Ultime notizie per Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB) Azioni

Williams Companies

Williams Companies is a midstream energy company that owns and operates the large Transco and Northwest pipeline systems and associated natural gas gathering, processing, and storage assets. In August 2018, the firm acquired the remaining 26% ownership of its limited partner, Williams Partners.

Williams Companies, Inc. (The) Common Stock

Williams Companies Inc

Sichuan Wanma Benteng Technology Co Ltd

WILLIAMS ORD

Shares of U.S. energy giants surged this week, marking the strongest performance in two years, as fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East between Iran and Israel drove oil prices <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41172781/oil-prices-rally-biden-confirms-us-discussions-with-israel-about-striking-iran-facilities">to $75 per barrel. </a>
The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>), which tracks 31 major U.S. energy companies, including giants like Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) and Chevron Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>), recorded a remarkable 6.4% gain this week.
Investors poured nearly $300 million into the XLE ETF this week, the highest inflow since late July, according to Tradingview data.
Exxon Mobil, the largest U.S. oil company, reached a record high of $125 per share on Friday. The stock posted its sixth consecutive day of gains, ending the week up over 7%, marking its best performance since October 2022.
Oil prices continued their rally, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude recording its fourth straight day of gains, hitting levels last seen in late August. The geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran have sparked concerns over global oil supply disruptions.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rising Middle East Tensions, Biden Calls For Measured Israeli Response</h3>
Israel promised a strong retaliation after Iran launched more than 180 ballistic missiles on Tuesday. While Israel&#8217;s air defense systems successfully intercepted most of the missiles, the attack further intensified the already heightened regional instability.
On Friday, President Joe Biden addressed the escalating crisis during a rare appearance at the White House daily press briefing. He mentioned Israel&#8217;s right to defend itself but said the country had not yet decided how it would respond to Iran&#8217;s ballistic missile strike.
Biden said he advised Israel against further escalating the conflict, suggesting that Israel might consider alternatives to targeting oil fields in its retaliation.
In his first public appearance since the attack, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei defended the strike as &#8220;legitimate punishment&#8221; for what he called Israeli crimes and urged greater resistance against Israel in the region, Reuters reported.
Iran's deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also issued a stark warning, stating that Iran could target Israeli oil refineries and gas fields if Israel chooses to strike Iranian territory.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">This Week&#8217;s Top 10 Performing US Energy Stocks</h3>
U.S. energy stocks posted sharp gains, with the top performers this week including:
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Name</td>
<td>Price Chg. % (5D)</td>
<td>Market Cap</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FANG#NYSE">FANG</a>)</td>
<td>13.62%</td>
<td>$57.14B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>APA Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/APA#NYSE">APA</a>)</td>
<td>9.36%</td>
<td>$9.92B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>)</td>
<td>9.04%</td>
<td>$60.02B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRO#NYSE">MRO</a>)</td>
<td>8.44%</td>
<td>$16.06B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OXY#NYSE">OXY</a>)</td>
<td>8.35%</td>
<td>$51.71B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Halliburton Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HAL#NYSE">HAL</a>)</td>
<td>8.25%</td>
<td>$27.38B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ConocoPhillips (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COP#NYSE">COP</a>)</td>
<td>8.19%</td>
<td>$131.57B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EOG#NYSE">EOG</a>)</td>
<td>8.05%</td>
<td>$75.23B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DVN#NYSE">DVN</a>)</td>
<td>7.94%</td>
<td>$26.33B</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KMI#NYSE">KMI</a>)</td>
<td>7.82%</td>
<td>$52.15B</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
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Photo: Shutterstock

Macro Economic Events

Sector ETFs

Commodities

Politics

Econ #s

Economics

ETFs

FANG

US Energy Stocks Notch Biggest Weekly Gains In 2 Years, Exxon Hits Record Highs As Crude Surges To $75 On Israel-Iran Jitters

