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Kinder Morgan, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 22 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 new, 6 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net income and EPS rose: EPS was $0.44, up 38%, and Adjusted EPS was $0.48, up 41%. Net income attributable to KMI rose 36%, and adjusted net income excluding Certain Items was $1,063 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 18%: Adjusted EBITDA reached $2,539 million, compared with $2,157 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Natural gas drove the quarter: Management said the Natural Gas Pipelines segment produced most of the gain. Winter storm Fern and extended cold weather contributed to the result. Source
  • Project backlog reached $10.1 billion: Management said $375 million of projects were added and $230 million were placed in service during the quarter. Source
  • SSE4 adds 1.3 Bcf/d to SNG: The phased project's KM-share is about $1.8 billion including EEC. First-phase service is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2028. Source
  • Net Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA at 3.6 times: Net debt was $31,798 million at March 31, against $31,716 million at December 31. The ratio was 3.8 times at year-end 2025. Source

“As a fee-based midstream energy company with highly creditworthy shippers, we are largely insulated from that volatility.”

Executive Chairman Richard D. Kinder

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net income attributable to KMI Source2026 budget$3.1 billion, flat to the previous yearKept
Adjusted net income attributable to KMI Source2026 budget5% higher than 2025Kept
Adjusted EPS Source2026 budget$1.36, up 5% from 2025Kept
Dividends declared per share Source2026$1.19 per share, up 2% from 2025Kept
Adjusted EBITDA Source2026 budget$8.6 billion, up 2% versus 2025Kept
Net Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA ratio Sourceyear-end 20263.8 timesKept
Adjusted EBITDA versus budget Source2026 year to datemore than 3% favorable to budgetNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Moody’s raised the senior unsecured rating to Baa1 from Baa2. The company is now rated the equivalent of BBB+ at all three agencies. Source
  • New: KMI agreed to acquire the Monument Pipeline, a Houston-area system, for $505 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments. Source
  • New: Ken Grubb, Chief Project Officer, will succeed James Holland as COO. Holland retires effective September 4, 2026. Source
  • New: The second Western Gateway open season, with Phillips 66, closed with sufficient customer commitments to advance the refined products pipeline. Source
  • New: Terminal service agreements at KMET and Pasadena were terminated early for lump-sum payments. The released storage was re-contracted on a long-term basis. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net income and EPS rose: EPS was $0.44, up 38%, and Adjusted EPS was $0.48, up 41%. Net income attributable to KMI rose 36%, and adjusted net income excluding Certain Items was $1,063 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 18%: Adjusted EBITDA reached $2,539 million, compared with $2,157 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Natural gas drove the quarter: Management said the Natural Gas Pipelines segment produced most of the gain. Winter storm Fern and extended cold weather contributed to the result. Source
  • Cash flow and FCF rose: Cash flow from operations was $1.5 billion, and FCF after capital expenditures was $0.7 billion. Both were higher than the prior-year quarter. Source

Segment results

  • Texas Intrastate lifted gas segment: Natural Gas Pipelines segment earnings rose, mainly on the Texas Intrastate system, which benefited from cold winter weather. Source
  • Transport and gathering volumes grew: Gathering volumes rose 15%, with KinderHawk showing the largest growth. LNG deliveries on Tennessee Gas Pipeline drove the transport increase. Source
  • Products earnings up on transmix: A court decision allowed recovery of retroactive rate increases. A first quarter 2025 turnaround at the condensate facility weighed on the prior-year base. Source
  • Crude volumes fell on Double H: Refined products volumes were down 2%. Crude and condensate volumes fell 12%, partly offset by higher Kinder Morgan Crude and Condensate Pipeline volumes. Source
  • Terminals earnings up on Houston hub: Bulk terminals and the Jones Act tanker fleet, which is fully contracted under term charters, were also up versus the prior-year quarter. Source
  • CO2 segment up on renewable gas: Adjusted segment EBDA was $189 million against $182 million. Lower realized crude oil and NGL prices partly offset these gains. Source

“While our expansion projects and backlog receive quite a bit of attention, and deservedly so, this quarter’s outperformance is also a testament to the strength of our base business, particularly natural gas.”

Chief Executive Officer Kim Dang

Products and terminals

  • Tucson diesel expansion in service: The project adds 2,500 barrels per day of diesel capacity to Tucson. All of the added capacity is supported by long-term, take-or-pay customer commitments. Source
  • Double H conversion built: The approximately $165 million Hiland Express project has completed construction operations, converting the Double H system to natural gas liquids service. Source
  • Houston Ship Channel storage projects: A $139 million Pasadena pipeline project and a $30 million KMET reconfiguration back-fill the released storage. Both are supported by long-term commitments. Source
  • Florida Gas open seasons completed: Florida Gas Transmission completed open seasons on its South Florida and Phase IX projects. Together they are expected to cost more than $700 million (KM-share). Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Costs of sales rose with revenue: Revenues were $4,828 million, against $4,241 million. Operations and maintenance expense was flat at $711 million in both periods. Source
  • Realized oil and NGL prices lower: Realized oil averaged $65.42 per barrel against $68.38, and NGL $30.02 against $35.36. These lower prices partly offset CO2 segment gains. Source
  • Tax expense rose, interest fell: Income tax expense was $287 million against $186 million. Interest, net, fell to $430 million from $451 million. Source

