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Western Midstream Partners (WES)
NYSE:WES
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Western Midstream Partners (WES) AI Stock Analysis

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WES

Western Midstream Partners

(NYSE:WES)

Rating:77Outperform
Price Target:
$43.00
â–²(13.04% Upside)
Western Midstream Partners receives a strong overall score driven by robust financial performance and positive earnings call highlights. The strategic acquisition and operational achievements enhance growth prospects. While technical indicators are neutral, the attractive dividend yield and fair valuation further support the stock's appeal.
Positive Factors
Capital Management
Management has simplified the capital allocation framework by retiring its enhanced distribution feature, which aligns with the current growth-oriented backdrop.
Financial Performance
The free cash flow after dividends showed a significant increase from expected estimates, reflecting strong cash management.
Growth Initiatives
Western Midstream Partners has announced the construction of the 'Pathfinder' pipeline, which aims to enhance its water handling and disposal capabilities, aligning with investor interest in growth.
Negative Factors
Capital Expenditure
WES' FY25 capex outlook of $625-775mn was higher than expected, and the partnership expects FY26 capex to be even higher.
Production Challenges
Crude oil and NGL throughput experienced a notable decline compared to both the consensus and the previous year, indicating challenges in this area.
Segment Performance
Produced water adjusted gross margin fell short of expectations compared to the previous quarter and consensus estimates, suggesting potential issues in this segment.

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 for its midstream services, which include gathering, processing, transportation, and storage of natural gas, crude oil, and NGLs. The company's revenue model is largely based on long-term contracts with producers, which provides stable cash flows. Key revenue streams include fees from gathering systems, processing plants, and transportation pipelines. Additionally, Western Midstream has established significant partnerships with major oil and gas producers, enhancing its operational capacity and market reach. Factors contributing to its earnings include the volume of hydrocarbons processed and transported, market demand for energy, and the efficiency of its operations.

Western Midstream Partners Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 06, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 05, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong operational and financial performance, including record-breaking throughput and a strategic acquisition to bolster growth. However, challenges such as decreased margins and increased future capital expenditures were noted. Overall, the positive achievements and strategic advancements outweigh the challenges.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record-Breaking Operational Performance
Achieved the highest quarterly adjusted EBITDA in partnership history and set records for natural gas, crude oil, NGLs, and produced water throughput in the Delaware Basin.
Strategic Acquisition of Aris Water Solutions
Announced the acquisition of Aris Water Solutions, valued at $2 billion, to strengthen WES's footprint in the Delaware Basin and expand service offerings.
Growth in Key Operational Metrics
Natural gas throughput increased by 3%, crude oil and NGLs by 6%, and produced water by 4% on a sequential quarter basis.
Financial Performance
Generated net income attributable to limited partners of $334 million and adjusted EBITDA of $618 million.
Capital Allocation and Debt Management
Retired $337 million of senior notes and maintained a net leverage ratio of 2.9x.
Negative Updates
Decreased Adjusted Gross Margin
Per Mcf adjusted gross margin for natural gas decreased by $0.02, and per barrel adjusted gross margin for crude oil and NGLs decreased by $0.15 on a sequential quarter basis.
Higher Operation and Maintenance Expenses Expected
Anticipated higher operation and maintenance expenses during the third quarter due to increased utility costs.
Capital Expenditures Increase
Expected capital expenditures for 2026 to be at least $1.1 billion due to the North Loving II project and the Pathfinder Pipeline.
Company Guidance
During Western Midstream Partners' second quarter 2025 earnings call, the guidance highlighted several key metrics and strategic moves. The company reported record-breaking adjusted EBITDA and improved adjusted gross margin, indicating strong operational and financial performance. They announced an agreement to acquire Aris Water Solutions, valuing it at $2 billion, which is expected to enhance Western Midstream's water services capabilities and expand its footprint in the Delaware Basin. This acquisition will increase their produced water disposal capacity to over 3.8 million barrels per day and is anticipated to be accretive to 2026 free cash flow per unit. They also sanctioned a new 300 million cubic feet per day natural gas processing train at their North Loving plant, expected to increase total capacity to 2.5 billion cubic feet per day by early 2027. The company maintained a strong balance sheet with a net leverage ratio of 2.9x and declared a quarterly distribution of $0.91 per unit. Additionally, Western Midstream projected mid-single-digit percentage growth in year-over-year throughput for natural gas and produced water, with capital expenditures expected to be between $625 million and $775 million for 2025, rising to at least $1.1 billion in 2026 due to strategic projects.

