ETF Spotlights

ENFR & Midstream Stocks Rally as Earnings Reinforce Gas-Driven Growth Runway

Written by SS&C ALPS Advisors | Mar 6, 2026 11:47:22 PM
    • The Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (ENFR) surged 9.46% in February, handily outpacing broad US equity indices as Energy remained the best-performing S&P 500 sector so far in 2026. The strong month reflected solid midstream earnings momentum, dividend announcements and renewed investor focus on US natural gas infrastructure as power demand accelerates alongside data-center expansion.

    • The Gathering & Processing (G&P) segment led ENFR’s performance in February, supported by strong earnings and constructive forward outlooks. Targa Resources Corp. (TRGP, 5.42% weight*) gained more than 17% after reporting record 4Q and full-year 2025 results and reaffirming expectations for record 2026 performance. Growth continues to be driven by robust natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) volumes and ongoing Permian Basin development—including the new 275 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) Yeti II gas processing plant slated to begin operations in 4Q 2027. Antero Midstream Corp. (AM, 4.15% weight*) gained nearly 19.45% following 4Q 2025 results and 2026 guidance that underscored a capital-efficient growth trajectory.

    • Also within ENFR’s Gathering & Processing segment, Williams Companies (WMB, 6.43% weight*) highlighted robust growth opportunities for natural gas infrastructure at its February Analyst Day, announcing a 10%+ compound annual growth rate target for adjusted EBITDA from 2025 to 2030 and outlining 7.1 billion cf/d of pipeline projects and 1.9 gigawatt (GW) of power projects in execution. Williams forecasts ~39 Bcf/d of natural gas demand growth through 2035, with liguefied natural gas (LNG) exports and power representing the majority of incremental demand. Notably, Williams has four behind-the-meter power projects underway in support of data centers and a significant backlog of power opportunities with major equipment already secured—Williams shares rose 11.09% in February.

    • ENFR’s Liquefaction subsector, which involves liquefying natural gas for export, remained a focal point during February. Cheniere Energy Inc. (LNG, 5.25% weight*) returned 11.74% after reporting better-than-expected results, increasing its share repurchase authorization to more than $10 billion through 2030, and guiding to record LNG exports of 51-52 million metric tons in 2026. Separately, US export policy remained supportive as the Department of Energy approved a 12% increase in authorized exports (an additional 0.47 Bcf/d) from Cheniere’s Corpus Christi facility.

    • Pipeline Transportation (Petroleum) also contributed meaningfully to ENFR’s February performance. South Bow Corp. (SOBO CN, 3.71% weight*) rose 13.19%, with sentiment bolstered further in early March amid reports that the company is evaluating the potential revival of the previously canceled Keystone XL project—a proposed ~550,000 barrels per day (bpd) pipeline connecting Canadian crude to Wyoming—pending necessary approvals and stakeholder support.

“Overall, total demand for natural gas is expected to grow by 17% through 2030, led by LNG exports.”

– Kim Dang, CEO, Kinder Morgan (January 21, 2026)

LNG Contracting Picks Up Again, Supporting Midstream Volume Visibility
  • Long-term LNG contracting accelerated in 2025, improving project visibility and serving as a major catalyst for the energy infrastructure sector. According to recent Energy Information Administration (EIA) analysis, US LNG developers signed 40 million tons per annum (mtpa) of long-term sale and purchase agreements in 2025 (equivalent to 5.2 Bcf/d)—the highest annual volume since 2022—reinforcing the commercial foundation typically required ahead of sanctioning export projects and the related multi-year infrastructure buildouts. Notably, US LNG export capacity is set to double by 2031 based on projects under construction. 

  • ENFR’s portfolio is strategically aligned with natural gas infrastructure, with 36.46% allocated to Natural Gas Pipeline Transportation, 27.04% to Gathering & Processing and 7.51% to Liquefaction.* In total, ~71% of the underlying index is directly linked to the natural gas value chain. This positioning is designed to capture rising US and Canadian natural gas flows and the structural tailwinds supporting G&P and pipeline systems tied to LNG exports and power demand, while emphasizing durable, fee-based cash flows that can support dividends and disciplined capital returns.

