Press Release
TULSA, Okla.-May 6, 2024– Williams (NYSE: WMB) today announced its unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Business continues to outperform; solid execution on accretive acquisitions and organic growth driving immediate returns
Recent acquisitions and large roster of projects in execution building long-term value
CEO Perspective
Alan Armstrong, president and chief executive officer, made the following comments:
“Our 8 percent higher Adjusted EBITDA was driven by the continued outperformance of our transmission, storage and gathering businesses, which delivered 13 percent higher Adjusted EBITDA compared to the same period last year. Contracted transmission capacity achieved another record in the first quarter and our Transco projects recently placed into service contributed additional fee-based revenues, as did our immediately accretive acquisitions, including the Gulf Coast storage portfolio that we closed in the quarter.
“Crisp execution by our teams in both integrating newly acquired assets and building large-scale organic projects has us on track to be in the top half of our original 2024 guidance range. As our natural gas-focused strategy continues to gain momentum, we are successfully executing a full slate of high return growth projects, with new regulatory milestones reached on seven of our FERC-regulated expansion projects so far this year and progressing on a healthy backlog of expansion opportunities to serve accelerating demand for natural gas.
Armstrong added, “Our track record of generating predictable, growing earnings in all market cycles underscores the value of Williams as a resilient, long-term investment with a strong dividend. We’ve built a business positioned for the future, and we’re leveraging our existing infrastructure and project development capabilities to serve rising domestic and global security needs, while lowering emissions and creating sustainable value for our shareholders.”
Williams Summary Financial Information |
1Q |
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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 |
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GAAP Measures |
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Net Income |
$ |
631 |
$ |
926 |
Net Income Per Share |
$ |
0.52 |
$ |
0.76 |
Cash Flow From Operations |
$ |
1,234 |
$ |
1,514 |
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Non-GAAP Measures (1) |
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Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
1,934 |
$ |
1,795 |
Adjusted Net Income |
$ |
719 |
$ |
684 |
Adjusted Earnings Per Share |
$ |
0.59 |
$ |
0.56 |
Available Funds from Operations |
$ |
1,507 |
$ |
1,445 |
Dividend Coverage Ratio |
2.60x |
2.65x |
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Other |
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Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA at Quarter End (2) |
3.79x |
3.57x |
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Capital Investments (Excluding Acquisitions) (3) (4) |
$ |
563 |
$ |
525 |
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(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. |
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(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. |
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(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. |
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(4) First-quarter 2024 capital excludes $1.851 billion for the acquisition of the Gulf Coast Storage assets, which closed in January 2024. First-quarter 2023 capital excludes $1.056 billion for the acquisition of MountainWest, which closed in February 2023. |
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GAAP Measures
First-quarter 2024 net income decreased by $295 million compared to the prior year reflecting an unfavorable change of $419 million in net unrealized gains/losses on commodity derivatives, higher net interest expense from recent debt issuances and retirements, as well as higher operating costs, depreciation and interest expense resulting from recent acquisitions. These unfavorable changes were partially offset by a $211 million increase in service revenues driven by acquisitions and expansion projects. The tax provision decreased primarily due to lower pretax income.
First-quarter 2024 cash flow from operations decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to unfavorable net changes in both working capital and derivative collateral requirements.
Non-GAAP Measures
First-quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDA increased by $139 million over the prior year, driven by the previously described favorable net contributions from acquisitions and expansion projects.
First-quarter 2024 Adjusted Net Income improved by $35 million over the prior year, driven by the previously described impacts to net income, adjusted primarily to remove the effects of net unrealized gains/losses on commodity derivatives and the related income tax effects.
First-quarter Available Funds From Operations (AFFO) increased by $62 million compared to the prior year primarily due to the change in operating results 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 first-quarter 2024 Form 10-Q.
IBF4