What key operational metrics (e.g., NGL volumes, utilization rates, fee revenue) will be highlighted in the interview?
The interview will zeroâin on the partnershipâs core operating drivers that underpin its Q2 results and set the tone for the rest of 2025.âŻExpect the CFO and SVPâCommercial to spotlight three headline metrics:
NGL (naturalâgasâliquid) volumes â the amount of NGLs processed and shipped in the quarter, including any growth from new tieâins or the recentlyâopened âMidâSouthâ terminal. A lift in NGL throughput is the primary lever for both cashâflow and earningsâperâshare, so the team will break out the volume versus the prior quarter and the 2024â2025 guidance range.
Pipeline and terminal utilization rates â the percentage of available capacity that was actually used at the partnershipâs major pipelines and storage assets. Utilization is a leading indicator of margin expansion; higher rates translate into better feeâperâbarrel economics and a stronger âtakeâorâpayâ profile. The interview will likely compare current utilization to the historic 80â85âŻ% benchmark and flag any upside from the new 2025 expansion projects.
Feeârevenue growth â the net fee revenue generated from transportation, processing, and marketing contracts, net of commodityâprice adjustments. Because Western Midstreamâs model is feeâdriven rather than commodityâexposed, the CFO will walk investors through the YoY % increase, the contribution of new longâterm contracts, and the impact of inflationâlinked fee escalators that were built into the 2024â2025 tariff schedule.
Trading implication: If the partnership reports NGL volumes and utilization that comfortably exceed the 2024â25 guidance, and fee revenue shows a doubleâdigit YoY lift, the market will likely reward the stock with a bullish breakout on the 20âday moving average (currently near $30). Conversely, any shortfall in these metricsâespecially a utilization dip below 75âŻ%âcould trigger a pullâback toward the 50âday moving average. Positionâsize accordingly, with a bias toward buying on any upsideârevisions to the utilization or volume outlook, while keeping a stop just below the recent lowâvolume support level.