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Cheniere Energy (LNG)
NYSE:LNG

Cheniere Energy (LNG) AI Stock Analysis

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Cheniere Energy

(NYSE:LNG)

76Outperform
Cheniere Energy's stock score of 76 reflects strong financial performance and positive technical indicators, despite some caution due to market volatility and geopolitical risks. The company's strategic initiatives and robust cash flow generation are key strengths. Valuation is fair, with a reasonable P/E ratio and modest dividend yield. Positive earnings guidance and recent corporate events further reinforce the stock's attractiveness.
Positive Factors
Permitting Strategy
Aggressive permitting strategy will optimize flexibility on growth, allowing Cheniere to pursue more targeted expansions and maximize project accretion.
Production Growth
LNG has a highly visible path to increased production, reaching ~80mtpa by the future fiscal year.
Share Buybacks
LNG's 13% pullback is seen as a buying opportunity given its limited exposure to spot commodity prices and ability to buy back shares.
Negative Factors
Buyback Limitations
The stock price after 3Q earnings was consistently higher than where it traded prior to earnings, which could limit 4Q buyback activity beyond the implied $218MM repurchased qtd at the time of 3Q earnings.
Market Underperformance
LNG has been a significant underperformer compared to gas-levered Midstream 'C-corps' due to lack of exposure to domestic data center demand and absence of earnings catalysts for FY24.
Tariffs Impact
The introduction of tariffs from the US and potential retaliatory tariffs has weighed on energy equities.

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Cheniere Energy Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCheniere Energy, Inc. is a leading energy company primarily engaged in liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Cheniere is a prominent player in the LNG sector, focusing on the development, construction, and operation of LNG terminals. The company is known for its large-scale LNG export facilities, including the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal in Texas, which are among the first of their kind in the United States. Cheniere's operations enable it to supply LNG to a diverse range of international markets, providing a crucial link in the global energy supply chain.
How the Company Makes MoneyCheniere Energy generates revenue primarily through the production and sale of liquefied natural gas. The company's revenue model is centered around long-term contracts with customers worldwide, which include utility companies and energy traders. These contracts typically have take-or-pay clauses, ensuring a steady revenue stream regardless of fluctuations in demand. Additionally, Cheniere earns money through spot market sales and short-term contracts, which allow it to capitalize on favorable market conditions. The company's strategic location of its terminals enables it to efficiently access both Atlantic and Pacific markets, enhancing its competitive position. Key partnerships and agreements with major energy companies further bolster Cheniere's earnings by facilitating access to global markets and ensuring a reliable supply of natural gas for liquefaction.

Cheniere Energy Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Cheniere Energy exhibits strong financial performance with improving profitability and cash flow metrics. The Income Statement shows strong profitability with improved net profit margins and strategic cost management. The Balance Sheet indicates improved financial health with a better debt-to-equity ratio; however, it remains leveraged. Cash Flow is robust, with consistent free cash flow generation and strong operational cash management. Continued focus on debt management and revenue growth will be key.
Income Statement
Cheniere Energy has demonstrated strong profitability with a significant improvement in net profit margin from past losses to substantial profits. The gross profit margin in the recent year is robust due to strategic cost management. However, the revenue growth rate has seen some decline, indicating potential market challenges or saturation in some segments.
Balance Sheet
70
The company's debt-to-equity ratio has improved as equity becomes positive, though it remains leveraged. The return on equity has shown improvement as the company turned profitable, but historical equity deficits highlight past financial instability. The equity ratio improvement suggests better financial health, though vigilance is needed to manage liabilities.
Cash Flow
Cheniere Energy has a strong cash flow position with consistent free cash flow generation and a solid operating cash flow to net income ratio, indicating efficient cash management. The company has shown good control over capital expenditures, enhancing its cash flow stability.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
15.70B20.39B33.43B15.86B9.36B
Gross Profit
6.61B16.01B5.00B-364.00M2.94B
EBIT
6.13B15.49B4.56B-701.00M2.63B
EBITDA
7.53B16.91B5.62B171.00M3.57B
Net Income Common Stockholders
3.25B9.88B1.43B-2.34B-85.00M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
2.64B4.07B1.35B1.40B1.63B
Total Assets
43.86B43.08B41.27B39.26B35.70B
Total Debt
25.59B26.79B27.95B31.95B31.66B
Net Debt
22.95B22.72B26.60B30.55B30.03B
Total Liabilities
33.80B34.06B41.44B39.29B33.48B
Stockholders Equity
5.70B5.06B-2.97B-2.57B-191.00M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
5.39B6.30B8.69B1.50B-574.00M
Operating Cash Flow
5.39B8.42B10.52B2.47B1.26B
Investing Cash Flow
-2.28B-2.20B-1.84B-912.00M-1.95B
Financing Cash Flow
-4.45B-4.18B-8.01B-1.82B-235.00M

Cheniere Energy Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price238.76
Price Trends
50DMA
224.46
Positive
100DMA
223.21
Positive
200DMA
206.54
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
3.81
Negative
RSI
59.50
Neutral
STOCH
80.03
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For LNG, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 238.76 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 229.34, above the 50-day MA of 224.46, and above the 200-day MA of 206.54, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 3.81 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 59.50 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 80.03 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for LNG.

