Group 1 - The objective of investing is to create a stress-free portfolio that generates cash flow for consumption without reliance on a payroll [1] Group 2 - Roberts Berzins has over a decade of experience in financial management, assisting top-tier corporates in shaping financial strategies and executing large-scale financings [2] - Significant efforts have been made to institutionalize the REIT framework in Latvia to enhance the liquidity of pan-Baltic capital markets [2] - Contributions include the development of national SOE financing guidelines and frameworks for channeling private capital into affordable housing [2] - Roberts is a CFA Charterholder and holds an ESG investing certificate, with experience from an internship at the Chicago Board of Trade [2] - Actively involved in thought-leadership activities to support the development of pan-Baltic capital markets [2]

Core Insights - During market turbulence, investors often seek dividend-yielding stocks, which typically have high free cash flows and offer substantial dividends [1] Group 1: High-Yielding Stocks in Energy Sector - Vitesse Energy Inc (NYSE:VTS) has a dividend yield of 10.17%. Analyst Chris Baker from Evercore ISI Group maintained an In-Line rating and reduced the price target from $22 to $20, while analyst John White from Roth MKM maintained a Buy rating and increased the price target from $30.5 to $33 [7] - Delek Logistics Partners LP (NYSE:DKL) has a dividend yield of 9.76%. Analyst Gabriel Moreen from Mizuho maintained a Neutral rating and raised the price target from $44 to $45, while analyst Justin Jenkins from Raymond James maintained an Outperform rating and increased the price target from $44 to $46 [7] - Western Midstream Partners LP (NYSE:WES) has a dividend yield of 9.42%. Analyst Spiro Dounis from Citigroup reinstated a Neutral rating with a price target of $39, while analyst Robert Kad from Morgan Stanley maintained an Underweight rating and lowered the price target from $41 to $39 [7]

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgent need for energy to support its growth [1][2][3] - A specific company is highlighted as a key player in the AI energy sector, owning critical energy infrastructure assets that are essential for meeting the increasing energy demands of AI technologies [3][7] Investment Landscape - Wall Street is investing hundreds of billions into AI, but there is a looming question regarding the energy supply needed to sustain this growth [2] - AI data centers consume vast amounts of energy, comparable to that of small cities, leading to concerns about power grid strain and rising electricity prices [2][3] Company Profile - The company in focus is not a chipmaker or cloud platform but is positioned as a crucial player in the energy sector, particularly in nuclear energy infrastructure [7][8] - It is capable of executing large-scale engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects across various energy sectors, including oil, gas, and renewable fuels [7] Financial Position - The company is noted for being completely debt-free and holding a significant cash reserve, amounting to nearly one-third of its market capitalization [8] - It is trading at less than 7 times earnings, indicating a potentially undervalued position in the market [10] Market Trends - The company is poised to benefit from the onshoring trend driven by tariffs, as well as the surge in U.S. LNG exports under the current administration [5][14] - There is a growing recognition on Wall Street of this company's potential, as it quietly capitalizes on multiple favorable market trends without the high valuations seen in other sectors [8][9] Future Outlook - The demand for AI is expected to drive significant growth in energy needs, positioning this company as a vital player in the future energy landscape [3][12] - The influx of talent into the AI sector is anticipated to lead to rapid advancements, further solidifying the importance of energy infrastructure in supporting these developments [12][13]

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]

Core Points - Western Midstream Partners, LP has completed the acquisition of Aris Water Solutions, Inc, enhancing its position as a leading midstream flow-assurance provider in the Delaware Basin [2][3] - The merger allows Western Midstream to better address the challenges faced by producer customers in Texas and New Mexico regarding produced-water management [2] Acquisition Details - Each share of Aris Class A common stock and corresponding units was converted into either 0.625 common units of WES, $25.00 in cash, or a combination of 0.450 common units and $7.00 in cash [2][3] - Approximately 28% of the total merger consideration will be in cash, totaling $415.0 million, while about 72% will be in common units, amounting to approximately 26.6 million units [3] Company Overview - Western Midstream operates midstream assets across Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, focusing on natural gas and produced water management [4] - The company’s cash flows are largely protected from commodity price volatility through fee-based contracts, providing stability in operations [4]

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].

Core Insights - Western Midstream Partners (NYSE: WES) has shown a total return since the last analysis in early February, indicating positive performance in the market [1] Company Analysis - The focus is on undervalued and disliked companies or industries with strong fundamentals and good cash flows, particularly in the Oil & Gas sector [1] - Energy Transfer is highlighted as a company that was previously overlooked but has now gained attention, suggesting a potential for long-term value [1] Investment Strategy - The investment approach emphasizes long-term value investing while also exploring deal arbitrage opportunities, such as notable mergers and acquisitions [1] - There is a clear preference for businesses that are easily understandable, avoiding high-tech and certain consumer goods sectors [1]

Core Insights - Western Midstream Partners (NYSE: WES) has been identified as a noteworthy MLP with a total return since the last analysis in early February [1] Group 1: Company Analysis - The company has strong fundamentals and good cash flows, making it an attractive investment opportunity [1] - There is a focus on long-term value investing, particularly in sectors that are undervalued or disliked, such as Oil & Gas [1] Group 2: Investment Strategy - The analysis emphasizes the importance of identifying companies that have been overlooked for unjustified reasons, which could lead to substantial returns [1] - The analyst expresses a preference for traditional consumer goods over high-tech or fashion industries, indicating a specific investment philosophy [1]