The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB - Free Report) is set to release fourth-quarter results on Feb 20. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter is a profit of 47 cents per share on revenues of $3.2 billion.
Let’s delve into the factors that might have influenced the oil and gas pipeline operator’s performance in the December quarter. But it’s worth taking a look at Williams’ previous-quarter results first.
Highlights of Q3 Earnings & Surprise History
In the last reported quarter, the energy infrastructure provider beat the consensus mark on strong performance across its core businesses. Williams had reported adjusted earnings per share of 48 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 44 cents. Revenues of $3 billion generated by the firm also came 5.4% above the consensus mark.
WMB beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in each of the last four quarters, resulting in an earnings surprise of 14.2%, on average. This is depicted in the graph below:
Factors to Consider
Williams’ Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment — which includes the company’s crown jewel and the nation’s largest and fastest-growing natural gas pipeline system Transco — is expected to have generated robust profits in the fourth quarter.
The unit is likely to have benefited from expansion projects around Transco being placed into service over the past few years and additional volumes from its infrastructure on the back of strong drilling activity. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the segment’s adjusted EBITDA is pegged at $697 million for the to-be-reported quarter, up from the prior-year period’s level of $685 million.
The Northeast G&P unit — engaged in natural gas gathering and processing along with the NGL fractionation business in Marcellus and Utica shale regions — is also expected to have done well in the to-be-reported quarter. Echoing the segment’s healthy dynamics, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter’s adjusted EBITDA is projected at $465 million. The number suggests a $6 million increase from a profit of $459 million reported in the year-ago quarter.
On a somewhat bearish note, the increase in Williams’ costs might have dented the company’s to-be-reported bottom line. WMB’s total costs in the third quarter were $2.2 billion, nearly 4% higher than the prior-year period. The upward cost trajectory is likely to have continued in the fourth quarter due to the prevailing inflationary environment.
What Does Our Model Say?
The proven Zacks model does not conclusively show that Williams Companies is likely to beat estimates in the fourth quarter. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of beating estimates. But that’s not the case here.
You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, for this company is -6.07%.
Zacks Rank: WMB currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.
Stocks to Consider
While an earnings beat looks uncertain for WMB, here are some firms from the energy space that you may want to consider on the basis of our model:
ProPetro Holding Corp. (PUMP - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +21.30% and a Zacks Rank #1. The firm is scheduled to release earnings on Feb 21.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
For 2023, ProPetro Holding has a projected earnings growth rate of 596.1%. Valued at around $1.2 billion, PUMP has lost 19.9% in a year.
Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (PARR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +6.79% and a Zacks Rank #1. The firm is scheduled to release earnings on Feb 22.
For 2022, Par Pacific Holdings has a projected earnings growth rate of 539%. Valued at around $1.7 billion, PARR has gained 87.6% in a year.
Cheniere Energy (LNG - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +18.82% and a Zacks Rank #3. The firm is scheduled to release earnings on Feb 23.
For 2023, LNG has a projected earnings growth rate of 539.1%. Valued at around $37 billion, LNG has gained 27.3% in a year.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
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The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB - Free Report) is set to release fourth-quarter results on Feb 20. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter is a profit of 47 cents per share on revenues of $3.2 billion.
Let’s delve into the factors that might have influenced the oil and gas pipeline operator’s performance in the December quarter. But it’s worth taking a look at Williams’ previous-quarter results first.
Highlights of Q3 Earnings & Surprise History
In the last reported quarter, the energy infrastructure provider beat the consensus mark on strong performance across its core businesses. Williams had reported adjusted earnings per share of 48 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 44 cents. Revenues of $3 billion generated by the firm also came 5.4% above the consensus mark.
WMB beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in each of the last four quarters, resulting in an earnings surprise of 14.2%, on average. This is depicted in the graph below:
Factors to Consider
Williams’ Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment — which includes the company’s crown jewel and the nation’s largest and fastest-growing natural gas pipeline system Transco — is expected to have generated robust profits in the fourth quarter.
The unit is likely to have benefited from expansion projects around Transco being placed into service over the past few years and additional volumes from its infrastructure on the back of strong drilling activity. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the segment’s adjusted EBITDA is pegged at $697 million for the to-be-reported quarter, up from the prior-year period’s level of $685 million.
The Northeast G&P unit — engaged in natural gas gathering and processing along with the NGL fractionation business in Marcellus and Utica shale regions — is also expected to have done well in the to-be-reported quarter. Echoing the segment’s healthy dynamics, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter’s adjusted EBITDA is projected at $465 million. The number suggests a $6 million increase from a profit of $459 million reported in the year-ago quarter.
On a somewhat bearish note, the increase in Williams’ costs might have dented the company’s to-be-reported bottom line. WMB’s total costs in the third quarter were $2.2 billion, nearly 4% higher than the prior-year period. The upward cost trajectory is likely to have continued in the fourth quarter due to the prevailing inflationary environment.
What Does Our Model Say?
The proven Zacks model does not conclusively show that Williams Companies is likely to beat estimates in the fourth quarter. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of beating estimates. But that’s not the case here.
You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, for this company is -6.07%.
Zacks Rank: WMB currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.
Stocks to Consider
While an earnings beat looks uncertain for WMB, here are some firms from the energy space that you may want to consider on the basis of our model:
ProPetro Holding Corp. (PUMP - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +21.30% and a Zacks Rank #1. The firm is scheduled to release earnings on Feb 21.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
For 2023, ProPetro Holding has a projected earnings growth rate of 596.1%. Valued at around $1.2 billion, PUMP has lost 19.9% in a year.
Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (PARR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +6.79% and a Zacks Rank #1. The firm is scheduled to release earnings on Feb 22.
For 2022, Par Pacific Holdings has a projected earnings growth rate of 539%. Valued at around $1.7 billion, PARR has gained 87.6% in a year.
Cheniere Energy (LNG - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +18.82% and a Zacks Rank #3. The firm is scheduled to release earnings on Feb 23.
For 2023, LNG has a projected earnings growth rate of 539.1%. Valued at around $37 billion, LNG has gained 27.3% in a year.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Free Report Reveals How You Could Profit from the Growing Electric Vehicle Industry
Globally, electric car sales continue their remarkable growth even after breaking records in 2021. High gas prices have fueled his demand, but so has evolving EV comfort, features and technology. So, the fervor for EVs will be around long after gas prices normalize. Not only are manufacturers seeing record-high profits, but producers of EV-related technology are raking in the dough as well. Do you know how to cash in? If not, we have the perfect report for you – and it’s FREE! Today, don't miss your chance to download Zacks' top 5 stocks for the electric vehicle revolution at no cost and with no obligation.
>>Send me my free report on the top 5 EV stocks<<
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