Hess Midstream Raises 2026 Free Cash Flow Guidance to $910-$960 Million
Hess Midstream now expects total capital expenditures of approximately $105 million in 2026. Hess Midstream no longer expects to pay income tax in 2026 and does not expect to pay material income taxes until after 2028 as a result of the recently issued Additional Interim Guidance Regarding the Application of the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax. As a result, Hess Midstream is increasing its full year 2026 Adjusted Free Cash Flow guidance to $910 - $960 million and expects approximately $280 million Adjusted Free Cash Flow after Distributions at the midpoint of the updated guidance range after funding distributions that are targeted to grow at least 5% per annum on a distribution per Class A share basis. Hess Midstream continues to expect to generate approximately $1 billion of Adjusted Free Cash Flow after Distributions through 2028 that is expected to be available for incremental shareholder returns and debt repayment.
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- Earnings Growth: Hess Midstream LP reported a first-quarter profit of $87.6 million, translating to earnings per share of $0.68, which marks an increase from last year's $71.6 million and $0.65 per share, indicating improved profitability.
- Revenue Increase: The company's revenue rose to $390.1 million for the quarter, up 2.1% from $382.0 million last year, reflecting stable performance and ongoing customer demand in the market.
- Financial Health Indicators: The increase in both earnings and revenue compared to last year suggests improvements in operational efficiency and market competitiveness, potentially attracting more investor interest.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: With the growth in earnings and revenue, Hess Midstream may gain greater development opportunities in the future market environment, enhancing its strategic position in the energy infrastructure sector.
- Capital Expenditure Reduction: Hess Midstream has lowered its 2026 capital expenditure forecast from $150 million to approximately $100 million, a reduction of one-third, reflecting strategic optimization driven by upstream efficiency improvements and longer lateral technology, which is expected to enhance future free cash flow.
- Free Cash Flow Guidance Increase: The company has raised its adjusted free cash flow guidance for 2026 to between $910 million and $960 million, representing a year-over-year increase of about 20%, which will provide stronger funding support for shareholder returns and debt repayment, indicating an improvement in financial health.
- First Quarter Performance: For Q1 2026, net income was $158 million with adjusted EBITDA of $300 million, although down from the previous quarter, the company maintained an 83% gross adjusted EBITDA margin, demonstrating ongoing efforts in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Future Outlook: The company expects full-year 2026 net income to range between $650 million and $700 million, with adjusted EBITDA projected between $1.225 billion and $1.275 billion; despite planned maintenance impacts in Q2, management is confident in a recovery in the second half of the year, reflecting strong market demand.
- Net Income Performance: Hess Midstream reported a net income of $157.7 million in Q1 2026, slightly down from $161.4 million in Q1 2025, indicating the company's resilience amidst market challenges despite overall revenue fluctuations.
- Cash Flow and EBITDA: The net cash provided by operating activities was $253.3 million, with Adjusted EBITDA at $299.8 million, demonstrating ongoing improvements in cash flow management and profitability, which support future shareholder returns and debt repayment.
- Share Buyback Program: The company completed a $42 million repurchase of Class A shares and an $18 million repurchase of Class B units, further reducing the number of shares outstanding and enhancing earnings per share, reflecting the company's commitment to shareholder value.
- Dividend Increase: Hess Midstream raised its cash distribution for Class A shares to $0.7792 per share for Q1 2026, an increase of $0.0151 compared to Q4 2025, showcasing the company's dedication to returning value to shareholders based on sustained profitability.

- Strong Earnings Report: Hess Midstream LP reported a Q1 GAAP EPS of $0.68, beating expectations by $0.03, indicating robust performance that is likely to positively impact stock prices.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q1 revenue of $390.1 million, reflecting a 2.1% year-over-year increase and surpassing market expectations by $0.59 million, demonstrating sustained business growth and boosting investor confidence.
- Capital Expenditure Guidance Update: Hess Midstream updated its 2026 capital expenditures guidance to approximately $105 million, anticipating an increase in adjusted free cash flow to between $910 million and $960 million due to lower capital spending and deferral of income tax payments, enhancing financial flexibility.
- Performance Outlook Reaffirmed: The company reaffirmed its throughput, net income, and adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2026, projecting net income between $650 million and $700 million and adjusted EBITDA between $1.225 billion and $1.275 billion, reflecting confidence in future performance.

- Revenue Comparison: HESS reported Q1 revenue of USD 390.1 million, surpassing IBE's estimate of USD 389.5 million.
- Financial Performance: The revenue figures indicate a strong performance by HESS in the first quarter compared to industry estimates.
- Earnings Announcement: Hess Midstream LP is set to release its Q1 earnings on May 4 before market open, with a consensus EPS estimate of $0.67, reflecting a modest year-over-year growth of 3.1%, indicating potential stability in its financial performance.
- Revenue Expectations: The anticipated revenue for Q1 stands at $389.51 million, representing a 2.0% increase year-over-year, which, despite macroeconomic pressures, suggests resilience in the company's operational capabilities.
- Estimate Revision Trends: Over the past three months, EPS estimates have seen one upward revision and five downward adjustments, while revenue estimates have not been revised upward and have experienced four downward revisions, highlighting a cautious outlook from analysts regarding the company's future performance.
- Market Sentiment: Hess Midstream has declared a dividend of $0.7792, and despite receiving a “Sell” rating from Goldman Sachs, the company continues to focus on maintaining shareholder returns, demonstrating its ongoing appeal in a volatile market.








