Energy, Automobile, EV, Renewable News | Williams Delivers Record Third-Quarter Results Driven by Continued Strength of Base Business

Williams Delivers Record Third-Quarter Results Driven by Continued Strength of Base Business

November 7, 2024

TULSA, Okla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Williams (NYSE: WMB) today announced its unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2024.

Demonstrated track record of year-over-year financial gains

GAAP net income of $705 million, or $0.58 per diluted share (EPS) – up 8% vs. 3Q 2023
Adjusted net income of $528 million, or $0.43 per diluted share (Adj. EPS)
Record 3Q Adjusted EBITDA of $1.703 billion – up $51 million or 3% vs. 3Q 2023
Cash flow from operations (CFFO) of $1.243 billion
Available funds from operations (AFFO) of $1.286 billion – up $56 million or 5% vs. 3Q 2023
Dividend coverage ratio of 2.22x (AFFO basis)
Increased midpoint for full-year 2024 guidance by $125 million to $7.075 billion Adjusted EBITDA

Proven project execution continues to deliver long-term, stable growth

Placed Transco’s Regional Energy Access into full service ahead of schedule on Aug. 1
Placed MountainWest’s Uinta Basin expansion in-service
Placed portion of Transco’s Southside Reliability Enhancement in-service
Placed Anchor in-service and completed construction on Whale in Deepwater Gulf of Mexico
Began construction on Transco’s Commonwealth Energy Connector
Obtained favorable rulings and began construction on Louisiana Energy Gateway project
Began construction on two solar projects in the Northeast and signed commercial agreements with Florida utility fully subscribing large-scale Lakeland Solar project

Captured new, high-return growth projects across footprint

Received FERC certificate for MountainWest Overthrust Westbound expansion
Filed FERC application for Transco’s ~1.6 Bcf/d Southeast Supply Enhancement project
Executed agreement on Transco’s Dalton Lateral Expansion II
Executed agreements on three new expansions on Northwest Pipeline, totaling ~260 MMcf/d of firm capacity

CEO Perspective

Alan Armstrong, president and chief executive officer, made the following comments:

“Williams delivered another quarter of impressive financial results, with Adjusted EBITDA hitting a third quarter record of $1.7 billion, up 3 percent over third quarter 2023, driven primarily by our natural gas transmission expansions and Gulf Coast storage acquisition. We’ve exceeded financial expectations each quarter this year, and our crisp execution along with our core business strength gives us the confidence to raise our 2024 Adjusted EBITDA guidance midpoint by $125 million to $7.075 billion.

“Our teams continue to excel in executing large-scale expansion projects to serve growing natural gas demand for residential, commercial and industrial use. In addition to placing Transco’s Regional Energy Access in service ahead of schedule, we also brought online an expansion to MountainWest as well as a portion of Transco’s Southside Reliability Enhancement. Construction is underway on the Louisiana Energy Gateway project as well as Transco’s Commonwealth Energy Connector. In the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico, we commissioned our large-scale facilities to receive production from both Chevron’s Anchor field in August and Shell’s Whale field as they ramp up production in the fourth quarter.

“Not only do we have a clear line of sight to a full roster of projects in execution, but we continue to commercialize vital, high-return projects across our footprint. We executed a precedent agreement on another expansion to the Transco Dalton Lateral driven by load growth from data center demand and industrial re-shoring in the Atlanta area. In the Rockies and Northwest, we entered into new binding agreements for three separate natural gas transmission expansions to serve power and load growth, including a large coal-to-gas power plant conversion. In addition, we filed the FERC application for Transco’s Southeast Supply Enhancement project, a 1.6 Bcf/d expansion to meet growing residential, commercial and industrial demand in cities across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.”

Armstrong added, “All this activity underscores the accelerating demand for natural gas transmission capacity in the United States, particularly in the growing regions where we operate. As the most natural gas-centric energy infrastructure provider with access to the most prolific U.S. basins, Williams is the best positioned to serve steadily increasing domestic needs for clean and affordable energy, while also helping unlock vast U.S. reserves for the global market.”

