Energy Transfer: Is It Time to Buy the Stock as AI Opportunity Emerges?

Core Viewpoint - Energy Transfer is positioned as a strong investment opportunity due to its nearly 8% forward yield and significant growth prospects, particularly in supplying natural gas to AI data centers [1][9][11] Company Performance and Prospects - Energy Transfer has secured multiple agreements to supply natural gas to major data center projects, including three with Oracle, totaling 900 Mcf per day [3] - The company is also set to supply 300 Mcf per day to Fermi's Project Matador hypergrid campus under a 10-year deal [3] - The Desert Southwest pipeline project, valued at $5.3 billion, is fully subscribed under long-term agreements, indicating strong demand [4] - The Hugh Brinson Pipeline is on track for phase 1 completion by the end of 2026, with potential for increased capacity due to data center demand [4] Financial Overview - Energy Transfer plans to invest $4.6 billion in growth capital expenditures this year, down from an earlier estimate of $5 billion, reflecting cost efficiencies [5] - The company anticipates spending around $5 billion in capex next year, primarily in the natural gas segment, aiming for mid-teens returns [6] - Q3 adjusted EBITDA fell 3% year over year to $3.84 billion, with distributable cash flow dropping 4.5% to $1.9 billion [6][7] Valuation and Investment Appeal - The stock is trading at a forward enterprise value-to-EBITDA multiple of 7.8 times, significantly lower than the historical average of 13.7 times for MLPs [10] - The company's distribution is well-supported by its cash flow, and its balance sheet remains strong, making it an attractive buy at current levels [10][11]