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>HSBC analyst Saul Martinez upgraded Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) from Hold to Buy and announced a price target of $118. Morgan Stanley shares gained 0.1% to close at $104.57 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MS/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Wolfe Research analyst Bill Carcache upgraded the rating for M&amp;T Bank Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTB#NYSE">MTB</a>) from Peer Perform to Outperform and announced a $210 price target. M&amp;T Bank shares fell 0.5% to close at $172.34 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MTB/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>TD Cowen analyst Charles Ryhee upgraded CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>) from Hold to Buy and boosted the price target from $59 to $85. CVS Health shares rose 1.1% to close at $62.92 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CVS/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Morgan Stanley analyst Robert Kad upgraded The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) from Equal-Weight to Overweight and raised the price target from $52 to $58. Williams shares gained 1.2% to close at $48.21 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WMB/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>BMO Capital analyst Phillip Jungwirth upgraded the rating for Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FANG#NASDAQ">FANG</a>) from Market Perform to Outperform and raised the price target from $205 to $215. Diamondback Energy shares gained 3.9% to close at $188.30 on Thursday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/FANG/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>. </li>
</ul>
Considering buying MS stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="517" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/04085737/image-2-10-1024x517.png" alt="" class="wp-image-580686" style="width:572px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/04085737/image-2-10-1024x517.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/04085737/image-2-10-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/04085737/image-2-10-768x388.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/04085737/image-2-10.png 1337w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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</ul>

News

Upgrades

Pre-Market Outlook

Analyst Ratings

Trading Ideas

This Morgan Stanley Analyst Turns Bullish; Here Are Top 5 Upgrades For Friday

In the latest quarter, 9 analysts provided ratings for Williams Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>), showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The following table summarizes their recent ratings, shedding light on the changing sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets assessed by analysts reveal further insights, featuring an average target of $48.0, a high estimate of $58.00, and a low estimate of $41.00. Marking an increase of 9.09%, the current average surpasses the previous average price target of $44.00. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1728043218_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Investigating Analyst Ratings: An Elaborate Study</h2>
A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Williams Companies is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Robert Kad</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$58.00</td>
<td>$52.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Spiro Dounis</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$52.00</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Theresa Chen</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$46.00</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shneur Gershuni</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$51.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Elvira Scotto</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$47.00</td>
<td>$44.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Theresa Chen</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tristan Richardson</td>
<td>Scotiabank</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$48.00</td>
<td>$43.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tristan Richardson</td>
<td>Scotiabank</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$43.00</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Theresa Chen</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Williams Companies. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analysts unravel qualitative evaluations for stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings offer insights into expectations for the relative performance of Williams Companies compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Understanding forecasts, analysts offer estimates for Williams Companies's future value. Examining the current and prior targets provides insight into analysts' changing expectations.</li>
</ul>
Assessing these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators can provide a comprehensive overview of Williams Companies's market position. Stay informed and make well-judged decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WMB/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Williams Companies analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Unveiling the Story Behind Williams Companies</h2>
Williams Companies is a midstream energy company that owns and operates the large Transco and Northwest pipeline systems and associated natural gas gathering, processing, and storage assets. In August 2018, the firm acquired the remaining 26% ownership of its limited partner, Williams Partners.
<h3>Breaking Down Williams Companies's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: With an elevated market capitalization, the company stands out above industry averages, showcasing substantial size and market acknowledgment.
Revenue Growth: Williams Companies's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has faced challenges. As of 30 June, 2024, the company experienced a revenue decline of approximately -5.92%. This indicates a decrease in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Energy sector.
Net Margin: Williams Companies's net margin is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of 17.17%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Williams Companies's ROE falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 3.25%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Williams Companies's ROA lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns from its assets. With an ROA of 0.76%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 2.14.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: What Are They?</h2>
Analysts are specialists within banking and financial systems that typically report for specific stocks or within defined sectors. These people research company financial statements, sit in conference calls and meetings, and speak with relevant insiders to determine what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts will rate each stock once a quarter. 
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
If you want to keep track of which analysts are outperforming others, you can view updated analyst ratings along withanalyst success scores in <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Cracking The Code: Understanding Analyst Reviews For Williams Companies

Morgan Stanley analyst Robert Kad upgrades Williams Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) from Equal-Weight to Overweight and raises the price target from $52 to $58.

Price Target

Morgan Stanley Upgrades Williams Companies to Overweight, Raises Price Target to $58

Citigroup analyst Spiro Dounis maintains Williams Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $45 to $52.

