Energy and Healthcare Stocks Underperform
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 24 2026
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Energy Sector Decline: As of midday Tuesday, energy companies are down 0.4%, with ONEOK Inc (OKE) and EQT Corp (EQT) showing losses of 5.2% and 1.7%, respectively, indicating sector weakness that may impact investor confidence.
- ETF Performance Analysis: The Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) is down 0.2% on the day but up 23.09% year-to-date, suggesting that despite short-term volatility, the long-term trend remains positive, potentially attracting more investor interest.
- Healthcare Sector Weakness: The healthcare sector is up 0.3% overall, yet Molina Healthcare Inc (MOH) and CVS Health Corporation (CVS) are down 4.2% and 3.7%, respectively, reflecting challenges faced by the sector that may influence future investment decisions.
- ETF Tracking Status: The Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) is down 0.3% on the day and up 2.09% year-to-date, showing some resilience despite short-term underperformance, which may provide investors with opportunities for risk diversification.
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Analyst Views on OKE
Wall Street analysts forecast OKE stock price to fall
12 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 86.120
Low
75.00
Averages
86.00
High
110.00
Current: 86.120
Low
75.00
Averages
86.00
High
110.00
About OKE
ONEOK, Inc. is a midstream operator that provides gathering, processing, fractionation, transportation, storage and marine export services. The Company's segments include Natural Gas Gathering and Processing; Natural Gas Liquids; Natural Gas Pipelines, and Refined Products and Crude. The Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment provides midstream services to producers in the Rocky Mountain region, the Mid-Continent region, the Permian Basin region and the North Texas region. The Natural Gas Liquids segment owns and operates facilities that gather, fractionate, treat and distribute natural gas liquids (NGLs) and store Purity NGLs, primarily in the Rocky Mountain region, Mid-Continent region, Permian Basin and Gulf Coast region (including Louisiana). The Natural Gas Pipelines segment transports, stores and markets natural gas. The Refined Products and Crude segment gathers, transports, stores, distributes, blends and markets refined products and crude oil.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
ONEOK to Hold 2026 Annual Shareholders Meeting Virtually
- Meeting Schedule: ONEOK will hold its annual shareholders meeting on May 20, 2026, at 9 a.m. Central Time, with shareholders of record as of March 23, 2026, entitled to vote, ensuring active participation in corporate governance.
- Virtual Format: The meeting will be conducted virtually, allowing shareholders to register online starting April 1, 2026, using their control number found in proxy materials, reflecting the company's commitment to modern technology and shareholder convenience.
- Company Overview: ONEOK is a leading midstream operator with approximately 60,000 miles of pipeline, providing transportation services for natural gas, NGLs, refined products, and crude oil, meeting domestic and international energy demands while enhancing energy security.
- Strategic Significance: As one of North America's largest integrated energy infrastructure companies, ONEOK's operations not only support energy supply in the U.S. and globally but also play a crucial role in advancing sustainable energy solutions, showcasing its leadership in the industry.
See More
Analysis of High-Yield Stock Investment Opportunities
- EPR Properties Growth Potential: EPR Properties, a REIT focused on experiential properties, grew its funds from operations (FFO) by 5.1% last year and plans to invest $400 million to $500 million in new properties this year, which is expected to support continued low-to-mid single-digit annual dividend growth.
- Stable Dividend Yield: EPR Properties has increased its dividend yield to approximately 5.9%, ensuring a reliable passive income source for shareholders through stable rental income and new property investments, thereby enhancing its market competitiveness.
- Oneok's Cash Flow Stability: As a leading pipeline company, Oneok achieved double-digit earnings growth last year, primarily driven by acquisitions and organic expansion projects, which allowed it to increase its dividend by 4%, boosting its yield to 5%.
- Future Growth Outlook: Although Oneok expects its growth rate to slow this year, its six high-return organic growth projects under construction are anticipated to enter commercial service between 2026 and 2028, supporting future dividend growth and ensuring long-term cash flow stability.
See More
EPR Properties and Oneok Increase Dividends
- EPR Properties Dividend Increase: EPR Properties raised its monthly dividend by 5.1%, driven by a 5.1% growth in funds from operations last year, primarily from rent growth and a $288.5 million investment in new properties, enhancing its stable cash flow and investment capacity.
- Oneok Dividend Boost: Oneok increased its dividend by 4% for 2026, supported by stable cash flows from long-term fixed contracts and government-regulated rate structures; although growth is expected to slow this year, six high-return organic growth projects under construction are anticipated to support future dividend increases.
- Attractive High-Yield Investments: EPR Properties and Oneok offer dividend yields of 5.9% and 5%, respectively, appealing to investors seeking passive income, particularly in the current economic climate where stable cash flows and growth potential make them ideal investment choices.
