In IBD’s Income Investor, top dividend stocks are the main focus. Today, Western Midstream Partners (WES) is back in focus offering investors a jaw-dropping 8.3% dividend yield.
X
Western Midstream stores, processes and transports natural gas and crude oil across the U.S. Midwest.
The company was highlighted in Income Investor last March as a stock to watch with its high yield expected to jump even more.
Investors who took positions in the pipeline company have been rewarded. Shares have ground 10% higher since publication and yields — as predicted — increased from 7.9% at the time.
Western Midstream is set to pay out its next quarterly distribution of 57.5 cents per share Nov. 13 with an ex-dividend date of Oct. 31. At an 8.3% annualized yield, Western Midstream is well above the 5% of a two-year Treasury and miles ahead of the 1.6% average yield of the S&P 500.
Western Midstream Reports Q3 Earnings Nov. 2
To cash in on the next distribution, investors can scoop up shares before Oct. 31. However, one should be mindful that the company also reports third-quarter earnings on Nov. 2. Analysts expect EPS of 64 cents on revenue of $799.5 million, according to FactSet.
A focal point of the earnings call will likely involve the $885 million acquisition of Meritage Midstream, which the company finalized Oct. 13. The move is expected to drive synergies with Western’s current assets, though it comes at the cost of increasing debt.
In addition, enhanced volatility in the energy sector due to the crisis in the Middle East will also move shares. Thankfully, domestic oil and gas pipeline stocks are more sheltered from this risk and Western Midstream’s fee-based contracts have resulted in lower volatility, with the company realizing only 22% annualized volatility over the past 30 days.
Shares of Western are trading above both the 50-day and 200-day moving averages. The stock is forming a flat base amid a greater consolidation with a buy point at 28.74.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
The Income Investor archive
IBD Live: Learn And Analyze Growth Stocks With The Pros
Get Free IBD Newsletters: Market Prep | Tech Report | How To Invest
Looking For The Next Big Stock Market Winners? Start With These 3 Steps
Want More IBD Insights? Subscribe To Our Investing Podcast