Citigroup Maintains Buy on Williams Companies, Raises Price Target to $52

Barclays analyst Theresa Chen maintains Williams Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $42 to $46.

Barclays Maintains Equal-Weight on Williams Companies, Raises Price Target to $46

Williams Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 1.0% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 15.5%. Currently, Williams Companies has a market capitalization of $57.41 billion. 
Buying $1000 In WMB: If an investor had bought $1000 of WMB stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,005.96 today based on a price of $47.10 for WMB at the time of writing.
<h3>Williams Companies's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727890352_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

If You Invested $1000 In This Stock 5 Years Ago, You Would Have $2,000 Today

In the current session, the stock is trading at $45.99, after a 0.76% increase. Over the past month, Williams Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) stock increased by 0.98%, and in the past year, by 39.68%. With performance like this, long-term shareholders are optimistic but others are more likely to look into the price-to-earnings ratio to see if the stock might be overvalued.

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727805669_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>How Does Williams Companies P/E Compare to Other Companies?</h3>
The P/E ratio is used by long-term shareholders to assess the company's market performance against aggregate market data, historical earnings, and the industry at large. A lower P/E could indicate that shareholders do not expect the stock to perform better in the future or it could mean that the company is undervalued. 
Williams Companies has a better P/E ratio of 19.68 than the aggregate P/E ratio of 15.88 of the Oil, Gas &amp; Consumable Fuels industry. Ideally, one might believe that Williams Companies Inc. might perform better in the future than it's industry group, but it's probable that the stock is overvalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727805669_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In summary, while the price-to-earnings ratio is a valuable tool for investors to evaluate a company's market performance, it should be used with caution. A low P/E ratio can be an indication of undervaluation, but it can also suggest weak growth prospects or financial instability. Moreover, the P/E ratio is just one of many metrics that investors should consider when making investment decisions, and it should be evaluated alongside other financial ratios, industry trends, and qualitative factors. By taking a comprehensive approach to analyzing a company's financial health, investors can make well-informed decisions that are more likely to lead to successful outcomes.

Intraday Update

Markets

Price Over Earnings Overview: Williams Companies

Williams Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) has been analyzed by 6 analysts in the last three months, revealing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
Summarizing their recent assessments, the table below illustrates the evolving sentiments in the past 30 days and compares them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Williams Companies, revealing an average target of $46.0, a high estimate of $55.00, and a low estimate of $41.00. Surpassing the previous average price target of $42.83, the current average has increased by 7.4%.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1726668039_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
The standing of Williams Companies among financial experts becomes clear with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Shneur Gershuni</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$51.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Elvira Scotto</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$47.00</td>
<td>$44.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Theresa Chen</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tristan Richardson</td>
<td>Scotiabank</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$48.00</td>
<td>$43.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tristan Richardson</td>
<td>Scotiabank</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$43.00</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Theresa Chen</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Williams Companies. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Unveiling insights, analysts deliver qualitative insights into stock performance, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Williams Companies compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts provide insights into price targets, offering estimates for the future value of Williams Companies's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into Williams Companies's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WMB/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Williams Companies analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Discovering Williams Companies: A Closer Look</h2>
Williams Companies is a midstream energy company that owns and operates the large Transco and Northwest pipeline systems and associated natural gas gathering, processing, and storage assets. In August 2018, the firm acquired the remaining 26% ownership of its limited partner, Williams Partners.
<h3>Financial Insights: Williams Companies</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Above industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization emphasizes a noteworthy size, indicative of a strong market presence.
Revenue Challenges: Williams Companies's revenue growth over 3 months faced difficulties. As of 30 June, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -5.92%. This indicates a decrease in top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Energy sector.
Net Margin: Williams Companies's net margin is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 17.17%, the company may encounter challenges in effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): Williams Companies's ROE is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of 3.25%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.76%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of 2.14, Williams Companies adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management.
<h2>Understanding the Relevance of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Analyst Scoreboard: 6 Ratings For Williams Companies

UBS analyst Shneur Gershuni maintains Williams Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $51 to $55.

