Jefferies Upgrades Energy Transfer LP Unit Rating and Price Target
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 08 2026
0mins
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Rating Upgrade: Jefferies upgraded Energy Transfer LP Unit (ET) stock rating from Hold to Buy and raised the price target from $21 to $23, reflecting the company's ongoing success in the natural gas sector and improvements in its liquids business.
- Record Exports: In Q1 2026, Energy Transfer's natural gas liquids (NGL) exports surged 19%, setting a new record for the company, while NGL transportation volumes also increased by 12%, showcasing strong performance in liquid transportation.
- Fundamental Improvement: Jefferies noted that Energy Transfer's fundamentals have significantly improved compared to when the firm first initiated coverage, driven by strong U.S. production trends and rising Permian gas-oil ratios, which further bolstered investor confidence.
- Attractive Valuation: Supported by robust fundamentals, Jefferies believes Energy Transfer's valuation is discounted, prompting the upgrade of its stock rating, indicating a positive outlook from the market regarding the company's future prospects.
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Analyst Views on ET
Wall Street analysts forecast ET stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 18.750
Low
17.00
Averages
20.65
High
23.00
Current: 18.750
Low
17.00
Averages
20.65
High
23.00
About ET
Energy Transfer LP owns and operates a diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States, with more than 140,000 miles of pipeline and associated energy infrastructure. The Company’s strategic network spans 44 states with assets in all of the major United States production basins. Its core operations include complementary natural gas midstream, intrastate and interstate transportation and storage assets; crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL) and refined product transportation and terminalling assets; and NGL fractionation. The Company’s segments include intrastate transportation and storage, interstate transportation and storage, midstream, NGL and refined products transportation and services, crude oil transportation and services, investment in Sunoco LP, investment in USA Compression Partners, LP (USAC), and all other. It also owns Lake Charles LNG Company, LLC, its wholly owned subsidiary, which owns an LNG import terminal and regasification facility.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Energy Transfer Expands Natural Gas Liquids Export Capacity
- Capacity Expansion: Energy Transfer announced the expansion of its Nederland natural gas liquids export terminal, increasing ethane export capacity by 240K bbl/day and LPG capacity by 55K bbl/day to meet customer demand, with phased service expected to begin in 2028.
- Long-Term Agreements: All additional ethane export capacity has been secured under long-term agreements extending into the 2040s, ensuring stable future cash flows and a solid customer base.
- Infrastructure Development: The expansion will include increased pipeline capacity from Mont Belvieu to Nederland and the construction of two additional ship docks, expected to be available in H1 2027, further enhancing the company's export capabilities.
- Market Leadership: Following the expansion, Nederland's refrigerated NGL export capacity will exceed 1.25M bbl/day, combined with Marcus Hook's 420K bbl/day capacity, bringing Energy Transfer's total refrigerated export capacity to approximately 1.7M bbl/day, solidifying its market leadership along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
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- Large Infrastructure Scale: The company operates over 140,000 miles of energy infrastructure and pipeline networks in the U.S., one of the largest in the industry, ensuring its competitiveness and market share in energy transportation.
- Stable Profit Model: Energy Transfer generates revenue by charging fees based on volume to energy production companies, allowing it to maintain high dividend payouts despite limited growth potential, which is attractive for income-focused investors.
- Investor Considerations: While the dividend is appealing, the analyst team notes that Energy Transfer is not included in the current top ten stock recommendations, prompting investors to carefully evaluate its long-term investment value.
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- Dividend Yield: Energy Transfer boasts a distribution yield of 7.1%, with a five-year average of 7.4%, indicating its attractiveness for investors seeking passive income through dividends.
- Investment Returns: An investment of $14,000 at the current yield would yield $1,000 annually, while maintaining the five-year average would require only about $13,514, showcasing the efficiency of returns.
- Infrastructure Advantage: Operating in the midstream sector of the energy industry, the company has over 140,000 miles of energy infrastructure and pipelines, making it one of the largest networks in the U.S., which ensures a stable revenue stream.
