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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
- Plains All American Pipeline (PAA) has delivered stronger year-to-date total returns than Western Midstream Partners (WES) amid comparable midstream sector conditions.
- Both companies operate in the midstream energy space, focusing on crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas transportation and processing infrastructure.
- PAA recently raised full-year 2026 guidance following solid first-quarter results, while WES maintained its quarterly distribution at $0.93 per unit.
- PAA exhibits lower beta and potentially more defensive positioning relative to broader market volatility compared with WES.
- Distribution yields remain competitive for both, supported by stable cash flows typical of fee-based midstream business models.
- Recent market activity shows PAA outperforming on a relative basis, though both stocks trade in line with energy infrastructure peers.
Introduction
Plains All American Pipeline (PAA) and Western Midstream Partners (WES) are two midstream master limited partnerships (MLPs) that own and operate critical energy infrastructure assets. Investors and traders focused on the energy sector often compare these names when evaluating exposure to crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs) transportation and processing. This stock comparison examines recent performance, business fundamentals, and market positioning to help market participants assess relative opportunities within the midstream space.
PAA Overview and Recent Performance
Plains All American Pipeline (PAA) is a major midstream energy company that owns and operates pipelines, storage facilities, and other logistics assets primarily serving crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGLs) markets. In recent weeks, the stock has shown resilience, with year-to-date total returns reaching approximately 44% as of late July 2026. The company reported first-quarter 2026 net income attributable to PAA of $152 million and raised full-year Adjusted EBITDA guidance. Recent market activity has been influenced by stable commodity flows and distribution announcements, including a quarterly payout of $0.4175 per unit. Sentiment has benefited from the firm’s progress toward its target leverage range following asset optimization steps.
WES Overview and Recent Performance
Western Midstream Partners (WES) focuses on gathering, processing, and transporting natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids (NGLs) through an extensive asset base in key producing regions. In recent market activity, the stock has posted year-to-date total returns of approximately 25.6% as of late July 2026. The partnership declared a second-quarter 2026 distribution of $0.93 per unit, consistent with prior levels, with payment scheduled for August 2026. Upcoming second-quarter earnings are anticipated, and performance has been supported by steady operational volumes typical of fee-based contracts. Broader sector sentiment and energy price stability have contributed to measured price behavior in recent weeks.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both PAA and WES generate revenue through fee-based midstream contracts that provide relative stability compared with upstream producers. PAA maintains a larger-scale crude and NGL-focused network, while WES emphasizes natural gas gathering and processing in core basins. On recent momentum, PAA has recorded stronger year-to-date gains. Risk factors include commodity volume sensitivity and regulatory developments affecting pipeline infrastructure for both. PAA shows a lower beta, suggesting comparatively muted volatility, whereas WES carries a moderately higher market sensitivity. Sector exposure remains similar, though investor sentiment has tilted toward names demonstrating distribution sustainability and leverage management in the current environment.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, relative performance stability, and recent guidance updates, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probability of favorable positioning to PAA over WES. Stronger year-to-date returns and constructive operational updates provide a modest edge in the current market environment, though both equities remain subject to energy sector dynamics and broader economic influences.
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 Buy and WES is a Buy.
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 undervalued. 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 2 FA rating(s) are green whileWES’s FA Score has 4 green FA rating(s).
- PAA’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- WES’s FA Score: 4 green, 1 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 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- PAA’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- WES’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
PAA (@Oil & Gas Pipelines) experienced а -0.30% price change this week, while WES (@Oil & Gas Pipelines) price change was +2.83% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Oil & Gas Pipelines industry was +7.28%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +2.43%, and the average quarterly price growth was +19.82%.
Reported Earning Dates
PAA is expected to report earnings on Oct 29, 2026.
WES is expected to report earnings on Nov 10, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Oil & Gas Pipelines (+7.28% 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.
| PAA | WES | PAA / WES | |
| Capitalization | 16.6B | 20.4B | 81% |
| EBITDA | 2.91B | 2.41B | 121% |
| Gain YTD | 38.185 | 30.278 | 126% |
| P/E Ratio | 20.05 | 15.28 | 131% |
| Revenue | 45.3B | 4.05B | 1,119% |
| Total Cash | N/A | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 11.6B | 8.71B | 133% |
PAA | WES | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 76 | 81 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 5 Undervalued | 4 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 4 | 2 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 74 | 28 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 46 | 45 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 80 | 24 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 75 |
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.
WES's Valuation (4) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is in the same range as PAA (5) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry. This means that WES’s stock grew similarly to PAA’s over the last 12 months.
WES's Profit vs Risk Rating (2) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is in the same range as PAA (4) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry. This means that WES’s stock grew similarly to PAA’s over the last 12 months.
WES's SMR Rating (28) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is somewhat better than the same rating for PAA (74) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry. This means that WES’s stock grew somewhat faster than PAA’s over the last 12 months.
WES's Price Growth Rating (45) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is in the same range as PAA (46) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry. This means that WES’s stock grew similarly to PAA’s over the last 12 months.
WES's P/E Growth Rating (24) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is somewhat better than the same rating for PAA (80) 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 (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 77% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 47% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 74% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 76% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | 2 days ago 66% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 66% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 49% | 10 days ago 42% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 48% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 58% |
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PAA and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, PAA has been closely correlated with PAGP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 97% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if PAA jumps, then PAGP could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To PAA | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAA | 100% | +0.90% | ||
| PAGP - PAA | 97% Closely correlated | +1.35% | ||
| AM - PAA | 77% Closely correlated | -0.72% | ||
| WES - PAA | 54% Loosely correlated | +0.25% | ||
| TRGP - PAA | 54% Loosely correlated | -0.67% | ||
| ET - PAA | 51% Loosely correlated | -0.91% | ||
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