UBS Maintains Buy on Williams Companies, Raises Price Target to $55

The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wmb#NYSE">WMB</a>) is on an ambitious path to expand its natural gas infrastructure with the addition of 12 projects representing approximately 4.2 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of capacity from 2024 to 2027. This announcement was made by CEO Alan Armstrong at the Barclays CEO Energy-Power Conference on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
This latest expansion follows the Tulsa, OK-based leading oil and gas storage and transportation company&#39;s successful completion of 17 projects, which collectively contributed about 5 bcfd, between 2018 and 2023. These projects are aimed at boosting natural gas supply, especially as demand for energy increases across various sectors.
<h2>WMB&#39;s Upcoming Projects: 2024-2027</h2>
The company&#39;s growth plan for the next few years focuses heavily on critical projects such as the Louisiana Energy Gateway and Southeast Supply Enhancement pipelines. These two high-capacity projects are expected to bring substantial additional supply into the U.S. natural gas market.
One of the flagship projects in this expansion is the Louisiana Energy Gateway, a pipeline designed to deliver 1.8 bcfd of natural gas. This project is currently under construction and expected to begin service in the second half of 2025. The project will play a crucial role in increasing gas supply from regions with abundant natural resources to areas where demand is surging.
This gateway not only addresses current energy needs but also lays the groundwork for future demand in domestic and international markets, with a particular focus on liquefied natural gas (&quot;LNG&quot;) exports.
Another key project is the Southeast Supply Enhancement pipeline, designed to deliver 1.6 bcfd of natural gas. This pipeline is currently under development and expected to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2027. The $1.45 billion investment will help to meet the rising energy needs in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S. regions, with the increasing demand for electricity generation from data centers and artificial intelligence applications.
WMB anticipates this project to play a critical role in replacing retiring coal-fired power plants with natural gas as the go-to fuel for electricity generation. With the focus on decarbonization and the transition to cleaner energy sources, the demand for natural gas is set to remain robust in the next decade.
<h2>WMB&#39;s Historical Project Success: 2018-2023 Expansion</h2>
Between 2018 and 2023, Williams brought 17 projects online, adding a total of 5 bcfd of capacity. This growth reflects the company&#39;s commitment to meeting U.S. energy demands, driven by the shift from coal to natural gas for electricity and increasing LNG export needs. Natural gas is supporting the U.S. power grid&#39;s decarbonization efforts as less efficient coal plants are phased out.
<h2>Pipeline Projects of Williams</h2>
Williams plans to introduce approximately 11.5 bcfd of capacity between 2026 and 2032, with a $10.2 billion capital expenditure. These projects will support industrial and power generation needs and enhance LNG export capabilities. Strategic project locations will ensure a steady gas supply for domestic and international markets.
<h2>WMB&#39;s M&amp;A Strategy and Focus</h2>
On the mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) front, WMB has taken a cautious approach in recent years. According to Armstrong, the company&#39;s recent M&amp;A activity has been focused on acquiring gas storage assets, which align with WMB&#39;s long-term strategic goals. Beyond gas storage, Armstrong expressed skepticism about other potential acquisitions, noting that the company has yet to find any attractive opportunities for bolt-on acquisitions that offer significant synergies.
This cautious approach highlights Williams&#39; focus on making strategic investments that enhance its existing asset base. However, WMB denied reports that it had made a buyout offer to Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/trgp#NYSE">TRGP</a>), a Houston-based oil and gas storage and transportation company.
In conclusion, WMB is positioned as a key player in the U.S. energy transition, leveraging natural gas to support a cleaner energy future. With an extensive pipeline of projects and a focus on gas storage, the company is prepared to meet rising energy demands and contribute to a lower-carbon future.
<h2>Zacks Rank and Key Picks</h2>
Currently, WMB and TRGP each have a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Investors interested in the energy sector might look at some better-ranked stocks like MPLX LP (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mplx#NYSE">MPLX</a>), sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and VAALCO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/egy#NYSE">EGY</a>), carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), at present.
Findlay, OH-based MPLX LP is valued at $43.3 billion. In the past year, its shares have risen 21.3%. MPLX owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure and logistics assets in the United States. It operates under two segments, namely Logistics and Storage, and Gathering and Processing.
<div>
Houston, TX-based Vaalco Energy is valued at $595.49 million. The oil and gas exploration and production company currently pays a dividend of 25 cents per share, or 4.36%, on an annual basis. EGY is an independent energy company principally engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2332591/williams-to-boost-natural-gas-capacity-with-12-new-projects?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|company_news_energy_sector-2332591">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>
</div>

