5 Energy Dividend Stocks for Volatile Oil Markets
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 23 2024
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Iran-Israel Conflict: The conflict between Iran and Israel has paused after Israel's missile attack on Iran's Isfahan region, reducing risk premium in the oil market.
- Energy Demand Forecast: Despite the conflict pause, energy demand forecasts remain strong due to robust U.S. consumer data and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
- Investment Recommendations: Investors are advised to consider dividend-paying midstream stocks for stability in the volatile oil market.
- Top-Rated Midstream Operators:
- Targa Resources (TRGP): Strong Buy rating with a 1.77% dividend yield.
- Enterprise Products Partners (EPD): Strong Buy rating with a 6.95% dividend yield.
- Energy Transfer (ET): Strong Buy rating with a 7.89% dividend yield.
- Williams Companies (WMB): Moderate Buy rating with a 4.72% dividend yield.
- Kinder Morgan (KMI): Moderate Buy rating with a 6% dividend yield.
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Analyst Views on WMB
Wall Street analysts forecast WMB stock price to fall
14 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 71.960
Low
33.00
Averages
68.46
High
83.00
Current: 71.960
Low
33.00
Averages
68.46
High
83.00
About WMB
The Williams Companies, Inc. is an energy company. Its segments include Transmission & Gulf of America, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services. The Transmission & Gulf of America segment comprises the Transco, NWP, and MountainWest interstate natural gas pipelines, and their related natural gas storage facilities, as well as natural gas gathering and processing and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region. Northeast G&P comprises midstream gathering, processing, and fractionation businesses in the Marcellus Shale region. The West segment comprises gas gathering, processing, and treating operations in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado and Wyoming, the Barnett Shale region of north-central Texas, and the Eagle Ford Shale region of south Texas, among others. The Gas & NGL Marketing Services segment includes natural gas liquids (NGL) and natural gas marketing and trading operations.
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.
The Williams Companies, Inc. Stock Surges 8.01% Amid Mixed Q4 Results
- Stock Surge: The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB) saw its stock price increase by 8.01% between February 6 and February 13, 2026, making it one of the top-performing energy stocks this week, reflecting market confidence in its growth prospects.
- Earnings Highlights: Despite reporting an adjusted EPS of $0.55 for Q4 2025, falling short of expectations by $0.02, the company forecasts FY 2026 adjusted earnings between $2.20 and $2.38 per share, exceeding Wall Street's consensus of $2.28, indicating growth driven by new pipeline and offshore projects.
- Revenue Growth: The company's quarterly revenue reached $3.2 billion in 2025, marking a 16.6% year-over-year increase and beating expectations by nearly $12 million, showcasing its strong performance and rising market demand in the energy infrastructure sector.
- Investment and Dividends: WMB completed 1.1 Bcf/d of pipeline transmission projects in 2025 and upsized its Aquila and Apollo projects with an additional $900 million investment, while also raising its annual dividend by 5% to $2.10 for 2026, demonstrating its commitment to shareholder returns.
See More
Japan's $550 Billion Investment Reshapes U.S. Energy Market
- Investment Wave: Japan has initiated its $550 billion investment commitment, focusing on U.S. LNG exports, power generation, and critical minerals, which is expected to revitalize the American energy and industrial markets.
- LNG Exporters Benefit: Trump highlighted a new LNG facility in Texas on social media, aimed at expanding export capacity and further solidifying America's dominance in the global energy market, drawing increased investor attention.
- GE Vernova Growth Potential: As a specialist in power generation equipment and energy infrastructure, GE Vernova stands to benefit from the rising global demand for reliable gas-based electricity generation, enhancing its market share.
- Critical Minerals in Focus: Critical minerals are essential for defense systems and advanced manufacturing, and with foreign capital flowing into U.S. strategic industries, bullish sentiment towards LNG exporters and rare earth producers continues to grow.
See More
WILLIAMS COMPANIES INC: UBS Increases Price Target from $78 to $89
Company Announcement: Williams Companies Inc. has raised its star target price.
New Target Price: The new target price is set at $89, an increase from the previous $78.
See More
Williams Companies Shares Rise as Investors Shift Attention to Gas Demand
Stock Performance: Williams Companies' stock rose by 1.8% after reporting mixed fourth-quarter earnings, with adjusted earnings per share falling short of forecasts, but revenue exceeding expectations.
Natural Gas Demand: The company is a major player in transporting natural gas and is projected to see a 35% increase in demand over the next decade, driven by industrialization and power generation needs.
Market Trends: Despite a mixed season for energy stocks, Williams Companies is positioned in the midstream sector, benefiting from strong demand for natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
Investment Outlook: Analysts maintain a bullish outlook on the stock, although it appears stretched in the near term, suggesting a cautious approach while acknowledging the underlying positive trends in the energy market.
See More
Analysis of 13F Holdings for Williams Cos Inc
- Position Change Analysis: In the latest batch of 39 13F filings, 12 hedge funds held Williams Cos Inc (WMB), with 2 funds increasing their positions from September 30, 2025, to December 31, 2025, indicating sustained interest in the company.
