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]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the reliability of brokerage recommendations, particularly focusing on Oneok Inc. (OKE), and emphasizes the importance of using these recommendations in conjunction with other analytical tools like the Zacks Rank for making informed investment decisions [1][5][10]. Brokerage Recommendations - Oneok has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.65, indicating a consensus between Strong Buy and Buy, based on recommendations from 17 brokerage firms [2][4]. - Out of the 17 recommendations, 11 are Strong Buy and 1 is Buy, which account for 64.7% and 5.9% of all recommendations, respectively [2]. Limitations of Brokerage Recommendations - Studies indicate that brokerage recommendations have limited success in guiding investors towards stocks with the best price increase potential [5]. - Analysts often exhibit a positive bias due to the vested interests of brokerage firms, leading to a disproportionate number of favorable ratings compared to negative ones [6][10]. Zacks Rank as an Alternative - The Zacks Rank is presented as a more reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, based on earnings estimate revisions rather than brokerage recommendations [8][11]. - The Zacks Rank is updated more frequently and reflects the latest earnings estimates, making it a timely tool for predicting future price movements [12]. Current Earnings Estimates for Oneok - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Oneok's current year earnings remains unchanged at $5.23, suggesting stability in analysts' views regarding the company's earnings prospects [13]. - Due to the unchanged consensus estimate and other factors, Oneok holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a cautious approach despite the Buy-equivalent ABR [14].

Core Insights - ONEOK is a rapidly growing midstream enterprise focused on natural gas with long-term potential for distributable cash flow and dividend growth [1] - The company is benefiting from increasing investments in the AI and Data Center industries [1] Company Overview - ONEOK operates primarily in the midstream sector, which involves the transportation and storage of natural gas [1] - The company has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its market position [1]

Group 1: Options Trading Insights - The recommended September call option has a leverage ratio of 7.5 and will double on a 13.6% gain in the underlying security [1] - A front-month gamma-weighted Schaeffer's open interest ratio (SOIR) above 1.00 may indicate an immediate pending move [1] - The Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) is in the 19th percentile of its annual range, suggesting options are a preferred trading route [1] Group 2: ONEOK, Inc. Stock Analysis - ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE) is attempting to establish a low at its 2020 highs, 2024 summer lows, and spring 2025 lows [2] - The shares are maintaining open interest (OI) balance at the 80-strike, with a previous low found at the peak put 75 strike in April [2] Group 3: Options Trading Services - Subscribers to Schaeffer's Weekend Trader received commentary on OKE along with detailed options trade recommendations [3] - OKE options are currently affordably priced, indicating potential for movement [3] - The service aims to provide structured plans with clear entry and exit points for traders [4]

Core Insights - ONEOK Inc. (OKE) is benefiting from increased fee-based earnings and capital expenditures aimed at strengthening its position in high-production regions [1][8] - The company is exposed to competitive risks in its pipeline business [1][6] Positive Drivers for OKE - ONEOK is expected to gain from long-term fee-based commitments across its three segments: Natural Gas Gathering and Processing, Natural Gas Liquids, and Natural Gas Pipelines and Refined Products and Crude [2] - More than 88% of its 2024 earnings are fee-based, with over 90% of 2025 revenues anticipated to come from fees [2][8] - The annual growth rate for natural gas liquid volumes from the Rocky Mountain region has exceeded 20%, while natural gas processing volumes have grown at 10% over the past five years [2] Capital Expenditures and Expansion - The company is investing in organic-growth projects to expand its services for crude-oil and natural-gas producers, with capital expenditures expected to be between $2.8 billion and $3.2 billion in 2025 [3] - In February 2025, ONEOK and MPLX LP formed joint ventures to construct a new 400,000 barrel-per-day liquefied petroleum gas export terminal in Texas City, along with a new pipeline connecting to its Mont Belvieu storage facility [4] Headwinds for OKE - ONEOK does not own all the land for its pipelines, which poses risks of incurring higher costs and potential operational impacts if land rights are not renewed [5] - The natural gas and natural gas liquid pipeline industries are highly competitive, with many energy companies forming master limited partnerships to launch pipeline services [6] Stock Performance - Over the past year, OKE shares have increased by 6.1%, compared to the industry's growth of 14.1% [7]

