Core Viewpoint - The energy sector presents attractive dividend yields, with three high-yield energy stocks recommended for investment in February [1] Group 1: Enbridge - Enbridge offers a forward dividend yield of 5.6% and has increased its dividend for 30 consecutive years, supported by strong free cash flow [2] - The company operates over 18,000 miles of liquids pipelines and over 19,200 miles of natural gas pipelines, ranking as the largest natural gas utility by volume in North America [2] - Enbridge has expanded into renewable energy, with projects generating over 7.2 gigawatts of electricity [2] - JP Morgan downgraded Enbridge due to sluggish growth in its crude oil business, but it is expected to provide stability and reliable income [3] Group 2: Energy Transfer - Energy Transfer operates over 140,000 miles of pipeline across the U.S., transporting crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and refined products [4] - The company has a distribution yield of 7.3%, appealing to income investors, and benefits from the construction boom of data centers for AI systems [5] - Energy Transfer has signed agreements to supply natural gas to multiple data center operators, including CloudBurst, Fermi America, and Oracle over the past year [5] Group 3: Enterprise Products Partners - Enterprise Products Partners has a distribution yield of approximately 6.3% and has increased its distribution for 27 consecutive years [6] - The company is also positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities related to AI, with around $4.8 billion of projects under construction, expected to begin operations in 2026 [7] - Despite modest growth expectations for 2026, management projects a 10% growth in EBITDA and cash flow in 2027 [8]

Core Viewpoint - Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) has reported record financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025, driven by successful expansion projects and strong cash flows, allowing for a consistent increase in distributions for the 27th consecutive year [1][4]. Financial Performance - The company achieved a record $8.7 billion in adjusted cash flow from operations for the full year, with distributable cash flow covering its high-yielding payout by 1.7 times, enabling retention of $3.2 billion for future investments [4]. - In the fourth quarter, operational distributable cash flow covered rising cash distributions by 1.8 times, allowing the company to retain $1 billion for growth initiatives [3]. Growth Initiatives - Enterprise Products Partners completed several significant growth capital projects, including the Neches River Terminal and Bahia Pipeline, resulting in 10 volume records across its operations [3]. - The company plans to invest between $2.5 billion and $2.9 billion in growth capital projects in the current year, alongside an anticipated investment of $2 billion to $2.5 billion next year [7]. Strategic Partnerships - The expansion of the Bahia pipeline is being conducted in partnership with ExxonMobil, with expected service commencement by the fourth quarter of next year [8]. - The company is also expanding its Dark Horse facility and exploring opportunities to enhance gas pipeline systems to meet the increasing power demand from AI data centers [8]. Financial Stability - Enterprise Products Partners maintains a strong balance sheet with a low leverage ratio of 3.3 times, supporting its high-yielding payout and future growth [6]. - The company generated significant free cash flow, which will be utilized to strengthen its balance sheet, repurchase common units, and continue increasing distributions [9].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a record EBITDA of $2.7 billion for Q4 2025, surpassing the previous record of $2.6 billion in Q4 2024 [5][20] - Net income attributable to common unit holders was $1.6 billion, or $0.75 per common unit on a fully diluted basis for Q4 2025 [12] - Adjusted cash flow from operations grew 5% to $2.4 billion in Q4 2025, contributing to a record $8.7 billion for the full year [12][14] - The distribution declared for Q4 2025 was $0.55 per common unit, a 2.8% increase from Q4 2024 [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced weaker pay market margins in 2025, with RGP and PGP spreads dropping from $0.14 per pound in Q4 2024 to $0.03 per pound in Q4 2025 [7] - The company is fully contracted on its ethane export terminals and processing trains, with significant growth expected in 2026 and double-digit growth anticipated in 2027 [8][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Crude oil prices averaged about $12 per barrel lower than in 2024, impacting pricing and spreads [6] - The company loaded between 350 and 360 million barrels across 744 ships in 2025, with expectations to export near 1.5 million barrels a day of NGLs in the following year [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for modest growth in 2026, with expectations of double-digit growth in 2027 as new assets ramp up [8][18] - The partnership with Exxon is seen as a significant opportunity, with plans to expand the Bahia pipeline to 1 million barrels per day [9][71] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the operating environment has changed, with lower commodity prices affecting margins [6] - The company expects discretionary free cash flow to be around $1 billion in 2026, with a focus on buybacks and debt retirement [19] Other Important Information - Total capital investments were $1.3 billion in Q4 2025, with $1 billion allocated for growth capital projects [14] - The company has returned $5 billion of capital to equity investors in 2025, with a payout ratio of 58% [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for 2026 and 2027 growth - Management indicated that growth in 2026 is expected to be at the lower end of the 3%-5% range, with modest cash flow and EBITDA growth anticipated [28] Question: NGL export cadence and earnings contribution - Management explained that the ramp-up of earnings from NGL exports will continue into 2026, with full utilization expected by the second quarter [31] Question: Impact of Waha prices on operations - Management clarified that the company benefits from both low and high Waha prices through gas transport capacity and storage assets [34] Question: Producer customers' plans