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Western Midstream Partners (WES)
NYSE:WES
US Market

Western Midstream Partners (WES) AI Stock Analysis

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WES

Western Midstream Partners

(NYSE:WES)

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Outperform 78 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:78Outperform
Price Target:
$46.00
▲(11.98% Upside)
The score is driven primarily by strong financial performance (high margins, improving leverage, and healthy cash generation). Valuation is supportive with an 8.90% dividend yield and moderate P/E, while technicals indicate a stable uptrend but neutral momentum. Earnings call takeaways were positive overall, tempered by throughput and margin headwinds in certain basins.
Positive Factors
Strategic Acquisition
The acquisition of Aris Water Solutions strengthens WES's market position and operational capabilities, offering synergies and expanding its service offerings in a key region.
Cash Flow Generation
Strong cash flow generation supports WES's ability to fund growth initiatives, maintain distributions, and manage debt, ensuring long-term financial stability.
Fee-Based Revenue Model
A fee-based revenue model insulates WES from commodity price volatility, ensuring predictable cash flows and supporting consistent financial performance.
Negative Factors
Throughput Declines
Decreased throughput in crude oil and NGLs could impact revenue and operational efficiency, posing a challenge to maintaining growth momentum.
Powder River Basin Challenges
Challenges in the Powder River Basin may hinder WES's ability to capitalize on growth opportunities, affecting its overall market presence and revenue potential.
Cost Pressures
Rising cost pressures could erode margins, impacting profitability and limiting the company's ability to invest in growth and innovation.

Western Midstream Partners (WES) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Western Midstream Partners Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWestern Midstream Partners, LP, a midstream energy company, together with its subsidiaries, acquires, owns, develops, and operates primarily in the United States. It is involved in gathering, compressing, treating, processing, and transporting natural gas; gathering, stabilizing, and transporting condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and crude oil; and gathering and disposing produced water. It also buys and sells natural gas, NGLs, and condensate. The company operates assets located in Texas, New Mexico, the Rocky Mountains, and North-central Pennsylvania. Western Midstream Holdings, LLC operates as the general partner of the company. The company was formerly known as Western Gas Equity Partners, LP and changed its name to Western Midstream Partners, LP in February 2019. Western Midstream Partners, LP was incorporated in 2007 and is based in The Woodlands, Texas.
How the Company Makes MoneyWestern Midstream Partners generates revenue primarily through fee-based contracts, which provide stable cash flows regardless of commodity price fluctuations. Key revenue streams include gathering and processing fees from natural gas and NGLs, transportation fees from crude oil pipelines, and storage fees. The company benefits from long-term contractual arrangements with various producers, ensuring a predictable revenue base. Additionally, WES may engage in joint ventures or partnerships with other energy companies, enhancing its operational capabilities and expanding its market reach, which further contributes to its earnings.

Western Midstream Partners Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 04, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 18, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mix of positive and negative aspects. Highlights included record adjusted EBITDA, a strategic acquisition, and operational cost reductions. However, there were challenges such as decreased throughput in crude oil and NGLs, and expected declines in the Powder River Basin due to commodity price weakness.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Adjusted EBITDA
WES achieved its second consecutive quarter of record adjusted EBITDA, driven by lower operational costs and cost reduction initiatives.
Acquisition of Aris Water Solutions
WES completed the acquisition of Aris Water Solutions, enhancing its position as a leading midstream flow assurance provider in the Delaware Basin with targeted $40 million of annual run rate synergies.
Increased Natural Gas Throughput
WES achieved the highest total natural gas throughput in its history, with significant contributions from the Delaware Basin.
Operational and Maintenance Expense Reduction
Operational and maintenance expenses decreased by 5% or $12 million quarter-over-quarter due to less asset maintenance and repair expenses.
Free Cash Flow and Distribution
WES generated free cash flow of $397 million and declared a quarterly distribution of $0.91 per unit, consistent with the prior quarter.
Negative Updates
Crude Oil and NGLs Throughput Decline
Crude oil and NGLs throughput decreased by 4% on a sequential quarter basis, primarily due to decreased throughput from the Delaware Basin.
Powder River Basin Throughput Challenges
Natural gas and crude oil throughput in the Powder River Basin is expected to decline due to lower customer activity levels and continued commodity price weakness.
Decreased Adjusted Gross Margin for Natural Gas
The adjusted gross margin for natural gas decreased by $0.05 per Mcf on a sequential quarter basis due to lower excess natural gas liquids volumes and lower pricing in the Delaware Basin.
Fourth Quarter Margin Expectations
The fourth quarter per Mcf adjusted gross margin for natural gas is expected to be slightly lower relative to the third quarter, with minimal financial impact expected from intermittent volume curtailments.
Company Guidance
During the third quarter of 2025, Western Midstream Partners reported strong financial and operational performance, highlighted by a second consecutive quarter of record adjusted EBITDA and the highest total natural gas throughput in the partnership's history. The acquisition of Aris Water Solutions was completed on October 15, enhancing Western Midstream's position as a leading 3-stream midstream flow assurance provider in the Delaware Basin, with anticipated annual run rate synergies of $40 million. Despite a 2% sequential increase in natural gas throughput, crude oil and NGLs throughput decreased by 4%. The company expects mid-single digits percentage growth for natural gas and low single digits for crude oil and NGLs year-over-year. Produced water throughput is projected to increase by approximately 40% compared to 2024 levels. The company anticipates its fourth quarter per barrel adjusted gross margin for crude oil and NGLs to align with third quarter results and expects to hit the high end of its 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance range of $2.35 billion to $2.55 billion. Capital expenditures for 2025 are expected to reach the high end of the $625 million to $775 million range, with 2026 capital expenditures anticipated to be at least $1.1 billion. The company's strong balance sheet and investment-grade credit ratings support its extensive growth plans, with leverage expected to remain at or near 3x through 2026.

