Core Viewpoint - Midstream operators are positioned to benefit from increasing demand for natural gas driven by artificial intelligence, data centers, and LNG exports, while providing reliable cash flow and high distribution yields. Group 1: Energy Transfer - Energy Transfer offers a yield of 7.4%, supported by strong distributable cash flow, with approximately 90% of EBITDA derived from fee-based contracts, many of which are take-or-pay [2][4] - The company is increasing its capital expenditures from $3 billion in 2024 to $5 billion this year to capitalize on growing power demand and LNG exports [3] - Energy Transfer has signed a supply agreement with Cloudburst for a data center project in Texas and is seeing progress on the Lake Charles LNG project, enhancing its growth prospects [4] Group 2: Enterprise Products Partners - Enterprise Products Partners has a yield of 6.8% and has increased its payout for 26 consecutive years, with about 85% of cash flow coming from fee-based contracts [5][6] - The company is pursuing $7.6 billion in growth projects, with $6 billion expected to go live this year, and has increased its spending on these projects from $3.9 billion last year to $4.5 billion this year [6] Group 3: Western Midstream - Western Midstream offers a yield of 9.4% and maintains a strong balance sheet with a leverage ratio below 3, supported by cost-of-service contracts and minimum volume commitments [7][8] - The company aims for mid-single-digit annual distribution increases while investing in expansion opportunities, notably the Pathfinder produced-water system, which is projected to cost over $450 million [8] Group 4: MPLX - MPLX has a yield of 7.5% and has achieved double-digit distribution growth for three consecutive years, with its distribution covered 1.5 times by cash flow [9][10] - The company is increasing its expansion capex to $1.7 billion in 2025, driven by demand for natural gas and NGLs, and is enhancing its infrastructure through full ownership of the BANGL pipeline and a joint venture with Oneok [10][11] Group 5: Kinder Morgan - Kinder Morgan has the lowest yield at 4.1% but controls about 40% of U.S. natural gas flow, with 80% of cash flow from volumetric fee-based contracts [13][15] - The company's project backlog has surged to $8.8 billion, primarily focused on power demand related to AI and LNG facilities, with expected EBITDA yields of 16.7% on new spending [14][15] - Kinder Morgan has improved its balance sheet, reducing leverage from 5.1 in 2017 to 4 in 2024, positioning itself well for future growth amid rising natural gas export demand [15]

Core Viewpoint - Energy prices are currently volatile due to geopolitical issues, making the energy sector risky for investors. However, focusing on midstream energy businesses can mitigate commodity risk, with Enterprise Products Partners being highlighted as a strong investment option [1]. Midstream Energy Overview - Midstream energy businesses differ from upstream and downstream sectors as they own infrastructure like pipelines and storage facilities, generating consistent cash flows through fees rather than being directly tied to commodity prices [4]. - Midstream companies typically distribute a significant portion of their cash flows as dividends, which are generally generous in this sector [4]. Investment Comparison - Energy Transfer offers a distribution yield of 7.2%, while Enterprise Products Partners has a yield of 6.9%. Despite the higher yield from Energy Transfer, long-term dividend investors may prefer Enterprise due to its reliability [5][6]. - Enterprise Products Partners has a history of consistent distribution growth, having increased its payouts for 26 consecutive years, contrasting with Energy Transfer, which cut its dividend during the 2020 energy downturn [8][9]. Financial Stability - Enterprise Products Partners maintains a solid financial foundation with an investment-grade rated balance sheet and realistic management goals that are consistently met [9]. - In contrast, other midstream companies like Energy Transfer and Kinder Morgan have faced challenges, including dividend cuts and unmet growth promises during economic downturns [10][11]. Conclusion on Investment Choice - For investors looking for stability and reliability in the energy sector, Enterprise Products Partners is recommended over other midstream options like Energy Transfer or Kinder Morgan, especially for those investing $1,000 or more [12][13].

HOUSTON, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE: TRGP) ("Targa" or the "Company") announced today that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.00 per common share, or $4.00 per common share on an annualized basis, for the second quarter of 2025. This cash dividend will be paid August 15, 2025 on all outstanding common shares to holders of record as of the close of business on July 31, 2025. The Company will report its second quarter 2025 financial results b ...

Key Takeaways EPD hiked its quarterly cash payout to $0.545 per unit, marking a 1.9% increase from the prior distribution. The partnership has raised distributions for over two decades, supported by long-term shipper contracts. A $7.6B midstream expansion aims to boost future cash flow with new pipelines, plants and export facilities.Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) recently announced that its board of directors has approved an increase in quarterly cash distributions for the second quarter. The new cas ...