for 2026 - Management reported that Midland volumes are outperforming expectations, with a record number of well connects [36] Question: Negotiating power of large EMPs - Management expressed confidence in their ability to negotiate favorable contracts regardless of the size of the EMPs involved [41] Question: Buyback strategy and pace - Management confirmed that 50%-60% of free cash flow is expected to be allocated towards buybacks, with a mix of opportunistic and programmatic purchases [50] Question: Demand trends in international markets - Management noted that demand for U.S. LPG remains resilient, with strong interest in export capacity [55]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a record EBITDA of $2.7 billion for Q4 2025, surpassing the previous record of $2.6 billion in Q4 2024 [5][22] - Net income attributable to common unit holders was $1.6 billion, or $0.75 per common unit on a fully diluted basis for Q4 2025 [12] - Adjusted cash flow from operations grew 5% to $2.4 billion in Q4 2025, contributing to a record $8.7 billion for the full year [12][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced weaker pay market margins in 2025, with RGP and PGP spreads dropping from $0.14 per pound in Q4 2024 to $0.03 per pound in Q4 2025 [6][7] - The company is fully contracted on its ethane export terminals and processing trains, with expectations for modest growth in 2026 and double-digit growth in 2027 as new assets ramp up [8][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Crude oil prices averaged about $12 a barrel lower than in 2024, impacting price spreads and overall performance [6] - The company loaded between 350 and 360 million barrels across 744 ships in 2025, with expectations to export near 1.5 million barrels a day of NGLs by next year [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for modest adjusted EBITDA and cash flow growth in 2026, with a target of 10% growth in 2027 as new assets come online [19][22] - The partnership with ExxonMobil is seen as a significant opportunity, with plans for expansion and collaboration on various projects [9][72] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the current operating environment is shaped by new market realities, including lower commodity prices and weaker spreads [6][19] - The company expects discretionary free cash flow to be around $1 billion in 2026, with a focus on buybacks and debt retirement [20][21] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately $50 million of its common units in Q4 2025, totaling about $300 million for the year [14] - Total capital investments were $1.3 billion in Q4 2025, with $1 billion allocated for growth capital projects [15][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for 2026 and 2027 growth - Management indicated that growth in 2026 is expected to be at the lower end of the 3%-5% range, with a more favorable outlook for 2027 [30] Question: NGL export cadence and earnings contribution - Management explained that the Neches River Terminal's ramp-up will continue into 2026, with full utilization expected by the second quarter [32] Question: Impact of Waha prices on operations - Management clarified that low Waha prices benefit gas transport capacity, while higher prices allow for monetization through storage assets [35] Question: Producer customers' plans for 2026 - Management reported that Midland volumes are outperforming expectations, with a record number of well connections [37] Question: Negotiating power of larger E&Ps - Management expressed confidence in their ability to negotiate favorable contracts regardless of E&P size [42] Question: Buyback strategy and methodology - Management confirmed that 50%-60% of discretionary free cash flow is expected to be allocated towards buybacks [52] Question: Demand trends in international markets - Management noted resilient demand for U.S. LPG in new markets, indicating healthy long-term interest in export capacity [57] Question: Opportunities for collaboration with Exxon - Management highlighted ongoing collaboration with Exxon across multiple projects, emphasizing the potential for future growth [72]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a record EBITDA of $2.7 billion for Q4 2025, surpassing the previous record of $2.6 billion in Q4 2024 [4] - Net income attributable to common unit holders was $1.6 billion, or $0.75 per common unit on a fully diluted basis for Q4 2025 [11] - Adjusted cash flow from operations grew 5% to $2.4 billion in Q4 2025, leading to a record $8.7 billion for the full year [11][12] - The distribution declared for Q4 2025 was $0.55 per common unit, a 2.8% increase from Q4 2024 [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced weaker pay market margins in 2025, with RGP and PGP spreads dropping from $0.14 per pound in Q4 2024 to $0.03 per pound in Q4 2025 [5] - The company has fully contracted its ethane export terminals and processing trains, with expectations for modest growth in 2026 and double-digit growth in 2027 as assets ramp up [6][17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Crude oil prices averaged about $12 per barrel lower than in 2024, impacting pricing and spreads [4] - The company loaded between 350 and 360 million barrels across 744 ships in 2025, with expectations to export near 1.5 million barrels a day of NGLs by next year [7][8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for modest adjusted EBITDA and cash flow growth in 2026, with a target of 10% growth in 2027 [17] - The partnership with ExxonMobil is seen as a significant opportunity, with plans to expand the Bahia pipeline to 1 million barrels per day [14][68] - The company is focusing on long-term agreements with producers and petrochemical customers to support growth in various segments [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the current operating environment is shaped by new market realities, including lower crude oil prices and weaker commodity-sensitive business performance [4][5] - The management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate challenges and highlighted strong customer relationships as a key driver of future success [11] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately $50 million of its common units in Q4 2025, totaling about $300 million for the year [12] - Total capital