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ET or TRGP or WES
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Energy Transfer LP (ET) vs. Targa Resources Corp. (TRGP) vs. Western Midstream Partners, LP (WES) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- TRGP leads year-to-date (YTD) performance at 39.20%, driven by a 25% dividend hike and Permian Basin expansion plans.
- ET boasts the largest market capitalization at $68.6 billion and a solid 23.19% YTD return, reflecting its diversified midstream operations.
- WES offers the highest dividend yield around 8.8%, appealing to income-focused investors despite a more modest 11.51% YTD gain.
- All three stocks experienced minor pullbacks in recent market sessions but benefit from upcoming Q1 2026 earnings reports and sector payout growth trends.
- Valuations vary, with WES at the lowest trailing P/E ratio (price-to-earnings) of 14.15, compared to ET's 16.48 and TRGP's 29.95.
- Low betas (0.57 for ET, 0.74 for TRGP, 0.70 for WES) indicate relative stability versus the broader market.
Introduction
Energy Transfer LP (ET), Targa Resources Corp. (TRGP), and Western Midstream Partners, LP (WES) are prominent players in the midstream energy sector, focusing on natural gas gathering, processing, and transportation. This comparison analyzes their recent market positioning, performance, and key metrics amid fluctuating energy commodity prices and infrastructure demand. Traders seeking momentum and investors prioritizing high-yield dividends or growth potential in pipelines and natural gas liquids (NGL) will find these insights valuable for evaluating relative strengths in the current environment.
ET Overview and Recent Performance
Energy Transfer LP (ET) operates an extensive network of pipelines for natural gas, NGLs, and crude oil across the U.S., including intrastate and interstate transportation, midstream gathering, and investments in Sunoco LP and USA Compression Partners. With a market cap of $68.6 billion, it closed at $19.94 on May 1, 2026, near its 52-week high of $20.28. In recent weeks, the stock has demonstrated resilience with a 23.19% YTD return, outperforming the S&P 500, amid positive industry outlooks for midstream firms. Sentiment has been influenced by upcoming Q1 2026 earnings on May 5 and a 6.70% dividend yield, though analysts note caution due to sector challenges like commodity volatility.
TRGP Overview and Recent Performance
Targa Resources Corp. (TRGP) specializes in gathering, processing, and logistics for natural gas, NGLs, and crude oil, with key operations in the Permian Basin and Gulf Coast. Its $54.7 billion market cap reflects strong growth positioning, with shares closing at $254.28 on May 1, 2026, close to the 52-week high of $260.49. Recent market activity shows robust momentum, including a 39.20% YTD gain, fueled by a 25% quarterly dividend increase to $1.25 and Permian capacity expansions projecting revenue growth. Despite a minor dip and insider sales, positive analyst updates and Q1 earnings on May 7 have supported upward sentiment.
WES Overview and Recent Performance
Western Midstream Partners, LP (WES) focuses on natural gas gathering, processing, and crude handling in Texas, New Mexico, and the Rockies, including produced water services. At a $17.2 billion market cap, it traded at $42.16 on May 1, 2026, within its 52-week range of $35.25-$44.74. Recent weeks featured a price pullback after strong long-term returns and an 11.51% YTD performance. Key drivers include a high 8.82% dividend yield, Q1 distribution announcement, and earnings on May 6, with mixed analyst views contributing to steady but cautious market positioning.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
All three operate in midstream energy, transporting and processing natural gas and NGLs, but differ in scale and focus: ET’s vast pipeline network provides diversification, while TRGP emphasizes Permian growth and WES targets specific basins with water services. Recent momentum favors TRGP amid expansion catalysts, contrasting WES’s pullback. Risk profiles are low across the board with betas under 0.8, though TRGP shows higher volatility. Valuation sensitivity highlights WES’s attractive P/E and yield for value plays versus TRGP’s premium for growth. Market sentiment tilts positive on dividend sustainability and sector payout trends, balancing trade-offs in stability versus upside potential.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI models would likely favor TRGP in the current environment, given its superior YTD trend consistency, recent dividend growth catalyst, and Permian-driven positioning amid energy infrastructure demand. While ET offers scale and stability and WES high yield, TRGP’s momentum edges it probabilistically higher for near-term relative performance.
