During times of turbulence and uncertainty in the markets, many investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. These are often companies that have high free cash flows and reward shareholders with a high dividend payout.Benzinga readers can review the latest analyst takes on their favorite stocks by visiting Analyst Stock Ratings page. Traders can sort through Benzinga's extensive database of analyst ratings, including by analyst accuracy.Below are the ratings of the most accurate analysts for three high-yield ...

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Core Viewpoint - The energy sector has underperformed since the new bull market began in 2022, with the S&P 500 Energy Index only up about 3% compared to a 14% gain in the overall market [1][2]. Industry Performance - Energy stocks have struggled due to concerns over slowing global demand and a shift in investor preference towards higher-growth sectors like technology and communication services [2][3]. - Oil prices have decreased to approximately $61 per barrel, struggling to surpass the $70 psychological level [3]. - The energy sector is currently trading at significant discounts, presenting a higher risk-reward profile compared to the broader market, which is facing premium valuations [4]. Long-term Outlook - The long-term outlook for the energy sector remains positive, bolstered by a $750 billion trade agreement between the U.S. and the European Union, which mandates the EU to purchase U.S. energy exports over the next three years [5][6]. - Achieving the $750 billion target is ambitious, as current import levels are under $100 billion, requiring the EU to import 67% of its energy needs from the U.S. [6]. Methodology for Stock Selection - The list of the most profitable energy stocks was compiled using Finviz to screen for companies with positive earnings and over $1 billion in trailing twelve-month (TTM) net income, focusing on those with a TTM Operating Margin of at least 15% and popularity among elite hedge funds [8]. - The strategy of selecting stocks that hedge funds favor has historically outperformed the market, with a reported return of 427.7% since May 2014 [9]. Notable Energy Stocks - **Western Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE:WES)**: TTM Operating Margin of 43.29%, TTM Net Income of $1.27 billion, and 5 hedge fund holders. UBS has a 'Neutral' rating with a $40 price target, awaiting the completion of a $1.4 billion acquisition [10][11]. - **MPLX LP (NYSE:MPLX)**: TTM Operating Margin of 39.64%, TTM Net Income of $4.31 billion, and 13 hedge fund holders. UBS has a 'Buy' rating with a $64 price target, citing expected volume growth and an increase in EBITDA estimates [13][14].

Core Viewpoint - Western Midstream Partners, LP announced a quarterly cash distribution of $0.910 per unit for Q3 2025, maintaining the same level as the previous quarter [1] Group 1: Financial Announcements - The cash distribution is annualized at $3.64 per unit and will be payable on November 14, 2025, to unitholders of record by October 31, 2025 [1] - The Partnership plans to report its Q3 2025 results after market close on November 4, 2025, with a conference call scheduled for November 5, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. Central [2][3] Group 2: Company Overview - Western Midstream Partners, LP is a master limited partnership focused on developing, acquiring, owning, and operating midstream assets across Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming [4] - The company engages in various activities including gathering, compressing, treating, processing, and transporting natural gas, as well as handling condensate, natural-gas liquids, crude oil, and produced water [4] - A significant portion of WES's cash flows is secured through fee-based contracts, reducing direct exposure to commodity price volatility [4]