Williams Summary Financial Information	3Q		Year to Date
Amounts in millions, except ratios and per-share amounts. Per share amounts are reported on a diluted basis. Net income amounts are from continuing operations attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. available to common stockholders.	2024	2023	2024	2023

GAAP Measures
Net Income	$705	$654	$1,737	$2,127
Net Income Per Share	$0.58	$0.54	$1.42	$1.74
Cash Flow From Operations	$1,243	$1,234	$3,756	$4,125

Non-GAAP Measures (1)
Adjusted EBITDA	$1,703	$1,652	$5,304	$5,058
Adjusted Net Income	$528	$547	$1,768	$1,746
Adjusted Earnings Per Share	$0.43	$0.45	$1.45	$1.43
Available Funds from Operations	$1,286	$1,230	$4,043	$3,890
Dividend Coverage Ratio	2.22x	2.26x	2.33x	2.38x

Other
Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA at Quarter End (2)	3.75x	3.45x
Capital Investments (Excluding Acquisitions) (3) (4)	$720	$805	$1,946	$2,045

(1) Schedules reconciling Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EBITDA, Available Funds from Operations and Dividend Coverage Ratio (non-GAAP measures) to the most comparable GAAP measure are available at www.williams.com and as an attachment to this news release.
(2) Does not represent leverage ratios measured for WMB credit agreement compliance or leverage ratios as calculated by the major credit ratings agencies. Debt is net of cash on hand, and Adjusted EBITDA reflects the sum of the last four quarters.
(3) Capital Investments include increases to property, plant, and equipment (growth & maintenance capital), purchases of and contributions to equity-method investments and purchases of other long-term investments.
(4) Third-quarter and year-to-date 2024 capital excludes $151 million for the consolidation of our Discovery JV, which closed in August 2024. Year-to-date 2024 capital also excludes $1.844 billion for the acquisition of the Gulf Coast storage assets, which closed January 2024. Third-quarter and year-to-date 2023 capital excludes ($29) million and $1.024 billion, respectively, for the acquisition of MountainWest Pipeline Holding Company, which closed February 2023.

GAAP Measures

Third-quarter 2024 net income increased by $51 million compared to the prior year reflecting $141 million of higher service revenues driven by acquisitions and expansion projects, partially offset by higher net interest expense from recent debt issuances and retirements, higher operating costs, depreciation and interest expense resulting from recent acquisitions, and lower net realized product sales from upstream operations. Third-quarter 2024 gains of $149 million from the sale of our interests in Aux Sable and $127 million associated with the Discovery Acquisition were partially offset by the absence of a $130 million gain on the sale of the Bayou Ethane system in 2023. The tax provision changed unfavorably primarily due to higher pretax income and the absence of a $25 million benefit in 2023 associated with a decrease in our estimated deferred state income tax rate.

Year-to-date 2024 net income decreased by $390 million compared to the prior year reflecting an unfavorable change of $643 million in net unrealized gains/losses on commodity derivatives, higher net interest expense from recent debt issuances and retirements, lower realized hedge gains in the West, and higher operating costs, depreciation and interest expense resulting from recent acquisitions. These unfavorable changes were partially offset by a $441 million increase in service revenues driven by acquisitions and expansion projects, and the net favorable change of $146 million from the previously discussed Aux Sable, Discovery, and Bayou Ethane transactions. The tax provision decreased primarily due to lower pretax income.

Third-quarter 2024 cash flow from operations was generally consistent with the prior year, while year-to-date 2024 decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to unfavorable net changes in both working capital and derivative collateral requirements, partially offset by higher operating results exclusive of non-cash items.

Non-GAAP Measures

Third-quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDA increased by $51 million over the prior year, driven by the previously described favorable net contributions from acquisitions and expansion projects. Year-to-date 2024 Adjusted EBITDA increased by $246 million over the prior year, similarly reflecting favorable net contributions from acquisitions and expansion projects, partially offset by lower realized hedge gains in the West.