investments were $1.3 billion in Q4 2025, with $1 billion allocated for growth capital projects [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk us through the 2026 growth outlook? - Management indicated that growth in 2026 is expected to be at the lower end of the 3%-5% range, with modest cash flow and EBITDA growth anticipated [26][28] Question: Can you expand on the NGL export cadence and earnings contribution? - Management explained that the ramp-up of earnings from the Matrix River expansion will continue into 2026, with full utilization expected by the second quarter [30] Question: How does EPD benefit from changes in Waha prices? - Management stated that the company benefits from both low and high Waha prices through gas transport capacity and storage assets [32] Question: What are producer customers saying about their plans for 2026? - Management reported that Midland volumes are outperforming expectations, with a record number of well connects and significant growth anticipated in the Delaware Basin [35] Question: Can you discuss the partnership with Exxon and future opportunities? - Management expressed optimism about the partnership with Exxon, highlighting multiple areas for collaboration and potential growth [68] Question: What is the outlook for the Haynesville Acadian expansion? - Management confirmed that the expansion is driven by a mix of private and public producers, enhancing the gathering system's capacity [82]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBITDA for 2025 reached just over $7 billion, reflecting a mid-single-digit three-year growth CAGR [4] - Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter increased by 2% year-over-year to $1.8 billion, while distributable cash flow decreased by 4% to $1.4 billion due to increased interest expenses [16][17] - The company returned $1.2 billion to unit holders in distributions and unit repurchases during the quarter [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the crude oil and products logistics segment, adjusted EBITDA increased by $52 million year-over-year, driven by a revised FERC tariff and higher rates [13] - The natural gas and NGL services segment saw adjusted EBITDA decrease by $10 million year-over-year, primarily due to the divestiture of non-core assets and lower NGL prices [14] - Gathered volumes in the natural gas and NGL segment increased by 2% year-over-year, while processing volumes decreased by 1% [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Natural gas demand in the U.S. is anticipated to grow over 15% through 2030, driven by LNG export capacity expansion and rising power needs [5] - The company is focusing 90% of its growth capital on the natural gas and NGL services segment, particularly in the Permian and Marcellus basins [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to invest $2.4 billion in 2026 to support long-term structural growth, with a focus on natural gas and NGL value chains [5] - The capital plan includes significant projects like the Harmon Creek III gas processing complex and the Secretariat II processing plant, expected to deliver mid-teens returns [9][11] - The company aims to optimize its portfolio through divestitures of non-core assets to align future capital deployment with the strongest return opportunities [5] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term fundamentals of the energy market and the company's ability to capture value from growth opportunities [8] - The company anticipates growth in 2026 to exceed that of 2025, driven by increased throughput on existing assets and new assets coming online [19] - Management expects to maintain a distribution growth rate of 12.5% for the next two years, supported by disciplined capital deployment [18] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with a cash balance of $2.1 billion and plans to utilize this cash in alignment with its capital allocation framework [17] - The company is focused on maintaining a leverage ratio below 4.0x and ensuring distribution coverage remains above 1.3 times [63] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about your confidence in the mid-teens return target for the project backlog? - Management emphasized strict capital discipline and the expectation of mid-teens returns from capital investments, supporting mid-single-digit growth [24] Question: Can you provide an update on the commercialization of the Northwind synergy projects? - Management noted that the Northwind sour gas facility is critical for future growth and will support both legacy and new volumes [28] Question: How do you view the new opportunities for LPG exports with the recent India-U.S. trade deal? - Management expressed strong demand for NGL and natural gas, viewing the trade deal as supportive of their long-term LPG export strategy [38] Question: Will you consider M&A opportunities in 2026 if the right opportunities arise? - Management confirmed they are open to M&A opportunities that meet their strict capital discipline and strategic alignment criteria [40] Question: How do recent consolidations in the upstream community affect your growth outlook? - Management indicated that recent consolidations do not pose immediate risks to contract renegotiations and will continue to be an important part of their portfolio [48] Question: Is the 2026 growth expectation inclusive of the headwind from the Rockies asset sale? - Management confirmed that the 2026 growth expectation accounts for the headwind from the Rockies asset sale [53] Question: How should we think about capital allocation and leverage moving forward? - Management reiterated their capital allocation philosophy, prioritizing maintenance capital, distribution growth, and growth capital while managing leverage [62]

FOURTH QUARTER 2025 EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL February 3, 2026 M P L X | 4 Q 2 0 2 5 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This presentation contains forward-looking statements regarding MPLX LP (MPLX). These forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, MPLX's expectations, estimates and projections concerning its business and operations, financial priorities, including with respect to positive free cash flow and distribution coverage, strategic plans, capital return plans, capital expenditure plans, o ...

