1 Dividend Giant Paying Over 7%, With Big Things Coming

Core Viewpoint - Energy Transfer is a notable dividend stock with a yield significantly higher than the S&P 500 average, despite facing a challenging year in terms of stock price performance [1][2]. Company Structure and Operations - The energy industry is segmented into upstream, midstream, and downstream, with Energy Transfer primarily operating in the midstream sector, managing over 130,000 miles of pipeline across 38 states, making it one of the largest midstream companies in the U.S. [3] - The company generates revenue by charging fees based on the volume of oil and gas transported, often secured through long-term contracts exceeding 20 years, which contributes to stable revenue [4]. Dividend Considerations - Energy Transfer operates as a limited partnership (LP), allowing it to pass profits and losses to investors, thus avoiding taxes and enabling higher dividend payouts. Its current dividend yield is slightly below its three-year average but remains among the highest in the Fortune 500 [5]. - The dividend payout is influenced by distributable cash flow (DCF), with a target increase of 3% to 5% annually [7]. Financial Performance and Growth Prospects - In Q1, Energy Transfer experienced a 2.8% year-over-year decrease in revenue and a 4.1% decline in DCF to $2.31 billion, which is not unusual for the cyclical energy sector [8]. - Despite the revenue slowdown, the company reported a 7% year-over-year revenue increase to $1.32 billion, claiming its strongest financial position in partnership history, supported by ongoing growth projects and acquisitions [9]. Recent Developments - Energy Transfer has signed a 20-year contract with Chevron for additional natural gas supply, expanded its Permian Basin capacity, and entered agreements with CloudBurst and Kyushu Electric Power to enhance its service offerings [11].