Western Midstream Partners Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong profitability (TTM gross margin 77.24%, net margin 35.18%) and solid cash generation (TTM free cash flow growth 13.17%; operating cash flow to net income 3.39). Balance sheet risk has improved meaningfully with sharply lower leverage (debt-to-equity 0.0039 TTM), though modest revenue growth (1.88% TTM) and slight EBIT margin decline indicate some cost/pressure risk.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Western Midstream Partners demonstrates strong profitability with a high gross profit margin of 77.24% and a solid net profit margin of 35.18% for TTM. Revenue growth is positive, albeit modest at 1.88% TTM, indicating stability in revenue generation. EBIT and EBITDA margins are robust, reflecting efficient operations. However, the slight decline in EBIT margin from the previous year suggests potential cost pressures.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's balance sheet shows a significant improvement in leverage, with a debt-to-equity ratio dropping to 0.0039 TTM from over 2 in previous years, indicating reduced financial risk. Return on equity remains strong at 39.60%, showcasing effective use of equity capital. However, the equity ratio is not explicitly provided, which could offer additional insights into asset financing.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Cash flow analysis reveals a healthy free cash flow growth rate of 13.17% TTM, indicating strong cash generation capabilities. The operating cash flow to net income ratio of 3.39 suggests efficient cash conversion, while the free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.82 reflects solid cash retention. These metrics highlight the company's ability to generate and manage cash effectively.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.74B3.61B3.11B3.25B2.88B2.77B
Gross Profit2.85B2.78B2.34B2.25B2.00B2.09B
EBITDA2.42B2.64B1.99B2.16B1.85B1.38B
Net Income1.32B1.57B1.02B1.22B916.29M527.01M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets12.13B13.14B12.47B11.27B11.27B11.83B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments177.29M1.09B272.79M286.66M202.00M444.92M
Total Debt7.00B8.14B7.96B6.83B6.95B7.89B
Total Liabilities8.80B9.77B9.44B8.16B8.18B8.93B
Stockholders Equity3.18B3.24B2.90B2.97B2.96B2.76B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.47B1.27B913.12M1.21B1.45B1.22B
Operating Cash Flow2.22B2.11B1.65B1.70B1.77B1.64B
Investing Cash Flow-724.90M-39.17M-1.61B-218.24M-257.54M-448.25M
Financing Cash Flow-2.44B-1.25B-58.83M-1.40B-1.75B-871.98M

Western Midstream Partners Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price41.08
Price Trends
50DMA
39.16
Positive
100DMA
38.08
Positive
200DMA
37.16
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.41
Positive
RSI
62.91
Neutral
STOCH
36.30
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WES, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 41.08 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 40.26, above the 50-day MA of 39.16, and above the 200-day MA of 37.16, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.41 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 62.91 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 36.30 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for WES.

Western Midstream Partners Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$7.49B12.298.45%10.78%19.10%
79
Outperform
$12.85B32.319.04%2.70%20.39%-3.85%
79
Outperform
$13.97B15.929.78%8.54%-7.53%9.74%
78
Outperform
$16.76B11.9240.29%9.13%5.81%-13.58%
74
Outperform
$8.93B19.1022.52%4.98%8.70%21.42%
72
Outperform
$16.07B24.1010.33%8.03%-7.53%11.27%
65
Neutral
$15.17B7.614.09%5.20%3.87%-62.32%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WES
Western Midstream Partners
41.08
3.51
9.34%
PAA
Plains All American
19.80
1.19
6.41%
PAGP
Plains GP Holdings
21.10
1.38
6.97%
AM
Antero Midstream
18.76
3.28
21.21%
HESM
Hess Midstream Partners
36.07
-2.76
-7.11%
DTM
DT Midstream
126.37
26.27
26.24%

Western Midstream Partners Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Western Midstream Amends Key Gas Agreements, Redeems Units
Positive
Jan 22, 2026

On January 16, 2026, Western Midstream subsidiary Delaware Basin Midstream LLC amended its Delaware Basin gas gathering agreement with Occidental Petroleum’s Anadarko E&P Onshore LLC, shifting from a cost-of-service to a fixed-fee structure, adding new minimum volume commitments through 2027, and revising acreage transfer terms, while also entering related natural gas gathering and processing arrangements with a ConocoPhillips subsidiary. In connection with these changes, Western Midstream agreed to redeem 15.3 million of its common units from Occidental on February 3, 2026—reducing Occidental’s ownership stake—and structured the reset of Delaware Basin natural gas fees and new fixed-fee contracts so that lower operating cash flows over time are expected to be largely offset by distribution savings and recognition of contract liability revenue through 2032, further diversifying revenues, reducing related-party exposure, and advancing Western Midstream’s transition toward a more transparent, standalone fixed-fee midstream model with leverage targeted around 3.0x Adjusted EBITDA in 2026.

The most recent analyst rating on (WES) stock is a Hold with a $39.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Western Midstream Partners stock, see the WES Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyM&A TransactionsPrivate Placements and Financing
Western Midstream Partners Completes $1.2 Billion Senior Notes Offering
Positive
Dec 4, 2025

On December 4, 2025, Western Midstream Operating, LP completed a public offering of $1.2 billion in senior notes due in 2031 and 2035. The proceeds will be used to repay maturing notes, reduce commercial paper program debt, and fund general partnership purposes, including capital expenditures. This financial move is expected to strengthen the company’s financial position and support its strategic initiatives, such as the acquisition of Aris Water Solutions, Inc.

The most recent analyst rating on (WES) stock is a Hold with a $42.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Western Midstream Partners stock, see the WES Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 23, 2026