Third-quarter 2024 Adjusted Net Income declined by $19 million over the prior year, while year-to-date 2024 Adjusted Net Income increased $22 million over the prior year, both driven by the previously described impacts to net income, adjusted primarily to remove the effects of the gains associated with Bayou Ethane, Discovery, and Aux Sable, net unrealized gains/losses on commodity derivatives, acquisition-related costs, and the related income tax effects.

Third-quarter and year-to-date Available Funds From Operations (AFFO) increased by $56 million and $153 million, respectively, compared to the prior year primarily due to higher results from continuing operations exclusive of non-cash items.

Business Segment Results & Form 10-Q

Williams’ operations are comprised of the following reportable segments: Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, West and Gas & NGL Marketing Services, as well as Other. For more information, see the company’s third-quarter 2024 Form 10-Q.

	Third Quarter								Year to Date
Amounts in millions	Modified EBITDA				Adjusted EBITDA				Modified EBITDA					Adjusted EBITDA
Amounts in millions	3Q 2024	3Q 2023	Change		3Q 2024	3Q 2023	Change		2024		2023	Change		2024	2023	Change
Transmission & Gulf of Mexico	$811	$881	($70	)	$830	$754	$76		$2,448		$2,327	$121		$2,481	$2,230	$251
Northeast G&P	476	454	22		484	485	(1	)	1,461		1,439	22		1,467	1,470	(3	)
West	323	315	8		330	315	15		968		931	37		977	913	64
Gas & NGL Marketing Services	11	43	(32	)	4	16	(12	)	(14	)	678	(692	)	179	231	(52	)
Other	58	81	(23	)	55	82	(27	)	181		196	(15	)	200	214	(14	)
Total	$1,679	$1,774	($95	)	$1,703	$1,652	$51		$5,044		$5,571	($527	)	$5,304	$5,058	$246

Note: Williams uses Modified EBITDA for its segment reporting. Definitions of Modified EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and schedules reconciling to net income are included in this news release.

Transmission & Gulf of Mexico

Third-quarter 2024 Modified EBITDA declined compared to the prior year driven by the absence of the previously mentioned gain on the sale of the Bayou Ethane system, as well as hurricane impacts, partially offset by favorable net contributions from the Gulf Coast Storage acquisition and the Regional Energy Access expansion project. Year-to-date 2024 Modified EBITDA improved as the favorable net contributions from acquisitions, including MountainWest, and transmission expansions, along with lower one-time acquisition and transition costs, more than offset the absence of the Bayou Ethane gain and the absence of earnings from the Bayou Ethane system. Third-quarter and year-to-date Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes the Bayou Ethane gain and acquisition and transition costs, improved compared to the prior year.

Northeast G&P

Third-quarter and year-to-date 2024 Modified EBITDA increased compared to the prior year driven by higher rates at Susquehanna Supply Hub and Bradford, partially offset by lower gathering volumes. The improved Modified EBITDA for both periods also reflects the absence of our share of a loss contingency accrual at Aux Sable in 2023, which is excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.

West

Third-quarter 2024 Modified and Adjusted EBITDA increased compared to the prior year benefiting from the DJ Basin Acquisitions, partially offset by lower gathering volumes and lower realized gains on natural gas hedges. Both metrics also improved for the year-to-date period reflecting similar drivers, as well as improved commodity margins reflecting favorable changes in shrink prices related to the absence of a short-term gas price spike at Opal in 2023. The year-to-date Modified EBITDA was also impacted by the absence of a first-quarter 2023 favorable contract settlement, which is excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.

Gas & NGL Marketing Services

Third-quarter 2024 Modified EBITDA decreased from the prior year reflecting lower NGL marketing margins and a $14 million net unfavorable change in unrealized gains/losses on commodity derivatives, which is excluded from Adjusted EBITDA. Year-to-date 2024 Modified EBITDA also decreased from the prior year reflecting a decline in both gas marketing margins and NGL marketing margins, as well as a $642 million net unfavorable change in unrealized gains/losses on commodity derivatives, which is excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.

Other

Third-quarter and year-to-date 2024 Modified and Adjusted EBITDA decreased compared to the prior year driven by lower net realized product sales from upstream operations.

