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PAA vs WES
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Plains All American Pipeline (PAA) vs. Western Midstream Partners (WES) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- PAA and WES are both large-cap energy infrastructure master limited partnerships (MLPs — tax-advantaged partnerships that pass most cash flow to investors), but they follow different playbooks: PAA is pivoting toward a pure-play crude oil focus, while WES runs a diversified natural gas, crude/NGL, and produced-water platform.
- PAA has sharply reduced debt after divesting its Canadian natural gas liquids (NGLs) business, while WES has raised full-year guidance and completed accretive acquisitions.
- WES carries a higher distribution yield of roughly 8.3% versus approximately 6.5% for PAA, though payout structures and growth trajectories differ.
- PAA delivered stronger year-to-date price momentum, while WES has posted more consistent multi-quarter throughput growth across all three of its product lines.
- Tickeron AI Verdict: Based on trend consistency, diversified cash flows, and catalyst depth, the AI framework currently favors WES over PAA.
- For more detail on each name, explore PAA Major News and PAA Today's Price Move, or WES Major News and WES Today's Price Move.
- To see how AI-driven strategies are navigating this market, explore Trending AI Robots.
Introduction
Investors comparing energy infrastructure names often weigh income yield against growth, balance-sheet strength, and commodity exposure. PAA and WES sit at the center of that debate: both are multi-billion-dollar midstream operators, yet they are steering in different strategic directions. PAA is simplifying into a North American crude oil franchise, while WES is deepening its position in natural gas gathering, processing, and produced-water services. This stock comparison is most relevant to income-oriented investors, energy-sector allocators, and traders tracking relative performance and market positioning within the midstream space.
PAA Overview and Recent Performance
Plains All American Pipeline is one of North America's largest crude oil and NGL logistics providers, operating pipelines, storage, and terminalling assets from Canada to the U.S. Gulf Coast. In recent weeks, the company's story has centered on a strategic transformation: it completed the sale of its Canadian NGL business to Keyera for roughly C$5.13 billion (about US$3.76 billion), generating roughly US$3.3 billion in net proceeds. Management used those funds to repay debt, bringing pro forma leverage down to about 3.3 times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA — a common measure of operating cash generation).
The company has also leaned into its crude footprint, raising its Permian Basin project budget and expanding the acquired Cactus III pipeline, while reaffirming full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance near US$2.88 billion. PAA has delivered a strong year-to-date gain, though short-term momentum has cooled in recent trading. The key trade-off investors are weighing is a cleaner balance sheet and a simpler, crude-focused profile against greater concentration in crude infrastructure and rising growth capital spending.
WES Overview and Recent Performance
Western Midstream Partners operates gathering, processing, compression, and transportation assets for natural gas, crude oil, NGLs, and produced water, primarily across Texas, New Mexico, and the Rocky Mountains. Recent quarters have featured record throughput across its three product lines, supported by the Aris produced-water acquisition and the US$1.6 billion Brazos Delaware II purchase, which expanded Delaware Basin processing capacity and added roughly 470,000 dedicated acres.
Following those results, WES raised its 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to a midpoint of about US$2.85 billion and lifted distributable cash flow (DCF — the cash available to pay distributions) expectations, while maintaining a net leverage ratio near 3.0 times. The partnership has also raised its quarterly distribution to US$0.93 per unit, supporting an annualized yield near 8.3%. Like PAA, WES has posted solid one-year returns even as near-term price momentum has moderated, reflecting broader sentiment fatigue across the sector.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page curates a selection of the platform's AI trading bots, drawn from a much larger universe of automated strategies that collectively trade thousands of different tickers. Because these bots span a wide range of trading styles, strategies, timeframes, performance statistics, and ticker sets, only those best suited to current market conditions earn a place in the curated "Trending" section. The result is a focused, continuously updated shortlist of algorithmic approaches rather than a static directory. For traders and investors who want to see how systematic, rules-based strategies are positioning across names like PAA and WES, exploring the Trending AI Robots page offers a practical way to compare AI-driven signals with their own analysis.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The clearest contrast between the two names is strategic focus. PAA is narrowing toward crude oil logistics, using asset sales to strengthen its balance sheet and fund Permian-focused growth. That simplification reduces complexity but raises exposure to a single commodity and to project-execution risk as capital spending increases. WES, by contrast, is broadening across gas, liquids, and produced water, adding scale through acquisitions that are intended to be immediately accretive.
On income, WES offers a higher current yield and has been raising its payout more aggressively, while PAA offers a lower but recently increased distribution with an improving balance sheet. On momentum, PAA has been the stronger year-to-date performer in price terms, but WES has shown more consistent quarter-over-quarter operational growth and carries a more favorable analyst rating distribution. Risk factors also diverge: PAA faces concentration and capex risk, while WES faces basin-specific gas-pricing volatility and integration risk from recent deals.
Tickeron AI Verdict
On observable factors, Tickeron's AI framework would likely favor WES over PAA in the current environment. The case rests on WES's more consistent multi-quarter throughput records, a diversified three-stream revenue base that reduces single-commodity dependence, accretive acquisitions that expand scale, rising guidance, and a higher, actively growing distribution. PAA counters with meaningful deleveraging and a cleaner pure-play story, but its growing crude concentration and elevated capital spending introduce more execution variability. The verdict is probabilistic rather than definitive, reflecting relative trend consistency and catalyst depth rather than a prediction of future returns.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is PAA is a Hold and WES is a Hold.
