Choreo LLC raised its stake in Williams Companies, Inc. (The) (NYSE:WMB - Free Report) by 56.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 46,579 shares of the pipeline company's stock after purchasing an additional 16,787 shares during the quarter. Choreo LLC's holdings in Williams Companies were worth $3,166,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Main Street Group LTD purchased a new stake in shares of Williams Companies during the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Allied Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Williams Companies during the second quarter worth about $28,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Williams Companies in the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC lifted its position in Williams Companies by 56.3% during the 2nd quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC now owns 386 shares of the pipeline company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. Finally, James T. Borello RIA acquired a new position in Williams Companies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. 86.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
A number of research firms have recently issued reports on WMB. Capital One Financial began coverage on shares of Williams Companies in a research note on Tuesday, September 22nd. They set an "overweight" rating and a $92.00 price objective on the stock. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce reduced their price target on Williams Companies from $85.00 to $82.00 and set an "outperformer" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on Williams Companies from $83.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, August 10th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Williams Companies from $99.00 to $103.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 18th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of Williams Companies from $85.00 to $83.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 14th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $86.06.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on WMB
Key Headlines Impacting Williams Companies
Here are the key news stories impacting Williams Companies this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Dividend reaffirmed: Williams approved its regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.525 per share, equivalent to $2.10 annually. The payment is scheduled for December 28, 2026, for shareholders of record on December 11. The decision reinforces WMB’s appeal as an income-oriented pipeline investment. How Raised Earnings Estimates At Williams Companies Has Changed Its Investment Story
- Positive Sentiment: Longer-term earnings estimates increased: US Capital Advisors raised its EPS forecasts for the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2027, as well as full-year 2027 to $2.24 from $2.07 and full-year 2028 to $2.81 from $2.67. The revisions suggest analysts see improving growth potential from Williams’ infrastructure and gathering operations. Williams Companies analyst estimate revisions
- Positive Sentiment: Options activity indicates bullish positioning: Traders purchased a large volume of WMB call options, signaling that some market participants are positioning for additional upside, although options activity does not guarantee a change in fundamentals. Stock Traders Purchase Large Volume of Williams Companies Call Options
- Neutral Sentiment: Q3 earnings expectations remain the immediate focus: Analysts are evaluating operating metrics such as gathering volumes and segment EBITDA ahead of Williams’ quarterly report. Current estimates center on approximately $0.51 in Q3 EPS, with attention on whether results support the company’s full-year outlook. Gear Up for The Williams Companies Q3 Earnings
- Negative Sentiment: Near-term estimates were trimmed: US Capital Advisors reduced its Q3 2026 EPS forecast from $0.54 to $0.51 and its full-year 2026 forecast from $2.34 to $2.33. The revisions are small but could limit near-term enthusiasm ahead of earnings.
- Negative Sentiment: Interest-rate risk remains a concern: Commentary warns that rising rates could pressure the broader bull market. Although pipelines are viewed as relatively defensive, higher borrowing costs can weigh on valuation and dividend-focused stocks such as WMB. Why Rising Rates Could Break the Bull Market
Insider Buying and Selling at Williams Companies
In related news, SVP Terrance Wilson sold 13,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $74.87, for a total transaction of $973,310.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 268,159 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,077,064.33. This trade represents a 4.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 19,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,401,430. 0.47% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.
Williams Companies Trading Down 0.7%
NYSE:WMB opened at $74.32 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $72.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $72.28. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $90.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.64. Williams Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $56.19 and a 1-year high of $80.07.
Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 3rd. The pipeline company reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts' consensus estimates of $0.50. Williams Companies had a net margin of 25.17% and a return on equity of 18.49%. The company had revenue of $3.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.83 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.46 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was up 9.8% on a year-over-year basis. Williams Companies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.350-2.350 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Williams Companies, Inc. will post 2.42 earnings per share for the current year.
Williams Companies Dividend Announcement
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.5250 per share. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 11th. Williams Companies's payout ratio is 83.67%.
About Williams Companies
(
Free Report)
The Williams Companies, Inc is an energy infrastructure company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founded in 1908 as Williams Brothers, the company has evolved from an early pipeline contractor into a major operator of natural gas infrastructure in the United States.
Williams primarily gathers, processes, transports and stores natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its assets include interstate and regional pipelines, gas processing and fractionation facilities, storage operations, and gathering systems that connect producers with utilities, industrial customers, power generators and other energy markets.
Featured Stories

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.
Before you consider Williams Companies, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Williams Companies wasn't on the list.
While Williams Companies currently has a Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
Looking for higher dividend income in 2027? Discover seven high-yield dividend stocks with attractive payouts, proven dividend histories and growth potential.
Get This Free Report
Continue following MarketBeat
Add MarketBeat as your preferred source on Google to see our latest stories in your feed.
Like this article? Share it with a colleague.
Link copied to clipboard.