Why Oneok Fell Today
The Motley Fool
by newsfeedback@fool.com (Billy Duberstein)February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Shares of natural gas-focused midstream company Oneok (NYSE: OKE) dropped sharply on Tuesday after releasing its fourth-quarter earnings report. While the company exceeded Wall Street’s expectations for the quarter, investors were left underwhelmed by its 2026 guidance, which was described as “tepid.” This mixed performance caused the stock to fall as much as 7% in intraday trading before settling at a 4.9% decline by 3:09 p.m. EDT.
Oneok reported revenue of $9.07 billion and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.55 for the fourth quarter, both of which beat analyst forecasts. The company’s adjusted EPS had declined slightly year-over-year due to adverse winter weather that disrupted operations last year. Despite this dip, the figures exceeded expectations, showcasing Oneok’s operational resilience.
However, the main concern among investors appeared to be the 2026 guidance provided during the earnings call. While the company did not explicitly detail its projections, market participants interpreted the outlook as less robust than anticipated. This suggests that while Oneok performed well in the near term, its longer-term growth prospects may have raised questions among stakeholders.
For finance and investing readers, this situation highlights the importance of balancing short-term performance with long-term expectations when evaluating a company’s stock price. Oneok’s earnings beat was positive news for investors focused on current performance, but the tepid guidance underscored potential risks or uncertainties that could impact future returns.
This story also underscores how investor sentiment can be swayed by factors beyond immediate financial results, particularly when it comes to forward-looking projections. For those tracking the midstream energy sector, Oneok’s mixed bag of results serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between current performance and future growth plans in shaping stock prices.
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Originally published on The Motley Fool on 2/24/2026