PAA in upward trend: price may ascend as a result of having broken its lower Bollinger Band on November 06, 2026
PAA may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options. In 21 of 29 cases where PAA's price broke its lower Bollinger Band, its price rose further in the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 72%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 1 day, which means it's wise to expect a price bounce in the near future.
The 10-day moving average for PAA crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 20, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 11 of 18 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 61%.
Following a +1.23% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where PAA advanced for three days, in 253 of 374 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 68%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 240 of 375 cases where PAA Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 64%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for PAA moved out of overbought territory on November 02, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 58 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 31 of the 58 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 53%.
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on November 04, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on PAA as a result. In 41 of 77 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 53%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for PAA turned negative on November 04, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 48 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 25 of the 48 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 52%.
PAA moved below its 50-day moving average on November 05, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where PAA declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 49%.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 3 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 45, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 39 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 41 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. PAA’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (1.523) is normal, around the industry mean (147.140). P/E Ratio (6.626) is within average values for comparable stocks, (6.511). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.352) is also within normal values, averaging (13.660). Dividend Yield (0.070) settles around the average of (15719315456.000) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (0.343) is also within normal values, averaging (4.657).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 95 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
Momentum Indicator for WES turns negative, indicating new downward trend
WES saw its Momentum Indicator move below the 0 level on November 04, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new downward move. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 102 similar instances where the indicator turned negative. In 44 of the 102 cases, the stock moved further down in the following days. The odds of a decline are at 43%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for WES turned negative on November 05, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 55 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 22 of the 55 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 40%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where WES declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 41%.
The Aroon Indicator for WES entered a downward trend on October 28, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator demonstrates that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 1 day, which means it's wise to expect a price bounce in the near future.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 1 day, which means it's wise to expect a price bounce in the near future.
Following a +3.02% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where WES advanced for three days, in 223 of 345 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 65%.
WES may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 7 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 45, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 31 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 33 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 60 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (3.867) is normal, around the industry mean (147.140). P/E Ratio (12.571) is within average values for comparable stocks, (6.511). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.070) is also within normal values, averaging (13.660). Dividend Yield (0.093) settles around the average of (15719315456.000) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (4.294) is also within normal values, averaging (4.657).
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 60 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. WES’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
PAA | WES | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 11 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 50 Fair valued | 60 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 3 | 7 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 39 | 31 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 41 | 60 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 95 | 33 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
PAA's Valuation (50) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry is in the same range as WES (60) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry. This means that PAA’s stock grew similarly to WES’s over the last 12 months.
PAA's Profit vs Risk Rating (3) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry is in the same range as WES (7) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry. This means that PAA’s stock grew similarly to WES’s over the last 12 months.
WES's SMR Rating (31) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is in the same range as PAA (39) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry. This means that WES’s stock grew similarly to PAA’s over the last 12 months.
PAA's Price Growth Rating (41) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry is in the same range as WES (60) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry. This means that PAA’s stock grew similarly to WES’s over the last 12 months.
WES's P/E Growth Rating (33) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is somewhat better than the same rating for PAA (95) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry. This means that WES’s stock grew somewhat faster than PAA’s over the last 12 months.
| PAA | WES | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 53% | 3 days ago 80% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 61% | 3 days ago 87% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 53% | 3 days ago 43% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 52% | 3 days ago 40% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 50% | 3 days ago 40% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 64% | 3 days ago 35% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 68% | 10 days ago 65% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 49% | 4 days ago 41% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 72% | 3 days ago 75% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 64% | 3 days ago 30% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
PAA’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green while WES’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- PAA’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- WES’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
PAA’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WES’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- PAA’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- WES’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
PAA (@Oil & Gas Pipelines) experienced а -9.77% price change this week, while WES (@Oil & Gas Pipelines) price change was -12.34% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Oil & Gas Pipelines industry was -10.66%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -11.48%, and the average quarterly price growth was -6.93%.
Reported Earning Dates
PAA is expected to report earnings on Feb 05, 2027.
WES is expected to report earnings on Feb 24, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Oil & Gas Pipelines (-10.66% weekly)Oil & Gas Pipelines industry includes companies that transport natural gas and crude oil through pipelines. These companies also collect and market the fuels. The pipeline segment could be considered as a midstream operation – functioning as a link between the upstream and downstream operations in the oil and gas industry. Some of the largest U.S. pipeline players include Enterprise Products Partners L.P, TC Energy Corporation and Energy Transfer, L.P.
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WES and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WES has been loosely correlated with TRGP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 60% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if WES jumps, then TRGP could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To WES | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WES | 100% | N/A | ||
| TRGP - WES | 60% Loosely correlated | -2.66% | ||
| OKE - WES | 59% Loosely correlated | -1.23% | ||
| PAA - WES | 57% Loosely correlated | -2.49% | ||
| PAGP - WES | 55% Loosely correlated | -2.31% | ||
| ET - WES | 55% Loosely correlated | +0.38% | ||
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