The AI Boom Is Powering Gas-Pipeline Stocks
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 21 2024
0mins
Source: barron's
- Pipeline Stocks Outperforming: Pipeline stocks are the best-performing segment in the energy industry recently, surpassing oil producers and refiners.
- AI Data Centers Driving Demand: Rise of artificial intelligence and data centers is increasing the need for natural gas to power these facilities, benefiting pipeline companies.
- Strong Performance of Leading Companies: Kinder Morgan, Williams, Enbridge, and Oneok have seen significant stock price increases due to the demand from data centers.
- Future Growth Expectations: Analysts predict a doubling or tripling of electricity demand from data centers in the next five years, potentially boosting demand for pipelines.
- Investor Confidence Restored: Midstream companies have restored investor confidence by strengthening balance sheets, increasing dividends, and making structural changes.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy XOM?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on XOM
Wall Street analysts forecast XOM stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for XOM is 132.17 USD with a low forecast of 114.00 USD and a high forecast of 158.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
19 Analyst Rating
12 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 146.080
Low
114.00
Averages
132.17
High
158.00
Current: 146.080
Low
114.00
Averages
132.17
High
158.00
About XOM
Exxon Mobil Corporation is an energy provider and chemical manufacturer. The Company’s principal business involves exploration for, and production of, crude oil and natural gas; the manufacture, trade, transport and sale of crude oil, natural gas, petroleum products, petrochemicals and a wide variety of specialty products; and pursuit of lower-emission and other new business opportunities, including carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, lower-emission fuels, Proxxima systems, carbon materials, and lithium. Its Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. The Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments manufacture and sell petroleum products and petrochemicals. Energy Products segment includes fuels, aromatics, and catalysts and licensing. Chemical Products segment consists of olefins, polyolefins, and intermediates. Specialty Products segment includes finished lubricants, basestocks and waxes, synthetics, and elastomers and resins.
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.
ExxonMobil Shares Surge 17.5% in January Amid Oil Price Rally
- Oil Price Surge: In January, Brent crude prices rose by 16% and WTI by 14%, marking the first monthly gain in six months, which propelled ExxonMobil's stock up by 17.5%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 1.4% increase, highlighting the strong correlation between oil prices and stock performance.
- Supply Risk Escalation: The U.S. capture of former Venezuelan President Maduro on narcoterrorism charges raised market concerns about potential supply disruptions, while escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran could further impact oil prices, contributing to the rise in ExxonMobil's stock.
- Outstanding Financial Performance: ExxonMobil's late January earnings report revealed industry-leading earnings of $28.8 billion and cash flow from operations of $52 billion last year, achieving the highest oil and gas production in over 40 years, which supported $37.2 billion in shareholder cash distributions, underscoring its unique position in the industry.
- Strategic Investment Returns: By investing in low-cost, high-margin assets and achieving structural cost savings, Exxon delivered 10 key projects last year, adding $3 billion to its annual earnings potential, and expects $25 billion in earnings growth and $35 billion in cash flow growth by 2030, further solidifying its market leadership.
See More
Impact of US Sanctions on Chevron's Venezuela Operations
- Venezuela's Energy Outlook: Venezuela's energy sector continues to decline, and despite its large oil reserves, the impact of U.S. sanctions and political turmoil has significantly reduced its global importance, likely leading to modest effects on the overall energy industry.
- Chevron's Production Potential: Chevron anticipates a 50% increase in its production in Venezuela over the next two years, providing the company with an opportunity to be an early beneficiary in the country's energy revival, although the market remains fraught with uncertainties.
- U.S. Policy Shift: The Trump administration's policy changes towards Venezuela may assert control through economic means, with U.S. approval for buyers being crucial, which could influence Chevron's operational strategies and market entry.
- Investor Focus: While the political developments in Venezuela are noteworthy, Chevron's diversified business model suggests that investors should not rely solely on the country's energy recovery, but rather consider broader market dynamics and oil price volatility.
See More
AI-Exposed Stocks Face Challenges Amid Market Shift
- Market Sentiment Shift: As fears grow that artificial intelligence could disrupt demand rather than enhance it, software and AI-exposed stocks have faced significant sell-offs at the start of 2023, particularly in February, leading investors to reassess their risk exposure.
