Williams Reaffirms Earnings Guidance

Rhea-AI Summary

Williams (NYSE: WMB) projects its full-year Adjusted EBITDA to be near the high end of its guidance range, estimated between $6.1 and $6.4 billion. The company attributes this forecast to strong expected performance in the third and fourth quarters, despite market volatility. CEO Alan Armstrong emphasized the resilience of Williams’ strategy in the natural gas sector, stating it remains well-positioned amid economic uncertainties like inflation and potential recession.

Positive

• Full-year Adjusted EBITDA expected near high end of guidance ($6.1 - $6.4 billion).
• Strong performance expected in Q3 and Q4.
• Resilient business strategy amid economic uncertainties.

Negative

• None.

TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Williams (NYSE: WMB) today announced that based on expected strong third-quarter performance and expectations for the fourth quarter, and despite recent market weakness, the company anticipates its full-year Adjusted EBITDA will be near the high end of its previously announced guidance range of $6.1 to $6.4 billion.

“At Williams, we continue to execute on our natural gas focused strategy, which is delivering in the current environment and will continue to deliver substantial growth for the long-term,” said Alan Armstrong, president and CEO. “We have built a business that is steady, predictable and durable through market cycles. As with prior volatile markets, Williams’ performance remains resilient and is well positioned to thrive through the current macro-economic risks including inflation, higher interest rates and a potential recession.”

On August 1, 2022, Williams raised the Adjusted EBITDA guidance for the second time since its original issuance in February 2022, driven by strong base business performance, increased volume outlook for upstream joint ventures and the benefit of higher commodity prices. Further information regarding the Adjusted EBITDA guidance range follows.

Non-GAAP Measures

This news release refers to Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure as defined under the rules of the SEC. Our segment performance measure, modified EBITDA, is defined as net income (loss) before income (loss) from discontinued operations, income tax expense, net interest expense, equity earnings from equity-method investments, other net investing income, impairments of equity investments and goodwill, depreciation and amortization expense, and accretion expense associated with asset retirement obligations for nonregulated operations. We also add our proportional ownership share (based on ownership interest) of modified EBITDA of equity-method investments.

Adjusted EBITDA further excludes items of income or loss that we characterize as unrepresentative of our ongoing operations. Management believes this measure provides investors meaningful insight into results from ongoing operations.

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Modified EBITDA and Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA
		2022 Guidance
(Dollars in millions)		Low			Mid				High
Net income (loss)		$	1,754		$	1,854			$	1,954
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			400			450				500
Interest expense						1,145
Equity (earnings) losses						(610	)
Proportional Modified EBITDA of equity-method investments						960
Depreciation and amortization expenses and accretion for asset retirement obligations associated with nonregulated operations						2,075
Other						9
Modified EBITDA		$	5,733		$	5,883			$	6,033
EBITDA Adjustments						367
Adjusted EBITDA		$	6,100		$	6,250			$	6,400

Forward-Looking Statements

The reports, filings, and other public announcements of The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams) may contain or incorporate by reference statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). These forward-looking statements relate to anticipated financial performance, management’s plans and objectives for future operations, business prospects, outcome of regulatory proceedings, market conditions, and other matters. We make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events, or developments that we expect, believe, or anticipate will exist or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by various forms of words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “continues,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “might,” “goals,” “objectives,” “targets,” “planned,” “potential,” “projects,” “scheduled,” “will,” “assumes,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “in-service date,” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management and include, among others, statements regarding our earnings guidance and expected third and fourth quarter results.

Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, uncertainties, and risks that could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this release. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

• Availability of supplies, market demand, and volatility of prices;
• Development and rate of adoption of alternative energy sources;
• The impact of existing and future laws and regulations, the regulatory environment, environmental matters, and litigation, as well as our ability to obtain necessary permits and approvals, and achieve favorable rate proceeding outcomes;
• Our exposure to the credit risk of our customers and counterparties;
• Our ability to acquire new businesses and assets and successfully integrate those operations and assets into existing businesses as well as successfully expand our facilities, and to consummate asset sales on acceptable terms;
• Whether we are able to successfully identify, evaluate, and timely execute our capital projects and investment opportunities;
• The strength and financial resources of our competitors and the effects of competition;
• The amount of cash distributions from and capital requirements of our investments and joint ventures in which we participate;
• Whether we will be able to effectively execute our financing plan;
• Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from stakeholders with respect to our environmental, social, and governance practices;
• The physical and financial risks associated with climate change;
• The impacts of operational and developmental hazards and unforeseen interruptions;
• The risks resulting from outbreaks or other public health crises, including COVID-19;
• Risks associated with weather and natural phenomena, including climate conditions and physical damage to our facilities;
• Acts of terrorism, cybersecurity incidents, and related disruptions;
• Our costs and funding obligations for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans;
• Changes in maintenance and construction costs, as well as our ability to obtain sufficient construction-related inputs, including skilled labor;
• Inflation, interest rates, and general economic conditions (including future disruptions and volatility in the global credit markets and the impact of these events on customers and suppliers);
• Risks related to financing, including restrictions stemming from debt agreements, future changes in credit ratings as determined by nationally recognized credit rating agencies, and the availability and cost of capital;
• The ability of the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil exporting nations to agree to and maintain oil price and production controls and the impact on domestic production;
• Changes in the current geopolitical situation, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine;
• Changes in U.S. governmental administration and policies;
• Whether we are able to pay current and expected levels of dividends;
• Additional risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Given the uncertainties and risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, we caution investors not to unduly rely on our forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligations to and do not intend to update the above list or announce publicly the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.

In addition to causing our actual results to differ, the factors listed above and referred to below may cause our intentions to change from those statements of intention set forth in this release. Such changes in our intentions may also cause our results to differ. We may change our intentions, at any time and without notice, based upon changes in such factors, our assumptions, or otherwise.

Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, we caution that there are important factors, in addition to those listed above, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. For a detailed discussion of those factors, see (a) Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022, and (b) Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

About Williams

As the world demands reliable, low-cost, low-carbon energy, Williams (NYSE: WMB) will be there with the best transport, storage and delivery solutions to reliably fuel the clean energy economy. Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Williams is an industry-leading, investment grade C-Corp with operations across the natural gas value chain including gathering, processing, interstate transportation, storage, wholesale marketing and trading of natural gas and natural gas liquids. With major positions in top U.S. supply basins, Williams connects the best supplies with the growing demand for clean energy. Williams owns and operates more than 30,000 miles of pipelines system wide – including Transco, the nation’s largest volume and fastest growing pipeline – and handles approximately 30 percent of the natural gas in the United States that is used every day for clean-power generation, heating and industrial use. Learn how the company is leveraging its nationwide footprint to incorporate clean hydrogen, next generation gas and other innovations at www.williams.com.

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MEDIA:

media@williams.com

(800) 945-8723



INVESTOR CONTACT:

Danilo Juvane

(918) 573-5075



Grace Scott

(918) 573-1092

Source: Williams

FAQ

What is the expected Adjusted EBITDA for Williams in 2022?

Williams anticipates its full-year Adjusted EBITDA to be near the high end of the $6.1 to $6.4 billion range.

How does Williams plan to perform in the third and fourth quarters?

Williams expects strong performance in both Q3 and Q4, contributing to its optimistic Adjusted EBITDA outlook.

What challenges is Williams facing in the current market?

Williams acknowledges potential challenges such as inflation, higher interest rates, and risks of recession.