Group 1 - Summit Midstream Corporation (SMC) has made its 2024 Schedule K-3 packages available online for common and preferred unitholders [1][2] - Common unitholders can access their Schedule K-3 at a specified website, while preferred unitholders have a different link for access [1] - SMC provides assistance for unitholders needing help with their Schedule K-3 through email and phone support [1] Group 2 - A limited number of unitholders, particularly foreign unitholders and those needing to compute a foreign tax credit, may require detailed information from Schedule K-3 for their tax reporting [2] - It is encouraged for unitholders to review the information on Schedule K-3 and consult with tax advisors if necessary [2] Group 3 - SMC focuses on developing, owning, and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets in key unconventional resource basins across the continental United States [3] - The company provides services such as natural gas, crude oil, and produced water gathering, processing, and transportation under long-term, fee-based agreements [3] - SMC operates in five major basins: Williston, Denver-Julesburg, Fort Worth, Arkoma, and Piceance, and has an investment in Double E Pipeline, LLC for interstate natural gas transportation [3]

Group 1 - Antero Midstream Corporation declared a cash dividend of $0.225 per share for Q2 2025, amounting to an annualized rate of $0.90 per share [2] - The dividend will be payable on August 6, 2025, to stockholders of record as of July 23, 2025, marking the 43rd consecutive quarterly dividend since the company's IPO in November 2014 [2] - The company repurchased approximately 1.0 million shares for about $16.8 million during Q2 2025, with $426 million remaining under its $500 million share repurchase program as of June 30, 2025 [2] Group 2 - Antero Midstream plans to release its Q2 2025 earnings on July 30, 2025, after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange [3] - A conference call to discuss the financial and operational results is scheduled for July 31, 2025, at 10:00 am MT, with a Q&A session for analysts to follow [3] - The company provides access to the live webcast and related earnings conference call presentation on its website, with an archive available until August 7, 2025 [3] Group 3 - Antero Midstream Corporation operates midstream gathering, compression, processing, and fractionation assets in the Appalachian Basin, along with integrated water assets servicing Antero Resources Corporation's properties [4]

Targa's Value Proposition and Growth - Targa is the largest gatherer and processor in the Permian Basin, driving integrated returns through NGL pipeline transportation, fractionation, and LPG exports[9] - The company has experienced significant volume growth, with a +24% CAGR in fractionation volumes and +12% CAGR in LPG export volumes from FY 2019 to YTD 3Q24[12] - Permian natural gas inlet volumes have grown at a +25% CAGR from Q4 2019 to YTD 3Q24[16] - Targa's adjusted EBITDA has grown by +182% since 2019, driven by its integrated NGL business and strong business fundamentals[19] Financial Performance and Shareholder Returns - Management expects to recommend to Targa's Board of Directors an increase to the 2025 quarterly cash common dividend to $4.00 per share annualized for the first quarter of 2025, representing a +33% YoY increase[9, 10] - Targa has repurchased over 202 million shares since October 2020 at a weighted average price of ~$7069[19] - The company's 2024E fee-based volumes in G&P are approximately ~90%[9, 66] - Targa expects to return 40-50% of adjusted cash flow from operations across a multi-year horizon[75] Permian Basin and Infrastructure - Targa has a premier Permian asset footprint with ~88 Bcf/d gross processing capacity across 43 plants[26, 27, 80] - The company is expanding its Permian G&P footprint, with several new plants scheduled to come online between 1Q25 and 3Q26[32, 94] - Targa's Daytona NGL Pipeline has a capacity of 400 MBbl/d and was expected to be in service in 3Q24[95]

This growing midstream company still has a bright future.Energy Transfer (ET -1.22%) is considered by many to be a reliable income investment. It's a midstream company that operates over 135,000 miles of pipeline across 44 states, and it charges upstream and downstream companies to use its infrastructure with its "toll road" business model.The business operations are well-insulated from volatile commodity prices. As long as its customers keep their crude oil, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and ot ...

Core Viewpoint - Energy Transfer LP is identified as one of the largest midstream master limited partnerships in the United States, with an extensive network of pipelines for natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, and refined products [1] Company Overview - Energy Transfer LP operates a vast pipeline network that includes natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, and refined products [1] Investment Strategy - The company aims to generate a 7%+ income yield by investing in a portfolio of energy stocks while minimizing the risk of principal loss [1] - A two-week free trial is currently being offered for the investment service, providing subscribers with early access to research and investment ideas [1]

Group 1: Ares Capital - Ares Capital is the largest publicly traded business development company (BDC) with over $17 billion invested since 2004, focusing on middle-market companies with annual revenues between $10 million and $1 billion [3][4] - The company offers a forward dividend yield of 8.63% and has maintained or grown its dividend for 63 consecutive quarters [3][4] - Ares Capital targets a total addressable market of approximately $5.4 trillion, benefiting from a shift towards private capital, and has a diversified portfolio with strong industry relationships and risk management [4][5] Group 2: Enterprise Products Partners - Enterprise Products Partners is a master limited partnership (MLP) leading the North American midstream energy industry, operating over 50,000 miles of pipeline [6][7] - The company has a forward distribution yield of 6.81% and has increased its distribution for 26 consecutive years [7][8] - Demand for oil and gas, particularly natural gas, is expected to grow for decades, ensuring strong demand for Enterprise Products Partners' pipelines [8][9] Group 3: Verizon Communications - Verizon Communications is a major telecommunications company serving millions globally, with a forward dividend yield of 6.22% and a history of increasing dividends for 18 consecutive years [10][11] - The company is expected to maintain its relevance in the market due to the high capital requirements for new competition in wireless services [11][12] - With the upcoming 6G technology, Verizon is anticipated to be a significant player, potentially leading to impressive growth opportunities in the future [12]