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. Disclaimers and Limitations
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).
ET’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileTRGP’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s), and WES’s FA Score reflects 3 green FA rating(s).
- ET’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- TRGP’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 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.
ET’s TA Score shows that 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while TRGP’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s), and WES’s TA Score reflects 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ET’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
- TRGP’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
- WES’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
ET (@Oil & Gas Pipelines) experienced а -2.46% price change this week, while TRGP (@Oil & Gas Pipelines) price change was +0.33% , and WES (@Oil & Gas Pipelines) price fluctuated -0.28% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Oil & Gas Pipelines industry was +1.86%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.08%, and the average quarterly price growth was +30.84%.
Reported Earning Dates
ET is expected to report earnings on Aug 05, 2026.
TRGP is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
WES is expected to report earnings on Aug 12, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Oil & Gas Pipelines (+1.86% 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.
| ET | TRGP | WES | |
| Capitalization | 65.6B | 56.7B | 17.4B |
| EBITDA | 15.9B | 5.22B | 2.41B |
| Gain YTD | 19.783 | 44.618 | 15.059 |
| P/E Ratio | 15.88 | 26.98 | 14.55 |
| Revenue | 92.3B | 16.6B | 4.05B |
| Total Cash | 951M | 100M | 647M |
| Total Debt | 71.1B | 19.1B | 8.71B |
ET | TRGP | WES | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 84 | 88 | 92 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 2 Undervalued | 32 Undervalued | 5 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 13 | 8 | 3 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 46 | 13 | 44 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 34 | 62 | 29 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 65 | 16 | 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.
ET's Valuation (2) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry is in the same range as WES (5) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry, and is in the same range as TRGP (32) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry. This means that ET's stock grew similarly to WES’s and similarly to TRGP’s over the last 12 months.
WES's Profit vs Risk Rating (3) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is in the same range as TRGP (8) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry, and is in the same range as ET (13) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry. This means that WES's stock grew similarly to TRGP’s and similarly to ET’s over the last 12 months.
WES's SMR Rating (100) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is in the same range as TRGP (100) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry, and is in the same range as ET (100) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry. This means that WES's stock grew similarly to TRGP’s and similarly to ET’s over the last 12 months.
TRGP's Price Growth Rating (13) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is in the same range as WES (44) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for ET (46) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry. This means that TRGP's stock grew similarly to WES’s and somewhat faster than ET’s over the last 12 months.
WES's P/E Growth Rating (29) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is in the same range as ET (34) in the Oil And Gas Pipelines industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for TRGP (62) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry. This means that WES's stock grew similarly to ET’s and somewhat faster than TRGP’s over the last 12 months.
| ET | TRGP | WES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 44% | 2 days ago 58% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 78% | 2 days ago 75% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 38% | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 47% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 43% | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 38% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 44% | 2 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 42% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 42% | 2 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 53% | 2 days ago 76% | 7 days ago 65% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 42% | 13 days ago 54% | 2 days ago 44% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 73% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 78% | 2 days ago 60% |
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ET and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ET has been loosely correlated with OKE. These tickers have moved in lockstep 58% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if ET jumps, then OKE could also see price increases.
TRGP and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, TRGP has been closely correlated with OKE. These tickers have moved in lockstep 72% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if TRGP jumps, then OKE could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To TRGP | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRGP | 100% | +0.02% | ||
| OKE - TRGP | 72% Closely correlated | -0.41% | ||
| KMI - TRGP | 57% Loosely correlated | +0.16% | ||
| KNTK - TRGP | 55% Loosely correlated | -0.24% | ||
| WMB - TRGP | 54% Loosely correlated | N/A | ||
| PAGP - TRGP | 54% Loosely correlated | -1.16% | ||
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