Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG) AI Stock Analysis
LNG AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchCheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG) is a major US liquefied natural gas infrastructure operator with an enterprise value of $81.97B. In FY2025, revenue rose 24.4% to $19.63B, producing $5.33B in net income. The company carries substantial leverage, with $26.56B in total debt as of June 30, 2026.
- Market cap
- $59.78B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $20.92B
- P/E
- 21.9x fwd 13.5x
- 1Y return
- 32.8% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $312.95 8.1% vs last close
Bull case
- Quarterly earnings grew 100.7% year-over-year in the quarter ended June 30, 2026, alongside 22.7% quarterly revenue growth.
- Analyst consensus projects FY2026 EPS of $23.16, representing estimated annual earnings growth of 115.8%.
- Cheniere reduced its share count by 17.4% over five years, supported by $2.72B in share buybacks during FY2025.
Bear case
- Total debt stood at $26.56B as of June 30, 2026, leading to an elevated debt-to-equity ratio of 4.29.
- Consensus estimates from 6 analysts anticipate next fiscal year EPS will decline 10.2% to $20.80.
- The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 21.9x and EV/EBITDA of 10.4x, both above the US-listed Energy peer group medians of 15.0x and 8.0x.
What Cheniere Energy does
Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Cheniere Energy, Inc. is an energy infrastructure company focused on liquefied natural gas (LNG) activities across the United States. Its core assets include the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas, which serve as hubs for LNG import, export, and domestic distribution. The company also manages the 94-mile Creole Trail pipeline connecting Sabine Pass to interstate pipelines, and the 21.5-mile Corpus Christi pipeline supplying its Texas terminal, supporting transportation, distribution, and natural gas marketing.
Growth and profitability
Over a five-year period from FY2020 to FY2025, Cheniere achieved a revenue compound annual growth rate of 15.9%. Annual revenue swung from $33.76B in FY2022 to $15.78B in FY2024 before rising 24.4% to $19.63B in FY2025. Net income reached $5.33B in FY2025, representing a net margin of 27.1%, while diluted EPS stood at $16.52. For the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $20.92B with an operating margin of 75.0% and diluted EPS of $13.21. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 22.7% year-over-year, and quarterly earnings grew 100.7% year-over-year.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Cheniere held $1.52B in cash and short-term investments against $26.56B in total debt, resulting in net debt of $25.04B and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.29. Its current ratio was 0.87 against total assets of $47.97B. In FY2025, the company generated $5.54B in operating cash flow and $2.46B in free cash flow. Capital allocation in FY2025 included capital expenditures of $3.08B, share buybacks of $2.72B, and dividends paid of $451.0M, contributing to a 17.4% reduction in share count over five years.
Valuation and performance
At a last close of $289.43, Cheniere trades at a trailing P/E of 21.9x and a forward P/E of 13.5x, compared to medians of 15.0x and 12.7x for its US-listed Energy peers. Its enterprise value to EBITDA ratio is 10.4x, above the peer group median of 8.0x, while its price-to-sales ratio is 2.9x compared to the peer median of 1.8x. Over the past year, the stock returned 32.8% compared to 16.8% for the S&P 500 (SPY). Over five years, Cheniere returned 175.3% versus 83.0% for the index.
LNG dividend
Cheniere pays a quarterly dividend with an annual forward payout of $2.22 per share, representing a dividend yield of 0.77% as of October 16, 2026. The company maintains a payout ratio of 12.5% and has paid dividends for 6 consecutive years, with its last ex-dividend date on August 10, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage consists of 15 Strong Buy, 5 Buy, and 2 Hold ratings, with zero Sell or StrongSell recommendations. The mean price target is $312.95, which is 8.1% above the last close of $289.43. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project EPS of $23.16 on revenue of $22.64B. Over the last four quarters, Cheniere beat EPS estimates 2 times. The company's next earnings report is scheduled for October 29, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- A current ratio of 0.87 as of June 30, 2026, indicates short-term obligations exceed liquid assets.
- Annual revenue has demonstrated historical volatility, falling by 39.9% in FY2023 and 22.2% in FY2024 before expanding in FY2025.
- Net debt of $25.04B requires ongoing cash flow generation to service obligations and support capital expenditures, which were $3.08B in FY2025.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this LNG AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: LNG income statement, LNG balance sheet, LNG key metrics, LNG analyst forecast, LNG chart. See the LNG stock overview for the latest quote and news.
LNG AI stock analysis FAQ
What is Cheniere Energy's dividend yield and payout?
Cheniere pays an annual forward dividend of $2.22 per share, yielding 0.77% with a payout ratio of 12.5% as of October 16, 2026.
When does Cheniere Energy report earnings next?
The company's next earnings report is scheduled for October 29, 2026.
How much debt does Cheniere Energy carry?
As of June 30, 2026, Cheniere held $26.56B in total debt and $1.52B in cash and short-term investments, resulting in net debt of $25.04B.
What is Wall Street's price target for LNG stock?
The mean analyst price target is $312.95, representing an 8.1% premium over the last closing price of $289.43.