- Limited Partnership Structure: As a limited partnership, Energy Transfer passes profits and losses to investors, allowing it to maintain high dividend payouts despite requiring additional tax steps like filing a K-1 form, making it suitable for income-focused investors.
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- Energy Transfer Company: Energy Transfer (ET) reported a 31.1% year-over-year revenue increase to $27.8 billion in Q1, with adjusted EBITDA rising 20.5% to $4.9 billion, indicating strong performance in its stable transportation business, complemented by an attractive 7.2% dividend yield, far exceeding the S&P 500's 1.1%.
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- Investment Outlook: Both companies are investing in pipeline and processing capacity expansions, expected to enhance future revenue and profitability, and they both have a history of stable dividend payments, increasing their attractiveness as long-term investments.
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- Energy Transfer Performance: Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET) reported a 31.1% year-over-year revenue increase to $27.8 billion in Q1, with adjusted EBITDA rising 20.5% to $4.9 billion, indicating a robust business model in energy transportation and storage, although its stock price appreciation lagged behind the overall energy sector.
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- Dividend Attractiveness: Energy Transfer offers a dividend yield of 7.2%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.1%, while Enterprise Products Partners boasts a 5.9% yield, demonstrating both companies' strong commitment to returning capital to shareholders, making them appealing to long-term investors.
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- Midstream Investment Opportunities: While upstream companies like Occidental Petroleum are affected by falling oil prices, midstream firms such as Energy Transfer and Enbridge remain solid investment choices as they transport oil and gas through pipelines, charging 'tolls' that ensure stable cash flow amid price fluctuations.
- Chevron's Long-Term Growth Potential: As one of the world's largest integrated energy companies, Chevron operates in 180 countries and expects its oil and gas production to grow by 2%-3% annually through 2030, driven by expansions in Kazakhstan and new projects, showcasing resilience amid oil price volatility.
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See More
Energy Transfer Expands Natural Gas Liquids Export Capacity
- Capacity Expansion: Energy Transfer announced the expansion of its Nederland natural gas liquids export terminal, increasing ethane export capacity by 240K bbl/day and LPG capacity by 55K bbl/day to meet customer demand, with phased service expected to begin in 2028.
- Long-Term Agreements: All additional ethane export capacity has been secured under long-term agreements extending into the 2040s, ensuring stable future cash flows and a solid customer base.
- Infrastructure Development: The expansion will include increased pipeline capacity from Mont Belvieu to Nederland and the construction of two additional ship docks, expected to be available in H1 2027, further enhancing the company's export capabilities.
- Market Leadership: Following the expansion, Nederland's refrigerated NGL export capacity will exceed 1.25M bbl/day, combined with Marcus Hook's 420K bbl/day capacity, bringing Energy Transfer's total refrigerated export capacity to approximately 1.7M bbl/day, solidifying its market leadership along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
See More
Energy Transfer's High Dividend Attracts Investors
- Dividend Yield Advantage: Energy Transfer boasts a distribution yield of 7.1%, with a five-year average of 7.4%, making it an ideal choice for high-yield investors seeking stable passive income from their holdings.
- Large Infrastructure Scale: The company operates over 140,000 miles of energy infrastructure and pipeline networks in the U.S., one of the largest in the industry, ensuring its competitiveness and market share in energy transportation.
- Stable Profit Model: Energy Transfer generates revenue by charging fees based on volume to energy production companies, allowing it to maintain high dividend payouts despite limited growth potential, which is attractive for income-focused investors.
- Investor Considerations: While the dividend is appealing, the analyst team notes that Energy Transfer is not included in the current top ten stock recommendations, prompting investors to carefully evaluate its long-term investment value.
See More
Analysis of High-Yield Dividends from Energy Transfer
- Dividend Yield: Energy Transfer boasts a distribution yield of 7.1%, with a five-year average of 7.4%, indicating its attractiveness for investors seeking passive income through dividends.