Demand and the order book

  • Project backlog reached $10.1 billion: Management said $375 million of projects were added and $230 million were placed in service during the quarter. Source
  • Gas and power dominate backlog: Natural gas projects make up about 92% of backlog. Nearly 60% supports power generation and local distribution company demand. Source
  • Remaining backlog at 5.6 times: CO2 enhanced oil recovery and gathering projects are excluded from the multiple. Management expects the remaining $8.9 billion to yield about 5.6 times first-full-year Project EBITDA. Source
  • Pipeline utilization climbed to 90%: Utilization of five major natural gas pipeline systems rose from 74% in 2016 to 90% in 2025. Source
  • LNG supply security adds demand: Kinder said conflicts raise the value of US LNG supply, adding demand for the services the company provides to its shippers. Source
  • Power-sector gas demand projected up: Kinder pointed to projected domestic natural gas demand growth, particularly in power, separate from geopolitical effects. Source

Gas expansion projects

  • SSE4 adds 1.3 Bcf/d to SNG: The phased project's KM-share is about $1.8 billion including EEC. First-phase service is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2028. Source
  • Mississippi Crossing draft statement issued: Tennessee Gas Pipeline's roughly $1.7 billion project could be in service as early as the second quarter of 2028, if permits arrive on time. Source
  • Trident construction continues: The roughly 219-mile, 2 Bcf/d line runs from Katy to the Port Arthur industrial corridor. About 30% of run-rate Project EBITDA is expected in 2027 due to staggered starts. Source
  • Creekside Lateral serves Central Texas: The roughly 11.2-mile, 42-inch line expands gas delivery in Central Texas for power, industrial and data center demand. Source
  • LAHA Header construction started: The Louisiana intrastate line is about 750,000 Mcf/d with compression near KinderHawk, providing firm transport on long-term demand charges. Source
  • Amarillo Expansion adds firm capacity: The NGPL project totals about $200 million, with KM-share about $75 million, to serve Texas Panhandle demand. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Quarterly dividend up 2%: The quarterly dividend is $0.2975 per share, or $1.19 annualized, and is 2% above the first quarter of 2025. Record date is May 4, 2026. Source
  • FCF after dividends turned positive: Dividends paid were $654 million against $642 million. FCF after dividends was $33 million, compared with negative $246 million a year earlier. Source
  • Capital expenditures reached $804 million: Capital expenditures (GAAP) were $804 million against $766 million a year earlier. Source
  • Net Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA at 3.6 times: Net debt was $31,798 million at March 31, against $31,716 million at December 31. The ratio was 3.8 times at year-end 2025. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Monument priced under 8 times: Management expects a medium-term investment-to-EBITDA multiple of less than 8.0 times, reflecting contracted growth under existing agreements. Source
  • Monument contracts average nine years: Monument is complementary to the Texas intrastate network. Its revenue-weighted remaining contract term is about nine years. Source
  • Totem Storage expansion in service: The approximately $80 million Totem project (KM-share about $40 million) improves late-season withdrawal for Front Range customers and is fully subscribed. Source

Coming up, as management said on 22 April 2026

  • Monument Pipeline closing expected: Management expects the Monument Pipeline acquisition to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. Source
  • FERC certificate orders expected July: FERC has indicated it expects to issue certificate orders for SSE4 and Mississippi Crossing in July 2026. Source
  • Hiland Express in service mid-Q2: Line-fill operations are underway. Management expects the Double H conversion to be in service by the middle of the second quarter of 2026. Source
  • Creekside Lateral in service Q4: Management targets service for the Creekside Lateral in the fourth quarter of 2026. Source
  • LAHA Header in service Q1 2027: The approximately $100 million LAHA Header project is expected in service during the first quarter of 2027. Source
  • Amarillo targeted for Q3 2028: Management targets service for the Amarillo Expansion in the third quarter of 2028. Source
  • Trident first phase due Q1 2027: The Trident first phase is expected in service in the first quarter of 2027, with the second phase expected in the fourth quarter of 2028. Source
  • Western Gateway completion by mid-2029: Management targets completion of the Western Gateway refined products system by mid-2029. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
EPS growth target Source2026 budgeted Adjusted EPS of $1.36, up 5% from 2025

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management cited conflict in the Middle East, alongside the war in Ukraine, as a source of significant commodity price volatility. Source
  • Regulatory: In-service dates for the expansion and terminal projects depend on timely receipt and continued effectiveness of permits and approvals. Source
  • Operational: Advancement of Western Gateway depends on definitive transportation service agreements, joint venture agreements and board approvals. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Kinder said the company will continue to thrive by staying disciplined and committed to its original strategy. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it continued to fund high-quality capital projects internally during the quarter. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.