2024 Financial Guidance

The company now expects 2024 Adjusted EBITDA between $7 billion and $7.150 billion, which is an increase to the midpoint of guidance by $125 million. In addition, the company continues to expect 2024 growth capex between $1.45 billion and $1.75 billion and maintenance capex between $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion, which includes capital of $350 million for emissions reduction and modernization initiatives. For 2025, the company continues to expect Adjusted EBITDA between $7.2 billion and $7.6 billion with growth capex between $1.65 billion and $1.95 billion and maintenance capex between $750 million and $850 million, which includes capital of $100 million for emissions reduction and modernization initiatives. Williams anticipates a leverage ratio midpoint for 2024 of 3.80x and an increase in the dividend by 6.1% on an annualized basis to $1.90 in 2024 from $1.79 in 2023.

Williams’ Third-Quarter 2024 Materials to be Posted Shortly; Q&A Webcast Scheduled for Tomorrow

Williams’ third-quarter 2024 earnings presentation will be posted at www.williams.com. The company’s third-quarter 2024 earnings conference call and webcast with analysts and investors is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 7, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time (8:30 a.m. Central Time). Participants who wish to join the call by phone must register using the following link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIf053fa45b660426a89b026a932aec0ae.

A webcast link to the conference call will be provided on Williams’ Investor Relations website. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the website for at least 90 days following the event.

About Williams

Williams (NYSE: WMB) is a trusted energy industry leader committed to safely, reliably, and responsibly meeting growing energy demand. We use our 33,000-mile pipeline infrastructure to move a third of the nation’s natural gas to where it’s needed most, supplying the energy used to heat our homes, cook our food and generate low-carbon electricity. For over a century, we’ve been driven by a passion for doing things the right way. Today, our team of problem solvers is leading the charge into the clean energy future – by powering the global economy while delivering immediate emissions reductions within our natural gas network and investing in new energy technologies. Learn more at www.williams.com.

The Williams Companies, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2024			2023			2024			2023
	(Millions, except per-share amounts)
Revenues:
Service revenues		$	1,911		$	1,770		$	5,653		$	5,212
Service revenues – commodity consideration			34			45			82			108
Product sales			703			720			2,158			2,158
Net gain (loss) from commodity derivatives			5			24			(133	)		645
Total revenues			2,653			2,559			7,760			8,123
Costs and expenses:
Product costs			517			484			1,467			1,458
Net processing commodity expenses			7			31			29			129
Operating and maintenance expenses			580			522			1,613			1,466
Depreciation and amortization expenses			566			521			1,654			1,542
Selling, general, and administrative expenses			170			146			520			483
Gain on sale of business			—			(130	)		—			(130	)
Other (income) expense – net			(25	)		(9	)		(69	)		(49	)
Total costs and expenses			1,815			1,565			5,214			4,899
Operating income (loss)			838			994			2,546			3,224
Equity earnings (losses)			147			127			431			434
Other investing income (loss) – net			290			24			332			45
Interest expense			(338	)		(314	)		(1,026	)		(914	)
Other income (expense) – net			31			30			95			69
Income (loss) before income taxes			968			861			2,378			2,858
Less: Provision (benefit) for income taxes			227			176			549			635
Income (loss) from continuing operations			741			685			1,829			2,223
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			—			(1	)		—			(88	)
Net income (loss)			741			684			1,829			2,135
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			35			30			90			94
Net income (loss) attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc.			706			654			1,739			2,041
Less: Preferred stock dividends			1			1			2			2
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders		$	705		$	653		$	1,737		$	2,039
Amounts attributable to The Williams Companies, Inc. available to common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	705		$	654		$	1,737		$	2,127
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			—			(1	)		—			(88	)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders		$	705		$	653		$	1,737		$	2,039
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	.58		$	.54		$	1.43		$	1.74
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			—			—			—			(.07	)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders		$	.58		$	.54		$	1.43		$	1.67
Weighted-average shares (thousands)			1,219,537			1,216,951			1,219,021			1,218,021
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	.58		$	.54		$	1.42		$	1.74
Income (loss) from discontinued operations			—			—			—			(.07	)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders		$	.58		$	.54		$	1.42		$	1.67
Weighted-average shares (thousands)			1,222,869			1,220,073			1,222,444			1,222,650

