Kinder Morgan Inc. is one of the largest natural gas transmission and storage companies in North America. After going private in May 2007, it went public again in February 2011 via a $3.3 billion initial public offering. Following a late 2014 consolidation of its former operating entities, Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, Kinder Morgan Management, and El Paso Pipeline Partners LP, the newly consolidated company no longer has a master limited partnership structure, under which the former limited partners paid incentive distribution rights to KMI as their general partner. Through its various operating businesses, KMI operates a diverse set of assets, including 79,000 miles of pipelines and 180 terminals. Its pipelines transport natural gas, refined petroleum products, crude oil, carbon dioxide, and other products, and its terminals store products such as petroleum, chemicals, ethanol, coal, coke, and steel. In addition, the company is a leading provider of carbon dioxide, which is used for enhanced oil recovery projects in North America. KMI also owns a 20% equity interest in NGPL PipeCo LLC, a major interstate natural gas pipeline and storage system. Kinder Morgan is a component of the S&P 500 and has approximately 11,000 employees.

The major indices are mostly lower at midday on Tuesday, with the Nasdaq down more than 1%. Earnings reports are pouring in, with companies commenting on the economy and the impact of elevated energy costs. Crude oil has again tipped over $100 per barrel. The yield on the 10-year note is at 4.37% and the VIX volatility index is at 18.

As it does every year, the Argus analyst team prepared its top stock picks for 2026. Each analyst surveyed their coverage list, reviewed forward-looking indicators for companies, and forecast which companies they believe seem best positioned for growth and investment returns in the new year. Analysts weigh potential economic and corporate headwinds and tailwinds, and have solid relationships with management teams of the companies they follow. The Argus Investment Policy Committee, comprised of our most-senior staff, supports recommendations by providing macro outlooks for the economy, interest rates, earnings, and the stock market. The following are the Argus Top Stock Picks for 2026.

Kinder Morgan Inc. is one of the largest natural gas transmission and storage companies in North America. After going private in May 2007, it went public again in February 2011 via a $3.3 billion initial public offering. Following a late 2014 consolidation of its former operating entities, Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P., Kinder Morgan Management, and El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P., the newly consolidated company no longer has a master limited partnership structure, under which the former limited partners paid incentive distribution rights (IDRs) to KMI as their general partner. Through its various operating businesses, KMI operates a diverse set of assets, including 79,000 miles of pipelines and 180 terminals. Its pipelines transport natural gas, refined petroleum products, crude oil, carbon dioxide, and other products, and its terminals store products such as petroleum, chemicals, ethanol, coal, coke, and steel. In addition, the company is a leading provider of carbon dioxide, which is used for enhanced oil recovery projects in North America. KMI also owns a 20% equity interest in NGPL Pipe Co. LLC, a major interstate natural gas pipeline and storage system. Kinder Morgan is also a component of the S&P 500 and has approximately 10,900 employees.