- Future Growth Outlook: EPR Properties plans to invest $400 million to $500 million in new properties this year, while Oneok is pursuing additional expansion opportunities to meet rising gas demand, with these strategic investments further solidifying both companies' market positions in their respective sectors.
See More
MPLX Units Surge Over 20% to $60 Amid Growth Initiatives
- Unit Price Surge: MPLX's unit price has soared over 20% since bottoming out last fall, rising from below $50 to around $60, primarily driven by higher oil prices and expansion initiatives, reflecting strong market confidence in its growth potential.
- Solid Financial Performance: The MLP generated over $7 billion in adjusted EBITDA over the past year, up nearly 4% from 2024, indicating stable profitability and growth potential, even though it sits at the low end of its mid-single-digit growth target.
- Expansion Investment Plans: MPLX invested $5.5 billion in growth initiatives last year and plans to allocate another $2.4 billion this year, with ongoing expansion projects expected to come online in the coming years, further driving revenue growth.
- Buybacks and Structural Adjustment: Last year, MPLX completed $400 million in unit repurchases, having retired nearly 2% of its outstanding units over the past five years, and future buybacks could accelerate earnings per unit growth, while considering a transition to a corporate structure to enhance valuation competitiveness.
See More
MPLX Expects Mid-Single-Digit Annual Growth
- Earnings Growth Outlook: MPLX anticipates achieving a mid-single-digit annual growth rate in the coming years, with last year's adjusted EBITDA exceeding $7 billion, reflecting a nearly 4% increase, indicating the company's potential for stable growth.
- Unit Buyback Strategy: The MLP completed $400 million in unit repurchases last year and has retired nearly 2% of its outstanding units over the past five years, which not only offsets dilution from newly issued units but also could accelerate earnings per unit growth.
- Expansion Investments: The company invested $5.5 billion in growth initiatives last year and plans to allocate another $2.4 billion this year, with expansion projects expected to come online in the coming years, further driving earnings growth.
- Structural Adjustment Potential: If MPLX transitions to a corporate structure, it could enhance its valuation multiples, making its dividend yield more competitive with large pipeline companies, as it currently offers a distribution yield exceeding 7%, significantly higher than competitors' yields ranging from 2.8% to 5.2%.
See More
ONEOK Downgraded Amid Weak Q4 and 2026 Guidance
- Rating Downgrade: Wolfe downgraded ONEOK from Outperform to Peer Perform due to the company's weak Q4 performance and disappointing FY 2026 guidance, indicating growth challenges in a low commodity price environment.
- Limited Growth Outlook: Analyst Keith Stanley noted that despite $150 million in new synergies, ONEOK's FY 2026 EBITDA is expected to remain flat year-over-year, with core NGL and G&P segment volumes projected to be roughly flat, limiting significant growth in a $60 oil price scenario.
- Competitive Pressure: With investors increasingly focused on growth leaders, ONEOK faces heightened competitive pressure, particularly if oil prices do not rebound, and is projected to encounter approximately $100 million in headwinds in 2027 due to narrowing Permian gas spreads.
- Return Target Not Met: Although ONEOK offers a 5% yield, the combination of a 3%-4% EBITDA compound annual growth rate from 2025 to 2028 fails to meet the desired total return target of over 10% for most stocks, reflecting investor concerns about its future performance.
See More
ONEOK to Hold 2026 Annual Shareholders Meeting Virtually
- Meeting Schedule: ONEOK will hold its annual shareholders meeting on May 20, 2026, at 9 a.m. Central Time, with shareholders of record as of March 23, 2026, entitled to vote, ensuring active participation in corporate governance.
- Virtual Format: The meeting will be conducted virtually, allowing shareholders to register online starting April 1, 2026, using their control number found in proxy materials, reflecting the company's commitment to modern technology and shareholder convenience.
- Company Overview: ONEOK is a leading midstream operator with approximately 60,000 miles of pipeline, providing transportation services for natural gas, NGLs, refined products, and crude oil, meeting domestic and international energy demands while enhancing energy security.
- Strategic Significance: As one of North America's largest integrated energy infrastructure companies, ONEOK's operations not only support energy supply in the U.S. and globally but also play a crucial role in advancing sustainable energy solutions, showcasing its leadership in the industry.
See More
Analysis of High-Yield Stock Investment Opportunities
- EPR Properties Growth Potential: EPR Properties, a REIT focused on experiential properties, grew its funds from operations (FFO) by 5.1% last year and plans to invest $400 million to $500 million in new properties this year, which is expected to support continued low-to-mid single-digit annual dividend growth.