- Aggregate Holdings Increase: The total shares held by hedge funds as of December 31, 2025, reached 267,533,791, up from 262,718,806 shares on September 30, 2025, reflecting an increase of 4,814,985 shares or approximately 1.83%, showcasing growing confidence in WMB.
- New Positions Insight: Among the latest 13F filers, 3 funds established new positions in WMB, suggesting rising investor interest in the stock, which may indicate potential for future growth.
- Investor Behavior Insights: While 13F filings only reveal long positions, analyzing changes across multiple funds provides a more comprehensive understanding of market sentiment and investor strategies, offering valuable insights for future investment decisions.
See More
WILLIAMS COMPANIES ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF AQUILA AND APOLLO PROJECTS TO 12.5-YEAR AGREEMENTS DURING CONFERENCE CALL
Project Extensions: The Williams Companies have extended their agreements related to the Aquila and Apollo projects.
Duration of Agreements: The new agreements have been extended to a duration of 12.5 years.
See More
The Williams Companies, Inc. Stock Surges 8.01% Amid Mixed Q4 Results
- Stock Surge: The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB) saw its stock price increase by 8.01% between February 6 and February 13, 2026, making it one of the top-performing energy stocks this week, reflecting market confidence in its growth prospects.
- Earnings Highlights: Despite reporting an adjusted EPS of $0.55 for Q4 2025, falling short of expectations by $0.02, the company forecasts FY 2026 adjusted earnings between $2.20 and $2.38 per share, exceeding Wall Street's consensus of $2.28, indicating growth driven by new pipeline and offshore projects.
- Revenue Growth: The company's quarterly revenue reached $3.2 billion in 2025, marking a 16.6% year-over-year increase and beating expectations by nearly $12 million, showcasing its strong performance and rising market demand in the energy infrastructure sector.
- Investment and Dividends: WMB completed 1.1 Bcf/d of pipeline transmission projects in 2025 and upsized its Aquila and Apollo projects with an additional $900 million investment, while also raising its annual dividend by 5% to $2.10 for 2026, demonstrating its commitment to shareholder returns.
See More
Japan's $550 Billion Investment Reshapes U.S. Energy Market
- Investment Wave: Japan has initiated its $550 billion investment commitment, focusing on U.S. LNG exports, power generation, and critical minerals, which is expected to revitalize the American energy and industrial markets.
- LNG Exporters Benefit: Trump highlighted a new LNG facility in Texas on social media, aimed at expanding export capacity and further solidifying America's dominance in the global energy market, drawing increased investor attention.
- GE Vernova Growth Potential: As a specialist in power generation equipment and energy infrastructure, GE Vernova stands to benefit from the rising global demand for reliable gas-based electricity generation, enhancing its market share.
- Critical Minerals in Focus: Critical minerals are essential for defense systems and advanced manufacturing, and with foreign capital flowing into U.S. strategic industries, bullish sentiment towards LNG exporters and rare earth producers continues to grow.
See More
WILLIAMS COMPANIES INC: UBS Increases Price Target from $78 to $89
Company Announcement: Williams Companies Inc. has raised its star target price.
New Target Price: The new target price is set at $89, an increase from the previous $78.
See More
Williams Companies Shares Rise as Investors Shift Attention to Gas Demand
Stock Performance: Williams Companies' stock rose by 1.8% after reporting mixed fourth-quarter earnings, with adjusted earnings per share falling short of forecasts, but revenue exceeding expectations.
Natural Gas Demand: The company is a major player in transporting natural gas and is projected to see a 35% increase in demand over the next decade, driven by industrialization and power generation needs.
Market Trends: Despite a mixed season for energy stocks, Williams Companies is positioned in the midstream sector, benefiting from strong demand for natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
Investment Outlook: Analysts maintain a bullish outlook on the stock, although it appears stretched in the near term, suggesting a cautious approach while acknowledging the underlying positive trends in the energy market.
See More
Analysis of 13F Holdings for Williams Cos Inc
- Position Change Analysis: In the latest batch of 39 13F filings, 12 hedge funds held Williams Cos Inc (WMB), with 2 funds increasing their positions from September 30, 2025, to December 31, 2025, indicating sustained interest in the company.
- Aggregate Holdings Increase: The total shares held by hedge funds as of December 31, 2025, reached 267,533,791, up from 262,718,806 shares on September 30, 2025, reflecting an increase of 4,814,985 shares or approximately 1.83%, showcasing growing confidence in WMB.
- New Positions Insight: Among the latest 13F filers, 3 funds established new positions in WMB, suggesting rising investor interest in the stock, which may indicate potential for future growth.
- Investor Behavior Insights: While 13F filings only reveal long positions, analyzing changes across multiple funds provides a more comprehensive understanding of market sentiment and investor strategies, offering valuable insights for future investment decisions.
See More
WILLIAMS COMPANIES ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF AQUILA AND APOLLO PROJECTS TO 12.5-YEAR AGREEMENTS DURING CONFERENCE CALL
Project Extensions: The Williams Companies have extended their agreements related to the Aquila and Apollo projects.
Duration of Agreements: The new agreements have been extended to a duration of 12.5 years.
See More
