Williams Companies is exploring buying natural gas production in the United States, a rare foray for an energy infrastructure operator, as it aims to secure natural gas supplies to support its one-sto... ...

The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB) is one of the 11 Best Pipeline and MLP Stocks to Buy in 2026. Morgan Stanley Reiterates Buy Rating for The Williams Companies (WMB) On January 28, 2026, Morgan Stanley’s analyst Robert Kad reiterated a Buy rating on The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB). The analyst maintained a price target of $83. Previously, the stock’s price target was raised by Scotiabank’s Brandon Bingham, who increased it from $61 to $66 while keeping a Sector Perform rating, on January 16 ...

With a market cap of $82.1 billion, The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB) owns and operates about 33,000 miles of natural gas pipelines and related assets. It provides natural gas transmission, gathering, processing, and marketing services across major energy-producing regions of the United States. Shares of the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based company have outperformed the broader market over the past 52 weeks. WMB stock has increased 19.7% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied 15.5 ...

Core Viewpoint - The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB) is well-positioned to benefit from the recent surge in natural gas prices due to extreme weather and supply disruptions, with a new price target set by Jefferies indicating potential growth in stock value [1][2][5]. Group 1: Company Performance - WMB's current stock price is $66.45, reflecting a slight decrease of 1.20% or $0.81, with fluctuations between $65.83 and $66.79 on the trading day [3]. - Over the past year, WMB's stock has ranged from a low of $51.58 to a high of $68.27, indicating market resilience and growth potential [3]. - The company's market capitalization is approximately $81.15 billion, showcasing strong investor confidence in its ability to navigate the energy sector [4][5]. Group 2: Market Conditions - Natural gas prices have surged due to extreme cold weather and supply disruptions, despite U.S. inventories being above the five-year average, benefiting companies like WMB [2]. - The March Henry Hub contract has seen a double-digit increase, highlighting favorable market conditions for natural gas [2].

Group 1: Company Overview - The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB) is a significant player in the energy sector, focusing on natural gas processing and transportation [1] - The company's market capitalization is approximately $81.18 billion, indicating its substantial presence in the energy market [4] Group 2: Stock Performance - WMB's current stock price is $66.48, reflecting a decrease of approximately 1.17% [3] - The stock has fluctuated between a low of $65.83 and a high of $66.79 today, with a yearly high of $68.27 and a low of $51.58, showcasing volatility [3] Group 3: Analyst Ratings and Price Target - Jefferies has maintained a "Buy" rating for WMB and increased its price target from $71 to $76 [1][5] Group 4: Market Conditions - Natural gas prices have surged due to cold weather and supply disruptions, benefiting companies like WMB [2][5] - Despite natural gas inventories being above the five-year average, extreme cold and temporary supply hits have driven prices higher, positioning WMB to capitalize on increased demand [2]

Core Viewpoint - Pipeline stocks such as Oneok, Kinetik Holdings, and Williams offer high dividend yields and potential for total returns, making them attractive investment opportunities [1][12]. Company Summaries Oneok (OKE) - Oneok recently increased its dividend by 4%, resulting in a yield of 5.5% and has a history of over 25 years of stable or increasing dividends [3][4]. - The company aims for a 3% to 4% annual dividend increase, supported by large-scale acquisitions and organic expansion projects expected to generate stable cash flow through 2028 [4]. - Oneok's financial strength allows for further expansion and acquisitions, enhancing its growth profile [4]. Kinetik Holdings (KNTK) - Kinetik recently declared a dividend payment that is 4% higher than the previous quarter, raising its yield to 8% [6][8]. - The company has been enhancing operations through a capital recycling strategy, selling minority stakes in non-operated pipelines and reinvesting in acquisitions and organic projects [8]. - Kinetik is positioned for growth, particularly in supplying gas to power generation facilities, which will support future dividend increases [8]. Williams (WMB) - Williams increased its dividend by 5%, raising its yield to 3.2%, and has a history of paying quarterly dividends since 1974 [9][11]. - The company has a significant backlog of organic expansion projects expected to come online through 2030, including gas-fired power facilities and a partnership for an LNG project [11]. - Williams is well-positioned to continue increasing its dividend due to ongoing pipeline expansions and power innovation projects [11].

Shares Of Energy Giant Williams Pop To Record High | Investor's Business DailyBREAKING: [Stocks Fall To Test Key Levels]---Amid a ferocious winter for much of the country, the price of natural gas rose to a three-year high this month. That and rising sales to AI data centers lifted The Williams Companies (WMB) stock to a record high Thursday above 68. Additionally, on Thursday the energy giant got an upgrade to its stock Relative Strength (RS) Rating, from 70…## Related news## Stocks With Rising Relative St ...

Core Insights - The midstream sector is demonstrating strong financial health at the start of 2026, with numerous companies announcing increases in distributions and dividends, reinforcing its position as a reliable income source for investors [1] Payout Growth Across Midstream - Williams (WMB) raised its quarterly cash dividend to $0.525 from $0.50, a 5% increase [1] - Plains All American (PAA/PAGP) increased its quarterly distribution to $0.4175 per unit, reflecting a 9.9% rise [1] - Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) raised its distribution to $0.55, nearly a 1% increase [1] - ONEOK (OKE) announced a 4% sequential increase to $1.07 per share [1] Broad Sector Momentum - Energy Transfer (ET) increased its quarterly distribution to $0.335, a 3.1% year-over-year rise from $0.325 [1] - Hess Midstream (HESM) raised its payout to $0.7641, marking a 9.0% year-over-year increase [1] - Sunoco LP (SUN) announced a distribution of $0.9317, a 5.1% year-over-year increase [1] - Genesis Energy (GEL) raised its distribution by $0.015 to $0.18 per unit, a 9.1% increase [1] - Kinetik (KNTK) raised its payout to $0.81, reflecting a 4% sequential increase [1] - Delek Logistics (DKL) increased its payout to $1.125, representing a 1.85% year-over-year rise [1] ETF Exposure - Energy Transfer, Enterprise, Hess Midstream, Genesis, Delek Logistics, Sunoco, and Plains are included in both the Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) and the Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (ENFR) [1] - AMLP tracks the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index (AMZI), while ENFR tracks the Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index (AMEI) [1] - Williams, ONEOK, and Kinetik operate as C-corps, with only ENFR holding them [1]

Some portion of this distribution may be considered a return of capital for tax purposes. Additional information regarding return of capital distributions is available at Williams' investor relations website. Williams has paid a common stock dividend every quarter since 1974. TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Williams' (NYSE: WMB) board of directors has approved a regular dividend of $0.525 per share, or $2.10 annualized, on the company's common stock, payable on March 30, 2026, to holders of record at the clo ...

The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB) is included in our list of the best AI energy stocks to buy now. Scotiabank Constructive on The Williams Companies (WMB) Amid Broader Reset of Energy Infrastructure Valuations On January 16, 2026, The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB) saw Scotiabank raise its price target from $61 to $66, while reiterating a ‘Sector Perform’ rating. The update came amid a broader reset of Energy Infrastructure valuations, citing structural tailwinds from rising power demand and a ...