 27.30% [17].

Core Viewpoint - ONEOK Inc. has increased its dividend payout to shareholders, reflecting a positive trend in its financial performance [1] Dividend Information - The company distributed a dividend of $1.07 per share on February 13, 2026 [1] - This represents a 3.88% increase from the previous quarter's dividend of $1.03 per share [1]

Core Insights - The article discusses the impact of extreme winter weather on the United States and hints at the importance of reliable sources for warmth during such conditions [1]. Company Insights - Scott Kaufman, known as Treading Softly, has over a decade of experience in the financial sector and serves as the lead analyst for Dividend Kings, focusing on high-quality dividend growth and undervalued investment opportunities [2]. - The goal of the analysis is to achieve substantial cash dividends and strong capital gains, contributing to a robust total return for investors [2]. Analyst Disclosures - The article includes disclosures indicating that the analysts have beneficial long positions in the shares of OKE and MPLX, either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives [3]. - The article is authored by the analysts themselves, expressing their own opinions without compensation from the companies mentioned [3]. Additional Disclosures - Seeking Alpha emphasizes that past performance does not guarantee future results and that no specific investment recommendations are provided [4]. - The views expressed may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole, and the analysts may not be licensed or certified by any regulatory body [4].

Core Viewpoint - Pipeline stocks such as Oneok, Kinetik Holdings, and Williams offer high dividend yields and potential for total returns, making them attractive investment opportunities [1][12]. Company Summaries Oneok (OKE) - Oneok recently increased its dividend by 4%, resulting in a yield of 5.5% and has a history of over 25 years of stable or increasing dividends [3][4]. - The company aims for a 3% to 4% annual dividend increase, supported by large-scale acquisitions and organic expansion projects expected to generate stable cash flow through 2028 [4]. - Oneok's financial strength allows for further expansion and acquisitions, enhancing its growth profile [4]. Kinetik Holdings (KNTK) - Kinetik recently declared a dividend payment that is 4% higher than the previous quarter, raising its yield to 8% [6][8]. - The company has been enhancing operations through a capital recycling strategy, selling minority stakes in non-operated pipelines and reinvesting in acquisitions and organic projects [8]. - Kinetik is positioned for growth, particularly in supplying gas to power generation facilities, which will support future dividend increases [8]. Williams (WMB) - Williams increased its dividend by 5%, raising its yield to 3.2%, and has a history of paying quarterly dividends since 1974 [9][11]. - The company has a significant backlog of organic expansion projects expected to come online through 2030, including gas-fired power facilities and a partnership for an LNG project [11]. - Williams is well-positioned to continue increasing its dividend due to ongoing pipeline expansions and power innovation projects [11].