- Capital Flow Changes: Goldman Sachs equity strategist Ben Snider indicates that capital is rotating towards sectors perceived as insulated from AI disruption, marking a clear departure from last year's market strategies and reflecting diminished investor confidence in AI themes.
- Cyclical Industry Rally: Despite software stocks experiencing one of their worst weeks since the 2022 rate-hike panic, cyclical and consumer-linked industries have continued their recent rallies, indicating a growing preference for traditional sectors among investors.
- Strong Dow Jones Performance: Amid the decline in software stocks, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has rallied towards all-time highs, suggesting increased investor confidence in industries tied to physical assets and cyclical activity, further emphasizing the market's demand for safety from AI-driven productivity risks.
See More
Dow Jones Index Surpasses 50,000 for the First Time
- Historic Milestone: The Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassed 50,000 for the first time in 2026, marking a significant achievement since its inception in 1896, reflecting sustained investor confidence amid economic fluctuations.
- Tech Stock Influence: This milestone was largely driven by strong performances from technology stocks, particularly Nvidia's replacement of Intel, highlighting the market's heightened focus and investment enthusiasm in the artificial intelligence sector.
- Market Rebound: Following a downturn in 2022, the Dow rebounded nearly 13% in 2023, with this breakthrough occurring against the backdrop of the index climbing over 1,100 points, demonstrating a robust market recovery.
- Changing Economic Landscape: Despite concerns over Trump's tariff policies and the impact of AI spending, the market has shown resilience, indicating investor optimism regarding future economic growth.
See More
The Real Comeback: Understanding Why Energy, Materials, and Staples Stocks Are Outperforming the Market.
Software Stock Slump: The recent decline in software stocks has raised concerns among investors, reflecting broader market volatility.
Bitcoin's Winter Meltdown: Bitcoin continues to experience significant downturns, contributing to a challenging environment for cryptocurrency investors.
Dollar's Ongoing Malaise: The U.S. dollar is facing persistent weakness, impacting global trade and investment strategies.
Memification of Precious Metals: Precious metals are becoming increasingly popular in meme culture, indicating a shift in how these assets are perceived and traded.
See More
Williams Companies Explores Natural Gas Acquisition
- Acquisition Exploration: Williams Companies is exploring the acquisition of natural gas production assets in the U.S., aiming to provide a one-stop energy solution for hyperscale data center clients, thereby enhancing its competitive edge in the energy infrastructure sector.
- Strategic Transformation: Over the past year, the company has positioned itself as a leader in supplying energy for artificial intelligence infrastructure, supplementing its traditional pipeline business with new power generation capabilities, which is expected to bolster future profitability.
- Major Investment Projects: The Socrates project in Ohio is set to come online in the second half of this year, generating 440 megawatts of power, with Meta Platforms signing a purchase agreement, highlighting its strategic importance in meeting data center power demands.
- Future Growth Targets: The company aims to grow its EBITDA at a rate of 5% to 7% annually, with analysts watching to see if it will raise this target at the upcoming analyst day, further driving long-term growth.
See More
ExxonMobil Shares Surge 17.5% in January Amid Oil Price Rally
- Oil Price Surge: In January, Brent crude prices rose by 16% and WTI by 14%, marking the first monthly gain in six months, which propelled ExxonMobil's stock up by 17.5%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 1.4% increase, highlighting the strong correlation between oil prices and stock performance.
- Supply Risk Escalation: The U.S. capture of former Venezuelan President Maduro on narcoterrorism charges raised market concerns about potential supply disruptions, while escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran could further impact oil prices, contributing to the rise in ExxonMobil's stock.
- Outstanding Financial Performance: ExxonMobil's late January earnings report revealed industry-leading earnings of $28.8 billion and cash flow from operations of $52 billion last year, achieving the highest oil and gas production in over 40 years, which supported $37.2 billion in shareholder cash distributions, underscoring its unique position in the industry.
- Strategic Investment Returns: By investing in low-cost, high-margin assets and achieving structural cost savings, Exxon delivered 10 key projects last year, adding $3 billion to its annual earnings potential, and expects $25 billion in earnings growth and $35 billion in cash flow growth by 2030, further solidifying its market leadership.