Large Cap

Dividends

Small Cap

MPLX

TRGP

Williams to Boost Natural Gas Capacity With 12 New Projects

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Williams Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the positions showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with WMB, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 9 options trades for Williams Companies.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 100% bullish and 0%, bearish.
Out of all of the options we uncovered, there was 1 put, for a total amount of $26,500, and 8, calls, for a total amount of $228,290.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $38.0 and $45.0 for Williams Companies, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Williams Companies's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Williams Companies's whale trades within a strike price range from $38.0 to $45.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Williams Companies Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1725050001_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Open Interest</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WMB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$5.2</td>
<td>$4.6</td>
<td>$4.98</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
<td>$32.3K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">494</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$7.8</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
<td>$30.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">872</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">648</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$7.8</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
<td>$30.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">872</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">38</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$7.8</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
<td>$28.4K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">872</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">550</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WMB</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$7.8</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
<td>$28.4K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">872</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">334</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Williams Companies</h3>
Williams Companies is a midstream energy company that owns and operates the large Transco and Northwest pipeline systems and associated natural gas gathering, processing, and storage assets. In August 2018, the firm acquired the remaining 26% ownership of its limited partner, Williams Partners.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Williams Companies, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Current Position of Williams Companies</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 7,165,859, with WMB's price up by 0.62%, positioned at $45.77.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 61 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Williams Companies</h3>
3 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $45.666666666666664.
<ul>
<li>An analyst from Scotiabank persists with their Sector Perform rating on Williams Companies, maintaining a target price of $48. </li>
<li>Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Barclays continues to hold a Equal-Weight rating for Williams Companies, targeting a price of $42. </li>
<li>An analyst from RBC Capital persists with their Outperform rating on Williams Companies, maintaining a target price of $47. </li>
</ul>
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Williams Companies, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Options

Williams Companies's Options Frenzy: What You Need to Know

Williams Companies's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) short percent of float has risen 19.67% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 23.85 million shares sold short, which is 2.19% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.19 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Williams Companies Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1725030918_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Williams Companies has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Williams Companies's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Williams Companies's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.92%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

(WMB) - Analyzing Williams Companies's Short Interest

RBC Capital analyst Elvira Scotto maintains Williams Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $44 to $47.

RBC Capital Maintains Outperform on Williams Companies, Raises Price Target to $47