Cheniere Energy Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (56)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
LNLNG
76
Outperform
$52.24B16.5960.45%0.80%-22.22%-64.97%
ETET
76
Outperform
$54.25B12.6113.53%8.13%1.04%22.31%
KMKMI
73
Outperform
$60.46B23.238.43%4.24%2.02%5.40%
WMWMB
71
Outperform
$71.67B32.2818.32%3.28%8.63%-20.98%
EPEPD
70
Outperform
$64.86B11.2720.78%7.08%9.03%
CQCQP
61
Neutral
$28.70B13.95117.38%5.48%-9.93%-50.50%
56
Neutral
$6.93B3.23-4.86%5.94%0.12%-48.32%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
LNG
Cheniere Energy
238.76
83.19
53.47%
CQP
Cheniere Energy Partners
58.76
11.45
24.20%
ET
Energy Transfer
16.89
1.81
12.00%
EPD
Enterprise Products Partners
30.32
3.83
14.46%
KMI
Kinder Morgan
27.62
9.66
53.79%
WMB
Williams Co
58.94
21.15
55.97%

Cheniere Energy Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 08, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 9.12%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 31, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
Cheniere Energy's Q1 2025 earnings call highlighted strong operational and financial performance, significant project progress, and robust capital allocation strategies. However, these positive aspects were balanced by market volatility, pricing pressures, and challenges in key regions like Europe and China.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record LNG Export and Operational Milestone
Cheniere safely produced and exported its 4,000th cargo of LNG, becoming the fastest company to achieve this milestone in just over nine years.
Strong Financial Performance
Cheniere generated consolidated adjusted EBITDA of approximately $1.9 billion, distributable cash flow of approximately $1.3 billion, and net income of approximately $350 million in Q1 2025.
Corpus Christi Stage 3 Progress
Substantial completion of the first train of the Corpus Christi Stage 3 project was achieved ahead of schedule and within budget, with overall project completion at 82.5%.
FERC Permit for Midscale Trains 8 and 9
Cheniere received a FERC permit for mid-scale Trains 8 and 9, a key step ahead of an expected FID later this year.
Robust Capital Allocation
Cheniere deployed over $1.3 billion towards shareholder returns, balance sheet management, and disciplined growth, with approximately $15 billion of the $20 billion target by 2026 already allocated.
Negative Updates
Market Volatility and LNG Pricing Pressure
Spot prices for LNG dropped sharply after reaching 15-month highs in early February, with TTF and JKM currently trading below $12 per MMBtu due to various market dynamics.
European Vulnerability
Europe's LNG imports rose due to cooler winter temperatures, but storage levels are at multi-year lows, and natural gas flows from Russia to Ukraine have ceased.
China LNG Demand Decline
LNG imports into China declined 25% year-on-year, influenced by stronger domestic natural gas production and increased pipeline gas imports.
Company Guidance
During Cheniere Energy's first quarter 2025 earnings call, the company reported strong financial performance, with consolidated adjusted EBITDA of approximately $1.9 billion, distributable cash flow of about $1.3 billion, and net income of around $350 million. The company reaffirmed its full-year 2025 guidance, projecting consolidated adjusted EBITDA between $6.5 billion and $7 billion and distributable cash flow ranging from $4.1 billion to $4.6 billion. Cheniere highlighted significant operational milestones, including the substantial completion of Train 1 of the Corpus Christi Stage 3 project ahead of schedule and within budget, with overall project completion at 82.5%. The company also indicated progress towards the final investment decision (FID) for midscale Trains 8 and 9, anticipating an addition of up to 5 million tons of volume to its platform. Despite facing geopolitical and market volatility, Cheniere emphasized its strategic focus on maintaining operational excellence and delivering on its commitments to customers and stakeholders.

Cheniere Energy Corporate Events

Dividends
Cheniere Energy Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
Positive
Apr 29, 2025

On April 29, 2025, Cheniere Energy, Inc. declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.500 per share, payable on May 19, 2025, to shareholders of record as of May 9, 2025. This announcement reflects Cheniere’s ongoing commitment to returning value to its shareholders and may enhance its attractiveness to investors, potentially impacting its market positioning positively.

Spark’s Take on LNG Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, LNG is a Outperform.

Cheniere Energy’s strong financial performance, solid technical indicators, and reasonable valuation contribute to a robust stock score. The company’s efficient cash management and strategic growth initiatives are strengths, while geopolitical tensions and market volatility are key risks.

To see Spark’s full report on LNG stock, click here.

Executive/Board Changes
Cheniere Energy Appoints Matthew Runkle to Board
Neutral
Apr 2, 2025

On April 1, 2025, Matthew Runkle was appointed to the Board of Directors of Cheniere Energy, Inc., following a right granted to CQP Holdco LP in an agreement from 2012. Concurrently, Scott Peak resigned from the Board. This change in the board composition could influence the company’s strategic direction and stakeholder interests.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.