Western Midstream Partners Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Western Midstream Partners exhibits strong financial health with robust profitability and efficient cash flow management. Despite high leverage, the company effectively utilizes its equity to generate returns. Continued revenue growth and cash flow strength position the company well, though attention to cost management is advisable.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Western Midstream Partners demonstrates strong profitability with a high gross profit margin of 75.4% and a solid net profit margin of 34.7% for the TTM. The company has shown consistent revenue growth, with a 1.01% increase in the latest period. However, there is a slight decline in EBIT and EBITDA margins compared to the previous year, indicating potential cost pressures.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's balance sheet shows a high debt-to-equity ratio of 2.19, which is typical for the industry but indicates significant leverage. Return on equity is strong at 39.6%, reflecting efficient use of equity. The equity ratio is moderate, suggesting a balanced asset structure.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Western Midstream Partners has a healthy operating cash flow to net income ratio of 3.10, indicating strong cash generation relative to earnings. Free cash flow growth is positive at 9.64%, and the free cash flow to net income ratio is robust at 73.5%, highlighting effective cash management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.67B3.61B3.11B3.25B2.88B2.77B
Gross Profit2.77B2.78B2.18B2.25B2.00B2.09B
EBITDA2.18B2.66B2.00B2.17B1.71B1.78B
Net Income1.27B1.57B998.53M1.22B916.29M527.01M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets12.16B13.14B12.47B11.27B11.27B11.83B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments129.73M1.09B272.79M286.66M202.00M444.92M
Total Debt7.00B8.14B7.96B6.83B6.95B7.89B
Total Liabilities8.83B9.77B9.44B8.16B8.18B8.93B
Stockholders Equity3.19B3.24B2.90B2.97B2.96B2.76B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.58B1.27B926.25M1.21B1.45B1.21B
Operating Cash Flow2.15B2.11B1.66B1.70B1.77B1.64B
Investing Cash Flow-735.79M-39.17M-1.61B-218.24M-257.54M-448.25M
Financing Cash Flow-1.63B-1.25B-67.91M-1.40B-1.75B-844.20M

Western Midstream Partners Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price38.04
Price Trends
50DMA
38.73
Negative
100DMA
37.86
Positive
200DMA
37.77
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.10
Positive
RSI
44.22
Neutral
STOCH
31.70
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WES, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 38.04 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 38.36, below the 50-day MA of 38.73, and above the 200-day MA of 37.77, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.10 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 44.22 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 31.70 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative 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
80
Outperform
$8.56B15.1352.91%6.95%9.02%17.28%
78
Outperform
$8.73B19.4121.65%4.93%7.09%17.53%
77
Outperform
$14.51B11.7138.42%9.38%7.11%-16.14%
69
Neutral
$10.69B28.308.48%2.95%15.28%-9.99%
68
Neutral
$12.11B19.048.34%8.46%-4.31%-17.80%
65
Neutral
$15.01B7.393.39%5.33%4.10%-61.80%
62
Neutral
$13.99B26.808.16%7.91%-4.31%-16.62%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WES
Western Midstream Partners
38.04
3.72
10.84%
PAA
Plains All American
17.22
1.30
8.17%
PAGP
Plains GP Holdings
18.42
1.22
7.09%
AM
Antero Midstream
18.25
4.84
36.09%
HESM
Hess Midstream Partners
40.75
7.83
23.78%
DTM
DT Midstream
105.27
33.03
45.72%

Western Midstream Partners Corporate Events

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Western Midstream Partners Announces Merger with Aris Water
Positive
Aug 6, 2025

On August 6, 2025, Western Midstream Partners announced a merger agreement with Aris Water Solutions, marking a strategic move to enhance its position as a leading midstream water services provider in the Delaware Basin. The transaction, valued at approximately $2 billion, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025 and aims to achieve $40 million in annualized cost synergies. The merger will expand WES’s capabilities in natural-gas, crude-oil, and produced-water businesses, further solidifying its market presence in West Texas and New Mexico. The board of directors of both companies have approved the merger, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including shareholder approval and regulatory clearances.

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: Sep 04, 2025