The Williams Companies, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
	September 30,			December 31,
		2024			2023
	(Millions, except per-share amounts)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	762		$	2,150
Trade accounts and other receivables (net of allowance of ($4) at September 30, 2024 and($3) at December 31, 2023)		1,310			1,655
Inventories		275			274
Derivative assets		143			239
Other current assets and deferred charges		208			195
Total current assets		2,698			4,513
Investments		4,201			4,637
Property, plant, and equipment		56,479			51,842
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(18,505	)		(17,531	)
Property, plant, and equipment – net		37,974			34,311
Intangible assets – net of accumulated amortization		7,305			7,593
Regulatory assets, deferred charges, and other		1,659			1,573
Total assets	$	53,837		$	52,627

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,137		$	1,379
Derivative liabilities		95			105
Accrued and other current liabilities		1,203			1,284
Commercial paper		—			725
Long-term debt due within one year		2,284			2,337
Total current liabilities		4,719			5,830
Long-term debt		24,825			23,376
Deferred income tax liabilities		4,312			3,846
Regulatory liabilities, deferred income, and other		5,116			4,684
Contingent liabilities and commitments

Equity:
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock ($1 par value; 30 million shares authorized at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 35 thousand shares issued at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023)		35			35
Common stock ($1 par value; 1,470 million shares authorized at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 1,258 million shares issued at September 30, 2024 and 1,256 million shares issued at December 31, 2023)		1,258			1,256
Capital in excess of par value		24,611			24,578
Retained deficit		(12,296	)		(12,287	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		—			—
Treasury stock, at cost (39 million shares at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 of common stock)		(1,180	)		(1,180	)
Total stockholders’ equity		12,428			12,402
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries		2,437			2,489
Total equity		14,865			14,891
Total liabilities and equity	$	53,837		$	52,627

The Williams Companies, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2024			2023
	(Millions)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$	1,829		$	2,135
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,654			1,542
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes		467			586
Equity (earnings) losses		(431	)		(434	)
Distributions from equity-method investees		580			607
Net unrealized (gain) loss from commodity derivative instruments		210			(433	)
Gain on sale of business		—			(130	)
Gain on disposition of equity-method investments		(149	)		—
Gain on consolidation of equity-method investments		(127	)		—
Inventory write-downs		8			28
Amortization of stock-based awards		69			59
Cash provided (used) by changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		367			1,295
Inventories		(6	)		29
Other current assets and deferred charges		(16	)		(5	)
Accounts payable		(317	)		(1,072	)
Accrued and other current liabilities		(108	)		(114	)
Changes in current and noncurrent commodity derivative assets and liabilities		(74	)		172
Other, including changes in noncurrent assets and liabilities		(200	)		(140	)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities		3,756			4,125
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from (payments of) commercial paper – net		(723	)		(352	)
Proceeds from long-term debt		3,594			2,754
Payments of long-term debt		(2,286	)		(21	)
Payments for debt issuance costs		(31	)		(21	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		8			8
Purchases of treasury stock		—			(130	)
Common dividends paid		(1,737	)		(1,635	)
Dividends and distributions paid to noncontrolling interests		(178	)		(174	)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests		36			18
Other – net		(34	)		(19	)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities		(1,351	)		428
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Property, plant, and equipment:
Capital expenditures (1)		(1,805	)		(1,845	)
Dispositions – net		(73	)		(33	)
Proceeds from sale of business		—			348
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired		(1,995	)		(1,024	)
Proceeds from dispositions of equity-method investments		161			—
Purchases of and contributions to equity-method investments		(101	)		(80	)
Other – net		20			3
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		(3,793	)		(2,631	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(1,388	)		1,922
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		2,150			152
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	762		$	2,074

(1) Increases to property, plant, and equipment	$	(1,840	)	$	(1,960	)
Changes in related accounts payable and accrued liabilities		35			115
Capital expenditures	$	(1,805	)	$	(1,845	)