- Investment Returns: An investment of $14,000 at the current yield would yield $1,000 annually, while maintaining the five-year average would require only about $13,514, showcasing the efficiency of returns.
- Infrastructure Advantage: Operating in the midstream sector of the energy industry, the company has over 140,000 miles of energy infrastructure and pipelines, making it one of the largest networks in the U.S., which ensures a stable revenue stream.
- Limited Partnership Structure: As a limited partnership, Energy Transfer passes profits and losses to investors, allowing it to maintain high dividend payouts despite requiring additional tax steps like filing a K-1 form, making it suitable for income-focused investors.
See More
Energy Stocks Surge, Attracting Investors Amid Rising Commodity Prices
- Energy Sector Performance: As of June 8, the S&P 500 Energy sector surged 40% due to rising crude oil and natural gas prices, significantly outperforming the 22.9% increase in the S&P 500 ex-Energy, highlighting the sector's robust recovery and investment appeal.
- Energy Transfer Company: Energy Transfer (ET) reported a 31.1% year-over-year revenue increase to $27.8 billion in Q1, with adjusted EBITDA rising 20.5% to $4.9 billion, indicating strong performance in its stable transportation business, complemented by an attractive 7.2% dividend yield, far exceeding the S&P 500's 1.1%.
- Enterprise Products Partners: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) experienced a 6.7% year-over-year revenue decline to $14.4 billion, yet its adjusted EBITDA grew by 10%, demonstrating resilience amid market fluctuations, while offering a 5.9% dividend yield that appeals to long-term investors.
- Investment Outlook: Both companies are investing in pipeline and processing capacity expansions, expected to enhance future revenue and profitability, and they both have a history of stable dividend payments, increasing their attractiveness as long-term investments.
See More
Investment Opportunities in the Energy Sector
- Rising Energy Prices: The energy sector has performed strongly in 2023, with the S&P 500 Energy sector gaining 40% through June 8, significantly outpacing the 22.9% increase in the S&P 500 ex-Energy, reflecting investor confidence in the sector amid rising crude oil and natural gas prices.
- Energy Transfer Performance: Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET) reported a 31.1% year-over-year revenue increase to $27.8 billion in Q1, with adjusted EBITDA rising 20.5% to $4.9 billion, indicating a robust business model in energy transportation and storage, although its stock price appreciation lagged behind the overall energy sector.
- Enterprise Products Partners Dynamics: Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD) experienced a 6.7% year-over-year revenue decline to $14.4 billion, yet adjusted EBITDA grew by 10%, showcasing resilience in a cyclical market, while the company continues to invest in processing capacity and pipeline expansion projects expected to enhance future revenue and profitability.
- Dividend Attractiveness: Energy Transfer offers a dividend yield of 7.2%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 1.1%, while Enterprise Products Partners boasts a 5.9% yield, demonstrating both companies' strong commitment to returning capital to shareholders, making them appealing to long-term investors.
See More
Oil Price Fluctuations Impact Energy Stocks Performance
- Oil Price Volatility: Brent crude surged to $119.50 per barrel in March due to the outbreak of the Iran war, causing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, but has since retreated to around $87, highlighting the fragility of the Middle East situation.
- Midstream Investment Opportunities: While upstream companies like Occidental Petroleum are affected by falling oil prices, midstream firms such as Energy Transfer and Enbridge remain solid investment choices as they transport oil and gas through pipelines, charging 'tolls' that ensure stable cash flow amid price fluctuations.
- Chevron's Long-Term Growth Potential: As one of the world's largest integrated energy companies, Chevron operates in 180 countries and expects its oil and gas production to grow by 2%-3% annually through 2030, driven by expansions in Kazakhstan and new projects, showcasing resilience amid oil price volatility.
- Attractive Dividend Growth: Chevron has raised its dividend for 39 consecutive years, and if it maintains this for 50 years, it will become a Dividend King, with a current forward yield of 3.8%, making it appealing to investors, especially during periods of oil price instability.
See More