See More
Impact of US Sanctions on Chevron's Venezuela Operations
- Venezuela's Energy Outlook: Venezuela's energy sector continues to decline, and despite its large oil reserves, the impact of U.S. sanctions and political turmoil has significantly reduced its global importance, likely leading to modest effects on the overall energy industry.
- Chevron's Production Potential: Chevron anticipates a 50% increase in its production in Venezuela over the next two years, providing the company with an opportunity to be an early beneficiary in the country's energy revival, although the market remains fraught with uncertainties.
- U.S. Policy Shift: The Trump administration's policy changes towards Venezuela may assert control through economic means, with U.S. approval for buyers being crucial, which could influence Chevron's operational strategies and market entry.
- Investor Focus: While the political developments in Venezuela are noteworthy, Chevron's diversified business model suggests that investors should not rely solely on the country's energy recovery, but rather consider broader market dynamics and oil price volatility.
See More
AI-Exposed Stocks Face Challenges Amid Market Shift
- Market Sentiment Shift: As fears grow that artificial intelligence could disrupt demand rather than enhance it, software and AI-exposed stocks have faced significant sell-offs at the start of 2023, particularly in February, leading investors to reassess their risk exposure.
- Capital Flow Changes: Goldman Sachs equity strategist Ben Snider indicates that capital is rotating towards sectors perceived as insulated from AI disruption, marking a clear departure from last year's market strategies and reflecting diminished investor confidence in AI themes.
- Cyclical Industry Rally: Despite software stocks experiencing one of their worst weeks since the 2022 rate-hike panic, cyclical and consumer-linked industries have continued their recent rallies, indicating a growing preference for traditional sectors among investors.
- Strong Dow Jones Performance: Amid the decline in software stocks, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has rallied towards all-time highs, suggesting increased investor confidence in industries tied to physical assets and cyclical activity, further emphasizing the market's demand for safety from AI-driven productivity risks.
See More
Dow Jones Index Surpasses 50,000 for the First Time
- Historic Milestone: The Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassed 50,000 for the first time in 2026, marking a significant achievement since its inception in 1896, reflecting sustained investor confidence amid economic fluctuations.
- Tech Stock Influence: This milestone was largely driven by strong performances from technology stocks, particularly Nvidia's replacement of Intel, highlighting the market's heightened focus and investment enthusiasm in the artificial intelligence sector.
- Market Rebound: Following a downturn in 2022, the Dow rebounded nearly 13% in 2023, with this breakthrough occurring against the backdrop of the index climbing over 1,100 points, demonstrating a robust market recovery.
- Changing Economic Landscape: Despite concerns over Trump's tariff policies and the impact of AI spending, the market has shown resilience, indicating investor optimism regarding future economic growth.
See More
The Real Comeback: Understanding Why Energy, Materials, and Staples Stocks Are Outperforming the Market.
Software Stock Slump: The recent decline in software stocks has raised concerns among investors, reflecting broader market volatility.
Bitcoin's Winter Meltdown: Bitcoin continues to experience significant downturns, contributing to a challenging environment for cryptocurrency investors.
Dollar's Ongoing Malaise: The U.S. dollar is facing persistent weakness, impacting global trade and investment strategies.
Memification of Precious Metals: Precious metals are becoming increasingly popular in meme culture, indicating a shift in how these assets are perceived and traded.
See More
Williams Companies Explores Natural Gas Acquisition
- Acquisition Exploration: Williams Companies is exploring the acquisition of natural gas production assets in the U.S., aiming to provide a one-stop energy solution for hyperscale data center clients, thereby enhancing its competitive edge in the energy infrastructure sector.
- Strategic Transformation: Over the past year, the company has positioned itself as a leader in supplying energy for artificial intelligence infrastructure, supplementing its traditional pipeline business with new power generation capabilities, which is expected to bolster future profitability.
- Major Investment Projects: The Socrates project in Ohio is set to come online in the second half of this year, generating 440 megawatts of power, with Meta Platforms signing a purchase agreement, highlighting its strategic importance in meeting data center power demands.
- Future Growth Targets: The company aims to grow its EBITDA at a rate of 5% to 7% annually, with analysts watching to see if it will raise this target at the upcoming analyst day, further driving long-term growth.
See More