Core Insights - Texas has a long history of wealth generated from natural resources, particularly oil and gas, which has led to the establishment of funds that provide financial benefits to its citizens [1][2] - The Texas Royalty Plan allows individuals, even non-residents, to receive payments from oil and gas revenues, with some individuals reporting substantial earnings [6][7] - The state is experiencing a significant boom in oil production, with a notable increase in annual output due to advancements in shale extraction [8][15] Texas Oil and Gas Wealth - Texas has two major funds, the Permanent School Fund and the Permanent University Fund, which are financed by oil royalties and support educational initiatives [2] - The state has seen a 577,990% increase in oil production over the past 17 years, contributing to the financial benefits available to citizens [8] - The Texas Royalty Plan has consistently raised payments for 28 years, indicating a stable income source for participants [7][15] Investment Opportunities - The Texas Royalty Plan is associated with Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) that are required to distribute 90% of their earnings to shareholders, offering high dividend yields [10][22] - Current yields for these investments range from 6.8% to 9.6%, which is significantly higher than average stock market dividends [11][14] - Companies like Enterprise Products Partners (EPD), Energy Transfer (ET), and Western Midstream Partners (WES) are highlighted as potential investment opportunities within the Texas oil sector [24][26] Market Dynamics - Texas is becoming a hub for data centers due to its cheap and abundant energy, particularly natural gas, which is essential for powering these facilities [19][20] - The state's energy infrastructure is expanding, with a record production of 12.62 trillion cubic feet of natural gas anticipated in 2024, further supporting the growth of the Texas Royalty Plan [20] - Legislative efforts are underway to enhance Texas's digital infrastructure, positioning the state as a leader in the AI data center market [18]

Accessibility StatementSkip Navigation HOUSTON, Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Western Midstream Partners, LP ("WES") (NYSE: WES) today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Aris Water Solutions, Inc. ("Aris"). "I am pleased to announce the completion of WES's acquisition of Aris Water Solutions, solidifying our position as one of the largest three-stream midstream, flow-assurance providers in the Delaware Basin," said Oscar K. Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer of WES. "We are thrille ...

Core Viewpoint - Western Midstream is experiencing fluctuations in stock performance, with upcoming earnings expected to show growth in EPS and revenue compared to the previous year [2][3]. Company Performance - In the latest trading session, Western Midstream's stock increased by 1.05% to $37.65, underperforming the S&P 500's gain of 1.56% [1]. - Over the past month, the company's shares have decreased by 2.84%, slightly better than the Oils-Energy sector's loss of 2.93% but lagging behind the S&P 500's gain of 0.41% [1]. Earnings Estimates - The upcoming EPS for Western Midstream is projected at $0.87, indicating a 17.57% increase year-over-year [2]. - Revenue is expected to reach $954.2 million, reflecting an 8.02% increase compared to the same quarter last year [2]. - For the full year, earnings are estimated at $3.4 per share, a decrease of 15.42% from the previous year, while revenue is projected at $3.76 billion, an increase of 4.27% [3]. Analyst Sentiment - Recent modifications to analyst estimates for Western Midstream are crucial, as they often indicate changes in short-term business dynamics [4]. - Positive revisions in estimates suggest analysts' confidence in the company's performance and profit potential [4]. Valuation Metrics - Western Midstream is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 10.95, which is lower than the industry average Forward P/E of 16.95 [7]. - The Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing - Master Limited Partnerships industry, part of the Oils-Energy sector, holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 93, placing it in the top 38% of over 250 industries [7]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), has a strong historical performance, with 1 stocks averaging an annual return of +25% since 1988 [6]. - Western Midstream currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), with a recent consensus EPS projection increase of 1.34% over the past 30 days [6].

Western Midstream Partners (NYSE: WES ) has been one of those MLPs that has been on my radar since my last analysis of the company in early February. The company has since posted a total returnAs a detail-oriented investor with a strong foundation in finance and business writing, I focus on analyzing undervalued and disliked companies or industries that have strong fundamentals and good cash flows. I have a particular interest in sectors such as Oil&Gas and consumer goods. Basically, anything that has been ...

Western Midstream Partners (NYSE: WES ) has been one of those MLPs that has been on my radar since my last analysis of the company in early February. The company has since posted a total returnAs a detail-oriented investor with a strong foundation in finance and business writing, I focus on analyzing undervalued and disliked companies or industries that have strong fundamentals and good cash flows. I have a particular interest in sectors such as Oil&Gas and consumer goods. Basically, anything that has been ...

Core Points - Western Midstream Partners, LP (WES) and Aris Water Solutions, Inc. (Aris) announced preliminary results of elections made by Aris securityholders regarding the merger consideration in connection with WES's acquisition of Aris [1] Company Summary - The merger consideration is part of the pending acquisition transaction between WES and Aris, as outlined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated August 6, 2025 [1]