Company Overview - ONEOK (NYSE: OKE) is a leading player in the midstream sector, with a significant history dating back to its origins as the Oklahoma Natural Gas Company [1] - The company's infrastructure has expanded considerably, indicating strong growth and operational capabilities in the energy sector [1] Investment Focus - The analysis emphasizes a preference for undervalued and overlooked companies or industries that possess strong fundamentals and robust cash flows, particularly in sectors like Oil & Gas and consumer goods [1] - The investment strategy is centered on long-term value investing, while also exploring potential deal arbitrage opportunities in various sectors [1] Market Sentiment - The article highlights a specific interest in companies that have been "unloved for unjustified reasons," suggesting a potential for substantial returns in the future [1] - Energy Transfer is cited as an example of a company that was initially avoided by investors but has since shown promise [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the author's journey in dividend growth investing and the establishment of a blog that documents this journey, highlighting the importance of community and personal experience in investment strategies [1]. Group 1 - The author has been investing since September 2017 and has a long-standing interest in dividend investing since 2009 [1]. - The blog "Kody's Dividends" serves as a platform for documenting the journey towards financial independence through dividend growth investing [1]. - The author expresses gratitude for the blog's role in connecting with the Seeking Alpha community as an analyst [1]. Group 2 - The author holds long positions in the shares of OKE and MPLX, indicating a personal investment strategy focused on these companies [1]. - The article emphasizes that the author's opinions are personal and not influenced by compensation from any company mentioned [1].

Core Viewpoint - The energy sector is characterized by volatility, but certain stocks like Enterprise Products Partners, Oneok, and ExxonMobil present strong investment opportunities due to their stable dividends and growth potential [2]. Group 1: Enterprise Products Partners - Enterprise Products Partners is recognized for its reliable income, having increased its distribution annually for 26 consecutive years, with a recent growth rate in the mid-single digits [5][6]. - The company has a strong financial foundation, with distributable cash flow covering its distribution by 1.7 times in 2024, and an investment-grade-rated balance sheet [5][6]. - The current distribution yield is approximately 6.8%, significantly higher than the average energy stock yield of 3.5%, supported by a $7.6 billion capital investment program [6][7]. Group 2: Oneok - Oneok has demonstrated over 25 years of dividend stability and growth, nearly doubling its dividend over the past decade, outperforming peers in the pipeline sector [10]. - The company has achieved 11 consecutive years of adjusted EBITDA growth at a compound annual rate of 16%, showcasing its ability to thrive amid commodity price fluctuations [11]. - Oneok maintains a solid financial profile with a conservative leverage ratio of 3.5, allowing for continued investment in expansion projects, including a Texas City Logistics Export Terminal expected to commence in 2028 [12][13][14]. Group 3: ExxonMobil - ExxonMobil is a well-capitalized oil and gas producer, known for its strong dividend payments and growth plans, making it a favorable investment during market dips [15]. - The company generated $55 billion in cash flow from operations in 2024, with net earnings of $33.7 billion, driven by record production in key basins [16]. - ExxonMobil anticipates generating $20 billion in incremental earnings and $30 billion in cash flow from new projects by 2030, while maintaining a commitment to dividends, having increased them for 42 consecutive years [17].

Core Insights - ONEOK, Inc. announced the acquisition of the remaining 49.9% interest in Delaware G&P LLC for $940 million, consisting of $530 million in cash and $410 million in common stock [1][11] - The Delaware Basin joint venture has a processing capacity of over 700 million cubic feet per day and is located in West Texas and New Mexico [2][11] - Following the acquisition, ONEOK will become the sole owner of the Delaware Basin JV by May 28, 2025 [2][11] Company Expansion and Strategy - ONEOK is actively expanding its operations through strategic acquisitions, which enhance geographic diversification, infrastructure integration, and fee-based earnings [3][11] - Recent acquisitions include Magellan Midstream Partners, Easton Energy's NGL pipelines, Medallion Midstream, and EnLink Midstream, which collectively strengthen ONEOK's position in the oil and natural gas pipeline sector [4][5][11] - These acquisitions are expected to generate significant cost savings and synergies, thereby improving profitability [6] Industry Context - Other companies in the oil and gas sector, such as Energy Transfer and TotalEnergies, are also pursuing growth through mergers and acquisitions, indicating a trend in the industry [7][9] - Energy Transfer's acquisition of WTG Midstream Holdings LLC expanded its gas gathering pipeline network by 6,000 miles [8] - Devon Energy's acquisition of Grayson Mill Energy significantly increased its net acre position and production volume in the Williston Basin [12] Stock Performance - ONEOK's stock has experienced a decline of 9.4% over the past three months, compared to a 5.7% decline in the industry [14]