Petrobras (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pbr#NYSE">PBR</a>), a Brazilian oil and gas company, is set to revolutionize its offshore oil and gas production with the implementation of a cutting-edge digital twin prototype. This technology, which was successfully tested on the Cidade de Anchieta and P-57 FPSO platforms, operating in the Jubarte field, located in the pre-salt and post-salt layers offshore Esp&iacute;rito Santo, promises to enhance production efficiency by approximately 1%.
Developed in two years by the Brazilian company, Engineering Simulation and Scientific Software, this digital twin technology is now validated and ready for widespread use across Petrobras&#39; offshore wells.
<h3>The Power of Digital Twin Technology</h3>
What is a Digital Twin? A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical system, allowing for real-time monitoring, simulation and optimization. In the context of oil and gas production, a digital twin can simulate the entire production process, from the seabed to the surface, enabling operators to optimize production, anticipate potential issues and test solutions in a risk-free virtual environment.
Implementation on Petrobras Platforms:&nbsp;Petrobras&#39; digital twin technology, named Lift and Flow, was first implemented on the Cidade de Anchieta and P-57 FPSO platforms. &nbsp;The successful pilot project demonstrated the effectiveness of this technology in optimizing the lift and flow process&mdash;the critical phase of transporting oil from the bottom of the wells to the production platforms.
<h3>Proven Benefits of the Digital Twin</h3>
The Lift and Flow digital twin technology offers several key benefits to Petrobras:
Increased Production Efficiency: By optimizing the lift and flow process, the digital twin can increase production by roughly 1%. While this may seem modest, it represents a significant boost in efficiency across PBR&#39;s extensive offshore operations.
Real-Time Monitoring and Data Utilization: The digital twin provides real-time data on the production system, allowing operators to monitor and adjust processes on the fly. This capability is crucial for maintaining optimal production levels and preventing downtime.
Incident Prevention and Virtual Testing: One of the standout features of the digital twin is its ability to anticipate potential incidents that could compromise production. By simulating various scenarios, operators can preemptively address issues and test solutions virtually before implementing them in the real world.
<h3>Development and Expansion</h3>
The Journey of the Digital Twin Prototype: The digital twin prototype that Petrobras is now rolling out was developed through a collaborative effort led by the Esp&iacute;rito Santo Business Unit. Renata Baruzzi, an Engineering, Technology and Innovation engineer at Petrobras, explained that the initial prototype formed the foundation for specifying a more robust, commercial and scalable system. This development process highlights PBR&#39;s commitment to leveraging advanced technology to maintain its competitive edge in the global oil and gas industry.
Expanding Use Across Petrobras&#39; Offshore Wells: With the successful validation of the digital twin technology, PBR plans to extend its use to all of its offshore production and injection wells. According to Sylvia Anjos, Petrobras&#39; Exploitation and Production director, the company will begin deploying the digital twin tools in maritime wells across other units before the year&#39;s end. This expansion is expected to enhance the efficiency and safety of PBR&#39;s operations, further reinforcing its position as a leader in the offshore oil and gas sector.
<h3>The Strategic Importance of Digital Twins in Offshore Oil and Gas</h3>
Enhancing Production in Pre-Salt and Post-Salt Layers: The application of digital twin technology is particularly significant in the context of Brazil&#39;s pre-salt and post-salt layers. These geological formations, located deep beneath the seabed, contain vast reserves of oil and gas. However, extracting these resources is challenging due to the complex and high-pressure environment. The Lift and Flow digital twin provides a powerful tool for optimizing production in these difficult conditions, helping PBR to maximize output while minimizing risks.
Aligning With Petrobras&#39; Digital Transformation Strategy: The adoption of digital twin technology is a key component of Petrobras&#39; broader digital transformation strategy. By integrating advanced technologies like digital twins into its operations, PBR aims to improve efficiency, reduce costs and enhance safety. This strategy is crucial for maintaining competitiveness in the global energy market, where technological innovation is increasingly becoming a differentiating factor.
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
Petrobras&#39; implementation of digital twin technology marks a significant milestone in the company&#39;s ongoing efforts to optimize its offshore oil and gas production. The Lift and Flow digital twin, validated through rigorous testing on the Cidade de Anchieta and P-57 FPSO platforms, is set to be a game-changer for PBR. Expanding the use of this technology across PBR&#39;s offshore wells, it stands to gain substantial improvements in production efficiency, safety and operational resilience. In an industry where innovation is key to staying ahead, Petrobras&#39; digital twin initiative is a clear demonstration of its commitment to leading the way in offshore oil and gas production.
<h3>Zacks Rank and Key Picks</h3>
Currently, PBR carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Investors interested in the energy sector might look at some better-ranked stocks like SM Energy Company, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and The&nbsp;Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/wmb#NYSE">WMB</a>) and MPLX LP, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), at present.
Denver, CO-based SM Energy is valued at $5.2 billion. The company currently pays a dividend of 72 cents per share, or 1.58%, on an annual basis.
SM, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil, gas and natural gas liquids in the state of Texas.
Oklahoma-based The Williams Companies is valued at $54.87 billion. The company currently pays a dividend of $1.9 per share, or 4.3%, on an annual basis.
WMB, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company, primarily in the United States. It functions through Transmission &amp; Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&amp;P, West and Gas &amp; NGL Marketing Services segments.
Findlay, OH-based MPLX LP is valued at $43.48 billion. In the past year, its shares have risen 20.2%.
<div>
MPLX owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure and logistics assets primarily in the United States. It operates under two segments, namely Logistics and Storage, and Gathering and Processing.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2324888/petrobras-pbr-plans-to-boost-production-with-digital-twin?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|company_news_energy_sector-2324888">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>
</div>

