Kinder Morgan Unveils Preliminary 2026 Guidance

Core Insights - Kinder Morgan (KMI) has provided a 2026 forecast indicating a 4% increase in adjusted EBITDA to $8.7 billion and an adjusted EPS of $1.37, reflecting an approximate 8% growth from previous guidance [1][8] - The company plans to increase its annualized dividend for the ninth consecutive year to $1.19 per share while maintaining a net debt to adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio around 3.8, at the lower end of its long-term target band of 3.5–4.5 [2] Financial Projections - For 2026, Kinder Morgan plans $3.4 billion in discretionary capital expenditure, which will be funded through internally generated cash flows, supporting its stable business model as a leading transporter of natural gas [3][8] - The long-term take-or-pay contracts for KMI's pipeline and storage assets ensure a consistent revenue stream, providing stability against fluctuations in natural gas volumes [4][8] Industry Context - Other midstream players such as The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB), Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (EPD), and MPLX LP (MPLX) also exhibit stable fee-based revenues and are less vulnerable to oil and gas price volatility, each currently holding a Zacks Rank 3 [5] - WMB is planning to invest $3.95 billion to $4.25 billion in capital expenditure by 2025, significantly higher than its $1.5 billion expenditure in 2024 [6] - MPLX returned a total of $1.1 billion to its unit holders in the third quarter of 2025, demonstrating a strong focus on returning capital through distributions and unit repurchases [7]