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) is one of the best cheap stocks to buy for 2026. On January 21, Goldman Sachs increased its price target for Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) to $19.00 from $18.50 and kept a Neutral rating on the stock. The firm attributed the adjustment mainly to the upcoming USAC/J-W Power acquisition in the first quarter of 2026. The other key factor is minor tweaks to assumptions about re-contracting in natural gas liquids (NGLs) and crude oil segments, which led to a roughly 1% rise in longer ...

Core Insights - MPLX LP reported a fourth-quarter 2025 net income of $1,193 million, an increase from $1,099 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, with adjusted EBITDA rising to $1,804 million from $1,762 million in the same period [1][5]. Financial Performance - For Q4 2025, MPLX generated $1,496 million in net cash from operating activities, $1,417 million in distributable cash flow, and $1,567 million in adjusted free cash flow [2]. - The full year 2025 saw MPLX generate $5.9 billion in net cash from operating activities, $5.8 billion in distributable cash flow, and $1.0 billion in adjusted free cash flow, compared to $5.9 billion, $5.7 billion, and $3.9 billion in 2024 respectively [3]. - The company announced a distribution of $1.0765 per common unit for Q4 2025, resulting in a distribution coverage of 1.3x for the quarter [2][5]. Growth and Investments - In 2025, MPLX invested over $4 billion to grow its natural gas and NGL value chains and plans to execute growth anchored in the Permian and Marcellus basins in 2026 [4]. - The company is advancing its strategic initiatives to meet the growing demand for natural gas and NGLs, aiming for mid-single digit adjusted EBITDA growth [4]. Segment Performance - The Crude Oil and Products Logistics segment's adjusted EBITDA increased by $52 million in Q4 2025 compared to Q4 2024, driven by a FERC tariff ruling and higher rates [9]. - The Natural Gas and NGL Services segment's adjusted EBITDA decreased by $10 million in Q4 2025, primarily due to a reduction associated with the divestiture of non-core assets and lower natural gas liquids prices [11]. Capital Expenditure and Future Outlook - MPLX's capital spending outlook for 2026 is $2.7 billion, with $2.4 billion allocated for growth and $300 million for maintenance [13]. - The company is focusing on expanding its Permian to Gulf Coast integrated value chain and investing in processing capacity in response to producer demand [13]. Financial Position - As of December 31, 2025, MPLX had $2.1 billion in cash and a leverage ratio of 3.7x, with cash flows supporting a leverage range of 4.0x [18]. - The partnership repurchased $100 million of common units in Q4 2025, with approximately $1.1 billion remaining under its unit repurchase authorizations [19].

Core Viewpoint - The energy sector, particularly midstream businesses, offers high-yield investment opportunities for income-focused investors in 2026, despite the overall volatility of oil and natural gas commodities [1]. Industry Overview - The energy industry is divided into upstream, midstream, and downstream segments, with upstream and downstream being inherently volatile due to commodity price fluctuations. In contrast, midstream businesses, which own energy infrastructure assets, are more stable as they primarily charge fees for asset usage [2][3]. Midstream Business Characteristics - Midstream companies connect upstream producers to downstream processors and charge fees based on the volume of energy transported rather than commodity prices, leading to more consistent revenue streams [3]. High-Yield Midstream Options - Three notable midstream companies with attractive dividend yields are Enbridge, Enterprise Products Partners, and Energy Transfer, each offering different risk and yield profiles [4]. Enbridge (ENB) - Current Price: $48.28, Market Cap: $105 billion, Dividend Yield: 5.58%, has diversified operations including oil and natural gas pipelines and clean energy, and has increased its dividend for 30 consecutive years [5][6]. Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) - Current Price: $33.10, Market Cap: $72 billion, Dividend Yield: 6.57%, operates solely in oil and natural gas midstream assets, and has a history of conservative management with 27 years of annual dividend increases [7][8]. Energy Transfer (ET) - Current Price: $18.16, Market Cap: $62 billion, Dividend Yield: 7.25%, has the highest yield among the three but previously cut its distribution in 2020 to strengthen its balance sheet, with plans for gradual distribution growth of 3% to 5% annually [9][10].