Latin America

Tech

Petrobras Plans to Boost Production With Digital Twin

Analysts' ratings for Williams Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) over the last quarter vary from bullish to bearish, as provided by 8 analysts.
The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Providing deeper insights, analysts have established 12-month price targets, indicating an average target of $44.25, along with a high estimate of $48.00 and a low estimate of $41.00. This current average has increased by 8.94% from the previous average price target of $40.62. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1724097663_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
The standing of Williams Companies among financial experts becomes clear with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Theresa Chen</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tristan Richardson</td>
<td>Scotiabank</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$48.00</td>
<td>$43.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tristan Richardson</td>
<td>Scotiabank</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$43.00</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Theresa Chen</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Neal Dingmann</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Elvira Scotto</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$44.00</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Robert Kad</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$48.00</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Praneeth Satish</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$46.00</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Williams Companies. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analysts unravel qualitative evaluations for stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings offer insights into expectations for the relative performance of Williams Companies compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for Williams Companies's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
Navigating through these analyst evaluations alongside other financial indicators can contribute to a holistic understanding of Williams Companies's market standing. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WMB/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Williams Companies analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Unveiling the Story Behind Williams Companies</h2>
Williams Companies is a midstream energy company that owns and operates the large Transco and Northwest pipeline systems and associated natural gas gathering, processing, and storage assets. In August 2018, the firm acquired the remaining 26% ownership of its limited partner, Williams Partners.
<h3>Breaking Down Williams Companies's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization is above the industry average, indicating that it is relatively larger in size compared to peers. This may suggest a higher level of investor confidence and market recognition.
Revenue Growth: Williams Companies's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has faced challenges. As of 30 June, 2024, the company experienced a revenue decline of approximately -5.92%. This indicates a decrease in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Energy sector.
Net Margin: Williams Companies's net margin lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of 17.17%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 3.25%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Williams Companies's ROA is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.76%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.
Debt Management: Williams Companies's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at 2.14, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Evaluating Williams Companies: Insights From 8 Financial Analysts

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">nalyst ratings page.</a>
<ul>
<li>Bernstein cut the price target for CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRWD#NASDAQ">CRWD</a>) from $381 to $315. Bernstein analyst Peter Weed maintained an Outperform rating. CrowdStrike shares gained 0.8% to close at $262.54 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CRWD/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Rosenblatt increased the price target for Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PANW#NASDAQ">PANW</a>) from $300 to $345. Rosenblatt analyst Catharine Trebnick maintained a Neutral rating. Palo Alto shares fell 2.7% to close at $334.11 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PANW/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Scotiabank boosted AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AU#NYSE">AU</a>) price target from $27 to $30. Scotiabank analyst Tanya Jakusconek downgraded the stock from Sector Perform to Sector Underperform. AngloGold Ashanti shares rose 3.5% to close at $31.47 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AU/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Citigroup cut the price target for Bloomin&#8217; Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLMN#NASDAQ">BLMN</a>) from $22 to $20. Citigroup analyst Jon Tower maintained a Neutral rating. Bloomin&#8217; Brands shares gained 0.1% to close at $17.27 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/BLMN/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Barclays slashed Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNOW#NYSE">SNOW</a>) price target from $191 to $146. Barclays analyst Raimo Lenschow maintained an Equal-Weight rating. Snowflake shares gained 0.8% to close at $128.04 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SNOW/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>JP Morgan cut Progyny, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PGNY#NASDAQ">PGNY</a>) price target from $41 to $31. JP Morgan analyst Anne Samuel maintained an Overweight rating. Progyny shares gained 0.9% to close at $21.04 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PGNY/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Ascendiant Capital increased the price target for Genasys Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GNSS#NASDAQ">GNSS</a>) from $4.25 to $4.75. Ascendiant Capital analyst Edward Woo maintained a Buy rating. Genasys shares rose 3% to close at $2.74 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GNSS/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Chardan Capital cut Metagenomi, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MGX#NASDAQ">MGX</a>) price target from $17 to $15. Chardan Capital analyst Geulah Livshits maintained a Buy rating. Metagenomi shares fell 3.8% to close at $2.82 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MGX/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Citigroup boosted Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCOI#NASDAQ">CCOI</a>) price target from $70 to $82. Citigroup analyst Michael Rollins maintained a Buy rating. Cogent Communications shares fell 0.1% to close at $73.46 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CCOI/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Barclays raised The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) price target from $41 to $42. Barclays analyst Theresa Chen maintained an Equal-Weight rating. Williams shares gained 0.6% to close at $44.13 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/WMB/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
</ul>
Considering buying CCOI stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="531" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/19084949/image-152-1024x531.png" alt="" class="wp-image-501422" style="width:528px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/19084949/image-152-1024x531.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/19084949/image-152-300x155.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/19084949/image-152-768x398.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/19084949/image-152.png 1285w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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Barclays analyst Theresa Chen maintains Williams Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $41 to $42.

