Morgan Stanley Upheld Buy Rating for The Williams Companies (WMB)

Company Overview - The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB) is a major energy infrastructure company founded in 1908, handling approximately one-third of the natural gas used in the U.S. The company specializes in gathering, processing, and interstate transportation of natural gas [4]. Investment Ratings - On January 28, 2026, Morgan Stanley's analyst Robert Kad reiterated a Buy rating on The Williams Companies, maintaining a price target of $83 [2]. - Scotiabank's Brandon Bingham raised the stock's price target from $61 to $66 on January 16, 2026, while keeping a Sector Perform rating, citing increased opportunities for energy infrastructure stocks due to strong power demand and LNG exports [2]. Industry Developments - The PJM Board of Managers proposed a 2026 plan on January 16, 2026, to integrate data centers and large load customers, aiming to enhance grid reliability and affordability. The plan includes a connect and manage framework for large loads and a backstop generation procurement process [3]. - The Williams Companies, along with other identified companies, is seen as a potential critical infrastructure partner to address the growing demand from data centers and ensure grid reliability [3].