  • 2025 deal activity was concentrated in several large-scale projects. Port Arthur Phase 2 (1.4 Bcf/d), NextDecade’s (NEXT, 0.41% weight*) Rio Grande Phase 2 (1.2 Bcf/d) and Venture Global’s (VG, 2.11% weight*) CP2 (1.1 Bcf/d) accounted for roughly 3.7 Bcf/d—more than 70% of US LNG capacity contracted in 2025—highlighting where the next wave of US LNG demand is likely to emerge.

  • Why it matters for ENFR: Large LNG projects can increase natural gas volumes moving through gathering/processing and pipeline systems—areas where ENFR is concentrated and where cash flows are tied to throughput and contracts rather than just commodity price moves.

Performance Summary
  Cumulative Annualized
  1 M YTD 1 Y 3 Y 1 Y 3 Y 5 Y 10 Y SI
ENFR - NAV (Net Asset Value)  9.46% 17.97% 18.82% 102.68% 5.93% 20.07% 23.38% 11.76% 6.79%
ENFR - Market Price 9.55% 17.98% 18.92% 102.61% 5.92% 20.21% 23.41% 11.78% 6.80%
Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index - TR 9.57% 18.14% 19.59% 106.91% 6.58% 20.88% 24.26% 12.70% 7.66%
Alerian MLP Index - TR 7.09% 15.68% 12.83% 89.77% 9.76% 20.00% 25.96% 8.85% 4.41%


Source: Bloomberg L.P. and SS&C ALPS Advisors, cumulative performance as of 02/28/2026 and annualized performance as of 12/31/2025 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. For current month-end performance call 1-866-759-5679 or visit www.alpsfunds.com. Performance includes reinvested distributions and capital gains.

Market Price is based on the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4 p.m. ET and does not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times.

Fund inception date: 10/31/2013

Total Operating Expenses: 0.35%

* Weight in ENFR as of 02/28/2026

 

Top 10 Holdings
Enbridge Inc 8.19%   Kinder Morgan Inc 5.30%
Energy Transfer LP 8.00%   Cheniere Energy Inc 5.25%
Enterprise Products Partners LP 7.21%   Plains GP Holdings LP 5.13%
Williams Cos Inc/The 6.43%   TC Energy Corp 5.05%
Targa Resources Corp 5.42%   DT Midstream Inc 4.96%


As of 02/28/2026, subject to change

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Investments in the energy infrastructure sector are subject to: reduced volumes of natural gas or other energy commodities available for transporting, processing or storing; changes in the regulatory environment; extreme weather and; rising interest rates which could result in a higher cost of capital and drive investors into other investment opportunities.

The Fund employs a “passive management” - or indexing - investment approach and seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of its underlying index. Unlike many investment companies, the Fund is not “actively” managed. Therefore, it would not necessarily sell or buy a security unless that security is removed from or added to the underlying index, respectively.

Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index (AMEI): a composite of North American energy infrastructure companies. The capped, float-adjusted, capitalization-weighted index constituents are engaged in midstream activities involving energy commodities.

Alerian MLP Index (AMZ): the leading gauge of energy infrastructure MLPs. The capped, float-adjusted, capitalization-weighted index constituents earn the majority of their cash flow from midstream activities involving energy commodities.

Tailwind: a certain situation or condition that may lead to higher profits, revenue or growth.

One may not invest directly in an index.

ALPS Advisors, Inc., registered investment adviser with the SEC, is the investment adviser to the Fund. ALPS Advisors, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., affiliated entities, are unaffiliated with VettaFi and the Alerian Index Series.

ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. is the distributor for the Fund.

Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value

ALR002050 06/30/2026