Energy Transfer Sees Unusually Large Options Volume (NYSE:ET)

Key Points

• Unusually large options activity: Investors bought 102,786 call options on ET—about a 93% increase versus average daily call volume—while shares traded up roughly 2.1% to $20.50 on heavy stock volume.
• Mixed Q1 results: Revenue and record volumes beat expectations and management raised 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to $18.2–$18.6 billion, but EPS missed ($0.35 vs. $0.38) and management reported material compression in distributable cash flow, signaling distribution sustainability risks.
• Dividend and analyst stance: Energy Transfer raised its quarterly dividend to $0.3375 (a 6.6% yield) despite a payout ratio above 100%, and analysts hold a consensus "Moderate Buy" with a $21.60 price target.

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) was the target of some unusual options trading on Tuesday. Stock investors purchased 102,786 call options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 93% compared to the average daily volume of 53,160 call options.

Energy Transfer News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Energy Transfer this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Revenue and volumes beat expectations; management raised 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to $18.2–$18.6 billion, which supports stronger cash‑flow outlook for the year. Energy Transfer Q1 Earnings Lag Estimates, Revenues Increase Y/Y
• Positive Sentiment: Company reported record volumes and a large revenue increase (Q1 revenue $27.77B, +32.1% YoY), signalling robust operating activity that likely helped lift the stock. Energy Transfer Stock Tests Resistance After Revenue Beat, Record Volumes
• Neutral Sentiment: Press release and slides detail Q1 financials: net income attributable to partners $1.25B and EPS $0.35; management highlights ~$1.5B of organic growth capex in 2026 to date (supports growth but increases leverage/needs execution). Energy Transfer Reports First Quarter 2026 Results and Updates 2026 Financial Guidance
• Negative Sentiment: EPS missed consensus ($0.35 vs $0.38) and management discussed material compression in distributable cash flow (DCF) to partners on a reported basis, a red flag for yield/coverage dynamics and distribution sustainability. Energy Transfer (ET) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst and commentary pieces warn the partnership’s high yield reflects execution and capital-intensity risk; investors may remain cautious despite the upbeat guidance. Here's Why I Still Wouldn't Touch Energy Transfer LP

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on ET shares. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Scotiabank reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Energy Transfer in a report on Friday, January 16th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Energy Transfer from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, March 13th. Truist Financial initiated coverage on Energy Transfer in a research report on Tuesday, March 24th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $23.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Energy Transfer from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Energy Transfer presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $21.60.

Energy Transfer Trading Up 2.1%

Energy Transfer stock traded up $0.42 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $20.50. The company's stock had a trading volume of 28,521,258 shares, compared to its average volume of 16,452,721. The stock's fifty day moving average is $18.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $17.75. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $70.51 billion, a PE ratio of 16.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 0.57. Energy Transfer has a 1 year low of $15.80 and a 1 year high of $20.67.

Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 5th. The pipeline company reported $0.35 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.38 by ($0.03). Energy Transfer had a net margin of 5.11% and a return on equity of 10.17%. The company had revenue of $27.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.58 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.36 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 32.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Energy Transfer will post 1.52 EPS for the current year.

Energy Transfer Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 8th will be given a $0.3375 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 8th. This represents a $1.35 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.6%. This is a boost from Energy Transfer's previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. Energy Transfer's dividend payout ratio is 110.74%.

Institutional Trading of Energy Transfer

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Lee Financial Co lifted its stake in Energy Transfer by 359.7% in the third quarter. Lee Financial Co now owns 193,817 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $3,326,000 after buying an additional 151,657 shares during the last quarter. Eagle Global Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Energy Transfer by 6.0% in the third quarter. Eagle Global Advisors LLC now owns 6,466,059 shares of the pipeline company's stock valued at $110,958,000 after buying an additional 363,623 shares during the last quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. boosted its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 100.1% during the fourth quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 161,523 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $2,664,000 after buying an additional 80,786 shares during the period. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System grew its holdings in shares of Energy Transfer by 5.2% during the third quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 2,927,436 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $50,235,000 after buying an additional 144,037 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fidelis Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in Energy Transfer by 150.2% during the 3rd quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC now owns 105,003 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $1,802,000 after acquiring an additional 63,043 shares during the period. 38.22% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Energy Transfer Company Profile

Energy Transfer NYSE: ET is a Dallas-based midstream energy company that develops and operates infrastructure for the transportation, storage and processing of hydrocarbons. The company's operations focus on moving and storing natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil and refined products through an integrated network of pipelines, terminals, storage facilities and processing plants. Energy Transfer provides core midstream services such as gathering, compression, fractionation, processing, and bulk transportation to support production and downstream supply chains.

Its asset base spans an extensive network across the United States, connecting producing regions, processing centers, petrochemical hubs and coastal and inland markets.

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