Williams vs. Energy Transfer: Which Midstream Stock Offers More Value?

Industry Overview - The Zacks Oil and Gas Production and Pipeline industry is crucial for meeting global energy demand driven by economic growth and rising consumption in emerging markets [1] - While the long-term energy transition favors renewables, hydrocarbons remain vital for transportation, heating, and petrochemical production [1] - Technological advancements such as horizontal drilling and enhanced oil recovery are enhancing efficiency and unlocking new reserves, contributing to the sector's resilience and profitability [1] Pipeline Infrastructure - Pipeline infrastructure is essential for the efficient transport of crude oil, natural gas, and refined products [2] - Pipeline operators benefit from stable, fee-based revenue models and long-term contracts, providing predictable cash flows and insulation from commodity price fluctuations [2] - The growth of North American shale output and expanding export capacity is expected to significantly increase demand for midstream infrastructure [2] Company Analysis: Energy Transfer (ET) - Energy Transfer has a diversified midstream infrastructure that includes natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, and refined products, supported by stable, fee-based cash flows [3] - The company has strategic access to export terminals and a disciplined capital allocation approach, positioning it well for growth amid increasing U.S. energy production and global demand [3] - ET's earnings per share (EPS) estimate for 2026 has increased by 6.12%, while its 2025 estimate reflects a decline of 2.08% [6][7] - ET trades at a forward P/E of 12.03X, indicating a relative valuation advantage over WMB [7][9] - ET's current debt-to-capital ratio is 56.43%, lower than WMB's 64.84%, suggesting better leverage management [7][13] - ET's units have gained 9.2% in the past three months, outperforming WMB's 0.7% increase [15] Company Analysis: The Williams Companies (WMB) - The Williams Companies operates over 33,000 miles of pipelines, generating stable, fee-based revenues under long-term contracts [4] - The company's focus on natural gas aligns with the energy transition, providing a lower-carbon solution while supporting power generation and LNG exports [4] - WMB's EPS estimate for 2026 has increased by 3.32%, with a decline of 3.67% projected for 2025 [8] - WMB trades at a forward P/E of 25.01X, which is significantly higher than ET's valuation [9] - WMB's ROE is 15.95%, which is below the S&P 500's ROE of 32.01% [10] Conclusion - Energy Transfer is currently favored over The Williams Companies due to its higher earnings growth estimates, lower debt usage, cheaper valuation, and better price performance [17][18]