US Capital Advisors Weighs in on Cheniere Energy Q1 Earnings

Key Points

• US Capital Advisors cut its Q1 2026 EPS estimate for Cheniere from $2.74 to $2.50 and provided forward EPS projections (Q2 2026: $2.56; full‑year consensus: $11.69 per share).
• Analyst sentiment remains largely positive with multiple price‑target upgrades (e.g., Bank of America to $322, Morgan Stanley to $313 and an "overweight" rating), leaving a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target of $275.53.
• Cheniere reported a strong recent quarter—$10.68 EPS vs. $3.90 expected and revenue up 22.9% YoY—and its board authorized a $10 billion share repurchase while paying a quarterly dividend of $0.555.

Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG - Free Report) - Stock analysts at US Capital Advisors decreased their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Cheniere Energy in a report released on Monday, March 23rd. US Capital Advisors analyst J. Carreker now anticipates that the energy company will post earnings of $2.50 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $2.74. The consensus estimate for Cheniere Energy's current full-year earnings is $11.69 per share. US Capital Advisors also issued estimates for Cheniere Energy's Q2 2026 earnings at $2.56 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $4.34 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $3.80 EPS and Q4 2027 earnings at $4.55 EPS.

LNG has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Bank of America upped their target price on Cheniere Energy from $296.00 to $322.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday. Wolfe Research set a $220.00 target price on Cheniere Energy and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on Cheniere Energy from $266.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $283.00 to $280.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised shares of Cheniere Energy from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and raised their price target for the stock from $236.00 to $313.00 in a research note on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Cheniere Energy currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $275.53.

Cheniere Energy Stock Performance

Cheniere Energy stock opened at $287.39 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $60.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.83 and a beta of 0.25. Cheniere Energy has a 1-year low of $186.20 and a 1-year high of $299.49. The company's 50-day moving average is $227.82 and its 200 day moving average is $218.47.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The energy company reported $10.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.90 by $6.78. Cheniere Energy had a net margin of 26.68% and a return on equity of 32.04%. The business had revenue of $5.45 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.48 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $4.33 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 22.9% on a year-over-year basis.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cheniere Energy

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Salomon & Ludwin LLC acquired a new stake in Cheniere Energy during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Strive Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Cheniere Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. lifted its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 250.0% during the 3rd quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 140 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. 87.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Cheniere Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, February 6th were given a $0.555 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 6th. This represents a $2.22 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. Cheniere Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 9.14%.

Cheniere Energy announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Thursday, February 26th that authorizes the company to repurchase $10.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the energy company to buy up to 21.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company's board believes its shares are undervalued.

More Cheniere Energy News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley upgraded Cheniere from "equal weight" to "overweight" and raised its price target sharply, citing an upbeat LNG outlook tied to supply disruptions—this is a direct catalyst for buying interest. Morgan Stanley upgrades Cheniere Energy (LNG)
• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley upgraded U.S. LNG exporters broadly (including Cheniere) amid supply disruptions—adds institutional weight to the bullish thesis. Morgan Stanley upgrades US LNG exporters amid supply disruptions
• Positive Sentiment: BMO Capital Markets raised its price target to $306 and put an "outperform" call on LNG, reinforcing analyst momentum behind the stock. BMO raises price target
• Positive Sentiment: Additional price-target upgrades and a consensus "moderate buy" from brokerages have appeared (one note moved PT to $322), amplifying buying pressure. Price Target Raised to $322
• Positive Sentiment: Cheniere’s CEO emphasized at CERAWeek that the Middle East situation underscores the need for diversified energy supply, a narrative that supports demand for U.S. LNG exports. CERAWEEK: Mideast situation shows need for energy diversification
• Neutral Sentiment: Sector and market commentary (Zacks, Yahoo Finance, and an MSN piece) highlight LNG tightness and position Cheniere among top U.S. LNG stocks to watch—helpful for sentiment but not company-specific news. Zacks: Stock to Watch
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst and commentator videos and articles (e.g., an energy-bull case video) reiterate long-term demand for natural gas; useful for investor conviction but largely thematic. Joe Rinaldi Offers Energy Bull Cases
• Negative Sentiment: Some funds (Brown Advisory) reported Cheniere shares traded lower in Q4, a reminder that fund flows and stock-selection impacts can add short-term volatility. Shares Traded Lower in Q4

Cheniere Energy Company Profile

Cheniere Energy, Inc is a U.S.-based energy company that develops, owns and operates liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure and markets LNG to global customers. The company's core activities include natural gas liquefaction, long‑term and short‑term LNG sales and marketing, and the associated midstream services required to move gas from production basins to international markets. Cheniere focuses on converting domestic natural gas into LNG for export, providing a bridge between North American supply and overseas demand.

Cheniere's principal operating assets are large-scale LNG export terminals located on the U.S.

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