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Cheniere Energy (LNG)
NYSE:LNG
Earnings Data
Report Date
Apr 30, 2026Before Open (Confirmed)
Period Ending
2026 (Q1)Consensus EPS Forecast
3.85Last Year’s EPS
1.57Same Quarter Last Year
Strong Buy
Based on 14 Analysts Ratings
Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Sentiment|Positive
The call communicated a predominantly positive operational and financial performance: record 2025 production and cargo volumes, strong full-year adjusted EBITDA and DCF (DCF above guidance), substantial progress on Stage 3 with Train 5 first LNG, robust contracting (including a new long-term SPA with CPC) and very high contractedness (>95% for the next decade). Management completed its multi‑year capital allocation plan early, increased buyback authorization, and maintained strong liquidity and balance sheet improvements. Key challenges include moderated spot margins expected in 2026, higher O&M/turnaround costs, feed-gas variability requiring resiliency capital, and competitive/market economics that are below Cheniere’s premium brownfield thresholds—issues management is actively addressing. Overall, the positive operational execution, strong cash generation, substantial contracting and capital allocation progress outweigh the manageable operational and market headwinds.Company Guidance
Strong Full-Year Financials (2025)
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA of approximately $6,940,000,000 for full-year 2025 (Q4 ~ $2,000,000,000); distributable cash flow (DCF) of ~ $5,300,000,000 for 2025 (Q4 ~ $1,500,000,000), which was approximately $100,000,000 above the high end of guidance; net income of ~ $2,300,000,000 in Q4.
Record Production and Export Volumes
2025 was a record year with 670 cargoes exported (~46,000,000+ tons). Q4 exported 185 LNG cargoes, up 22 cargoes versus Q3, and production reliability improved versus the prior quarter.
2026 Guidance with Higher Production
2026 guidance: consolidated adjusted EBITDA $6.75B–$7.25B; DCF $4.35B–$4.85B; CQP distributions $3.10–$3.40/unit. Production forecast of ~51–53 million tons for 2026, up roughly 5 million tons year over year.
Contracting and Commercial Momentum
New long-term SPA with CPC for up to 1.2 MTPA (delivered) commencing later in 2026 and extending through 2050; over 95% of capacity contracted for the next ten years; approximately 4 MTPA incremental contractedness in 2026 and less than 1 MTPA unsold open capacity remaining for 2026.
Stage 3 and Growth Project Execution
Corpus Christi Stage 3 ~95% complete with Trains 3 and 4 substantially complete; first LNG achieved at Train 5; Trains 5–7 expected substantial completion in spring, summer, and fall of 2026 respectively. Midscale Trains 8 and 9 progressing (piling halfway complete, Train 8 piles set), forecasted substantial completion in 2028.
Brownfield Expansion Visibility
Advancing SPL expansion toward FID with expectation to receive permits by year-end and FID on first phase in 2027; CCL brownfield Phase 1 FERC application submitted; line of sight to grow LNG platform by ~50% from current capacity.
Capital Allocation and Shareholder Returns
Completed 2020 Vision capital allocation plan ahead of schedule, deploying > $20,000,000,000 across growth, shareholder returns and balance sheet; repurchased ~40,000,000 shares for > $7,000,000,000 under the plan; 2025 repurchases >12,100,000 shares (~$2,700,000,000); Board increased share repurchase authorization to > $10,000,000,000 through 2030 (a $9,000,000,000 increase).
Dividend and Return Policy
Declared total dividends of $2.11 in 2025 and reiterated commitment to grow dividend ~10% annually through the decade; shareholder return framework targets roughly 60% of DCF to returns (split weighted to buybacks).
Balance Sheet Strength and Liquidity
Maintained substantial liquidity with ~ $1,600,000,000 consolidated cash and billions in undrawn revolver/term loan capacity; repaid $652,000,000 of long-term indebtedness in 2025, fully retired SPL 2025 notes and paid down SPL 2026 notes leaving no maturities until 2027; five credit-rating upgrades in 2025 and multiple upgrades over the plan.
Operational Optimization and Benefits
Outperformance vs guidance attributed to optimization activities, higher year-end Henry Hub pricing improving lifting margins, proactive locking of spot volumes (spot capacity effectively doubled year over year from ~2 to ~4 MTPA), and cargo timing benefits (some cargoes delivered in 2025 rather than 2026).
LNG Earnings History
The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.
Beat
Missed
LNG Earnings-Related Price Changes
Report Date | Price 1 Day Before | Price 1 Day After | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Feb 26, 2026 | $220.68 | $232.51 | +5.36% |
Oct 30, 2025 | $210.01 | $210.40 | +0.18% |
Aug 07, 2025 | $234.16 | $233.53 | -0.27% |
May 08, 2025 | $236.49 | $235.06 | -0.61% |
Earnings announcements can affect a stock’s price. This table shows the stock's price the day before and the day after recent earnings reports, including the percentage change.
FAQ
When does Cheniere Energy (LNG) report earnings?
Cheniere Energy (LNG) is schdueled to report earning on Apr 30, 2026, Before Open (Confirmed).
What is Cheniere Energy (LNG) earnings time?
Cheniere Energy (LNG) earnings time is at Apr 30, 2026, Before Open (Confirmed).
Where can I see when companies are reporting earnings?
You can see which companies are reporting today on our designated earnings calendar.
What companies are reporting earnings today?
You can see a list of the companies which are reporting today on TipRanks earnings calendar.
What is LNG EPS forecast?
LNG EPS forecast for the fiscal quarter 2026 (Q1) is 3.85.