Barclays Maintains Equal-Weight on Williams Companies, Raises Price Target to $42

Scotiabank analyst Tristan Richardson maintains Williams Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) with a Sector Perform and raises the price target from $43 to $48.

Scotiabank Maintains Sector Perform on Williams Companies, Raises Price Target to $48

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Williams Companies shares are trading higher after the company reported better-than-expected Q2 adjusted EPS results.

ONEOK Vs. Williams Companies: Which High-Yield Is The Better Buy?

Permian gas begins flowing through Matterhorn pipeline - Bloomberg

Barclays analyst Theresa Chen maintained a Hold rating on Williams Co (WMB – Research Report) today and set a price target of $46.00. The company's...

Barclays Sticks to Its Hold Rating for Williams Co (WMB)

S&P 500 Energy ends Q3 on negative note as crude prices fall

In a report released on October 1, Jeremy Tonet from J.P. Morgan maintained a Buy rating on Williams Co (WMB – Research Report), with a price targe...

J.P. Morgan Sticks to Its Buy Rating for Williams Co (WMB)

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Morgan Stanley analyst Robert Kad upgraded the rating on Williams Co (WMB – Research Report) to a Buy today, setting a price target of $58.00. Robe...

Williams Co. Upgraded to Overweight on Strong Growth and Stability Amid Energy Sector Volatility

Midstream Energy - Relative Quality

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Williams raised at Morgan Stanley, seeing sustainable 5%-7% annual EBITDA growth

ALTMW

BOIL

CAPL

EBBGF

EBBNF

EBGEF

EBRGF

ENBFF

ENBGF

ENBHF

ENBMF

ENBNF

ENBOF

ENBRF

ENLC

ENNPF

EPDU

GBNXF

HESM

KNTK

KOLD

MMLP

MPLXP

OILK

PAGP

PKCPY

RSPG

TCANF

TCENF

TCEYF

TCNCF

TNCAF

TRPPF

TRPRF

VOPKF

Press Releases

Williams Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend

Williams Delivers Strong First-Quarter Results; Positioned to Hit Top Half of 2024 Financial Guidance Range

Williams to Report Second-Quarter 2024 Financial Results on Aug. 5; Earnings Conference Call and Webcast Scheduled for Aug. 6

Williams Reports Progress on Environmental Performance Metrics

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Announces J. Kevin Vann as New Chief Financial Officer

Williams Delivers Strong Second-Quarter Results

Trace Midstream Enters the Northern Delaware Basin With the Acquisition of LM Energy's Natural Gas Gathering and Transportation Infrastructure

Williams Prices $1.5 Billion of Senior Notes

Williams CEO to Present at 2024 Barclays CEO Energy-Power Conference

Antero Midstream Corporation Common Stock

Antero Midstream

Cheniere Energy Partners, LP Common Units

Cheniere Energy Partners

DT Midstream

EnLink Midstream, LLC Common Units representing Limited Partner Interests

EnLink Midstream

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. Common Stock

Enterprise Prods Partners

Energy Transfer

Frontline

Golar LNG

Hafnia

Hess Midstream

International Seaways

Kinder Morgan

Kinetik Holdings Inc. Class A Common Stock

Kinetik Holdings

Cheniere Energy

MPLX LP Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests

New Fortress Energy Inc. - Class A Common Stock

New Fortress Energy

ONEOK

Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. - Common Units representing Limited Partner Interests

Plains All American

Plains GP Holdings, L.P. - Class A Shares representing limited partner interests

Plains GP Holdings

Scorpio Tankers

Transportadora de Gas del Sur SA TGS Common Stock

Transportadora de Gas

Targa Resources

TORM

Ultrapar Participacoes S.A. (New) American Depositary Shares (Each representing one Common Share)

Ultrapar Participacoes

Western Midstream Partners, LP Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests

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