Kinder Morgan shares jumped 2.8% after the energy infrastructure giant delivered better-than-expected fourth-quarter results. The company posted adjusted earnings per share of $0.39, beating analyst estimates of $0.36, while revenue hit $4.51 billion, surpassing the $4.32 billion consensus forecast. The strong quarter capped a year of record annual net income and adjusted EBITDA for the firm.

Record performance in its Natural Gas Pipelines segment drove the beat, with transport volumes up 9% and gathering volumes surging 19%. CEO Kim Dang credited the division for delivering the company's highest ever quarterly and annual net income. The firm also generated $1.7 billion in operating cash flow and $0.9 billion in free cash flow after capital expenditures, both up double-digits from the prior year.

Looking ahead, Kinder Morgan expects 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.36, a 5% increase, and plans a 2% dividend hike to $1.19 per share. Executive Chairman Richard D. Kinder emphasized the company's role in U.S. LNG exports, noting it delivers over 40% of feedstock to domestic facilities. The firm ended the quarter with a healthy net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio of 3.8 times.