- Stable Dividend Yield: EPR Properties has increased its dividend yield to approximately 5.9%, ensuring a reliable passive income source for shareholders through stable rental income and new property investments, thereby enhancing its market competitiveness.
- Oneok's Cash Flow Stability: As a leading pipeline company, Oneok achieved double-digit earnings growth last year, primarily driven by acquisitions and organic expansion projects, which allowed it to increase its dividend by 4%, boosting its yield to 5%.
- Future Growth Outlook: Although Oneok expects its growth rate to slow this year, its six high-return organic growth projects under construction are anticipated to enter commercial service between 2026 and 2028, supporting future dividend growth and ensuring long-term cash flow stability.
See More
EPR Properties and Oneok Increase Dividends
- EPR Properties Dividend Increase: EPR Properties raised its monthly dividend by 5.1%, driven by a 5.1% growth in funds from operations last year, primarily from rent growth and a $288.5 million investment in new properties, enhancing its stable cash flow and investment capacity.
- Oneok Dividend Boost: Oneok increased its dividend by 4% for 2026, supported by stable cash flows from long-term fixed contracts and government-regulated rate structures; although growth is expected to slow this year, six high-return organic growth projects under construction are anticipated to support future dividend increases.
- Attractive High-Yield Investments: EPR Properties and Oneok offer dividend yields of 5.9% and 5%, respectively, appealing to investors seeking passive income, particularly in the current economic climate where stable cash flows and growth potential make them ideal investment choices.
- Future Growth Outlook: EPR Properties plans to invest $400 million to $500 million in new properties this year, while Oneok is pursuing additional expansion opportunities to meet rising gas demand, with these strategic investments further solidifying both companies' market positions in their respective sectors.
See More
MPLX Units Surge Over 20% to $60 Amid Growth Initiatives
- Unit Price Surge: MPLX's unit price has soared over 20% since bottoming out last fall, rising from below $50 to around $60, primarily driven by higher oil prices and expansion initiatives, reflecting strong market confidence in its growth potential.
- Solid Financial Performance: The MLP generated over $7 billion in adjusted EBITDA over the past year, up nearly 4% from 2024, indicating stable profitability and growth potential, even though it sits at the low end of its mid-single-digit growth target.
- Expansion Investment Plans: MPLX invested $5.5 billion in growth initiatives last year and plans to allocate another $2.4 billion this year, with ongoing expansion projects expected to come online in the coming years, further driving revenue growth.
- Buybacks and Structural Adjustment: Last year, MPLX completed $400 million in unit repurchases, having retired nearly 2% of its outstanding units over the past five years, and future buybacks could accelerate earnings per unit growth, while considering a transition to a corporate structure to enhance valuation competitiveness.
See More
MPLX Expects Mid-Single-Digit Annual Growth
- Earnings Growth Outlook: MPLX anticipates achieving a mid-single-digit annual growth rate in the coming years, with last year's adjusted EBITDA exceeding $7 billion, reflecting a nearly 4% increase, indicating the company's potential for stable growth.
- Unit Buyback Strategy: The MLP completed $400 million in unit repurchases last year and has retired nearly 2% of its outstanding units over the past five years, which not only offsets dilution from newly issued units but also could accelerate earnings per unit growth.
- Expansion Investments: The company invested $5.5 billion in growth initiatives last year and plans to allocate another $2.4 billion this year, with expansion projects expected to come online in the coming years, further driving earnings growth.
- Structural Adjustment Potential: If MPLX transitions to a corporate structure, it could enhance its valuation multiples, making its dividend yield more competitive with large pipeline companies, as it currently offers a distribution yield exceeding 7%, significantly higher than competitors' yields ranging from 2.8% to 5.2%.
See More
ONEOK Downgraded Amid Weak Q4 and 2026 Guidance
- Rating Downgrade: Wolfe downgraded ONEOK from Outperform to Peer Perform due to the company's weak Q4 performance and disappointing FY 2026 guidance, indicating growth challenges in a low commodity price environment.
- Limited Growth Outlook: Analyst Keith Stanley noted that despite $150 million in new synergies, ONEOK's FY 2026 EBITDA is expected to remain flat year-over-year, with core NGL and G&P segment volumes projected to be roughly flat, limiting significant growth in a $60 oil price scenario.
- Competitive Pressure: With investors increasingly focused on growth leaders, ONEOK faces heightened competitive pressure, particularly if oil prices do not rebound, and is projected to encounter approximately $100 million in headwinds in 2027 due to narrowing Permian gas spreads.
- Return Target Not Met: Although ONEOK offers a 5% yield, the combination of a 3%-4% EBITDA compound annual growth rate from 2025 to 2028 fails to meet the desired total return target of over 10% for most stocks, reflecting investor concerns about its future performance.
See More
