HOUSTON - Western Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: NYSE:WES) announced today that Oscar K. Brown has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Brown, an independent director of the company's general partner since 2019, replaces Michael Ure, who has stepped down from his role. Ure will continue to advise the new CEO until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.
Jeff Bennett, Chairman of the Board, expressed confidence in Brown's ability to lead the company forward, citing his extensive knowledge of the partnership's strategy and more than 30 years of experience in the energy sector. Bennett also thanked Ure for his leadership, which saw Western Midstream undergo significant transformation and growth.
Brown, who has served as the Chair of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) committee on the General Partner's Board, has held senior positions at Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) and in the financial sector. He also brings experience from serving as Chief Financial Officer of FREYR Battery and on the boards of several non-profits and another pipeline company.
In addition to the leadership change, Western Midstream reaffirmed its 2024 Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow guidance, expecting results towards the higher end of the projected ranges of $2.2 billion to $2.4 billion and $1.05 billion to $1.25 billion, respectively.
The company plans to report its third-quarter 2024 results on November 6, 2024, after market close, and will host a conference call the following day to discuss the quarterly outcomes.
Western Midstream Partners is a master limited partnership involved in the development and operation of midstream assets across several states. The company's business includes the gathering, processing, and transportation of natural gas and other hydrocarbons, with a majority of its cash flows protected from commodity price volatility through fee-based contracts.
This leadership transition and financial guidance confirmation are based on a press release statement from Western Midstream Partners, LP.
In other recent news, Western Gas Partners reported robust Q2 2024 results, including a net income of $370 million and adjusted EBITDA of $578 million. The company also priced an $800 million senior notes offering with an intention to use the proceeds for repaying existing debt and general partnership needs. Western Gas Partners' stock was downgraded by Morgan Stanley from Equalweight to Underweight, citing a limited potential for incremental return of capital following a significant distribution increase in Q1 2024. Analyst firm Mizuho Securities maintained an Outperform rating for Western Gas, highlighting the company's solid growth position and free cash flow potential. Furthermore, RBC Capital Markets increased its price target for Western Gas to $38, following a steady Q2 financial report and reaffirmed guidance for the full year. These are recent developments for Western Gas Partners.
InvestingPro Insights
As Western Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: WES) undergoes a leadership transition, InvestingPro data provides valuable context for investors. The company's market capitalization stands at $14.47 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the midstream energy sector.
WES's financial health appears robust, with a P/E ratio of 9.78, suggesting the stock may be undervalued relative to its earnings. This is further supported by an InvestingPro Tip indicating that WES is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to its near-term earnings growth, which could be attractive to value-oriented investors.
The company's dividend policy is particularly noteworthy. With a dividend yield of 9.11% and a 75% dividend growth in the last twelve months, WES demonstrates a strong commitment to shareholder returns. An InvestingPro Tip highlights that WES has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years and has maintained dividend payments for 12 consecutive years, which aligns with the company's reaffirmed guidance towards the higher end of its projected ranges for Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow.
The appointment of Oscar K. Brown, who has served as the Chair of the ESG committee, comes at a time when WES boasts strong financial metrics. The company's revenue growth of 10.95% and EBITDA growth of 16.5% in the last twelve months indicate positive operational momentum. Moreover, WES's high gross profit margin of 71.07% and operating income margin of 43.2% suggest efficient management of resources, which could bode well for the new leadership.
For investors seeking more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 14 additional tips for WES, providing deeper insights into the company's financial position and market performance.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.