New York, Feb 13, 2026, 18:33 EST — After-hours
- Enterprise Products Partners units gained roughly 5% Friday, sticking close to $37 after the bell.
- Treasury yields slipped after U.S. inflation data came in softer, fueling talk of possible rate cuts.
- Presidents Day keeps U.S. markets closed Monday; trading resumes on Tuesday.
Enterprise Products Partners L.P. climbed 5% to close at $37.21 on Friday, holding steady in after-hours moves. The units swung between $35.34 and $37.29 through the session on roughly 9.3 million changing hands. Kinder Morgan finished up around 2%, while Williams Cos tacked on 1.6%.
Rate-sensitive sectors picked up steam after the inflation numbers landed, but heavyweight tech stocks kept the broader market in check. The S&P 500 eked out a 0.05% gain; the Nasdaq slipped 0.22%. Traders pushed the odds of a June quarter-point rate cut to 52.3%, according to the CME FedWatch tool, Reuters said. “Large cap tech stocks continue to be an anchor on the market,” noted Michael James, managing director at Rosenblatt Securities. 1
The Labor Department reported a 0.2% climb in the consumer price index for January, putting the annual pace at 2.4%. Core CPI, which strips out food and energy, advanced 0.3% on the month and 2.5% over the past year. “Price pressures remain a little too hot for comfort,” Edward Jones senior economist James McCann said, even as investors ramped up wagers on a potential Federal Reserve rate cut by mid-year. 2
Enterprise is handing out a $0.55-per-unit cash distribution for the fourth quarter, the MLP confirmed, putting its annualized payout at $2.20. That’s set to hit unitholders’ accounts on Friday, Feb. 13. The company also stepped up its buybacks, scooping up roughly $50 million in common units in the quarter, which brings usage of its $5 billion repurchase plan to about 29%. Enterprise’s network spans more than 50,000 miles of pipelines, along with major crude, natural gas, and NGL storage and terminal facilities. 3
Crude prices edged higher heading into the weekend. Brent closed 0.3% firmer at $67.75 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate barely moved, finishing up 0.08% at $62.89. Fresh inflation numbers fueled bets on easier rates, Reuters noted. “Looks like inflation is stabilizing,” said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial. He cautioned, though, that if OPEC+ goes ahead with output boosts from April, rising supply could drag prices lower. 4
Midstream stocks often move not just on commodity news, but rates, too. Their yields stack up against bond coupons, so when Treasury yields drop, that steady payout suddenly stands out more.
Enterprise generates most of its cash flow from transporting and storing fuels and petrochemicals—operations built around fees and long-term deals. The units aren’t exactly bond proxies, but investors keep an eye on coverage ratios, funding costs, and what comes next for capital returns.
Even so, the trade comes with risks. Should inflation stay stubborn and the Fed hold rates through summer, yields might snap back, squeezing income-focused sectors. A weaker oil market would also weigh on sentiment for energy infrastructure.
With U.S. markets shuttered Monday for Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day) and trading resuming Tuesday, investors are settling in for the long weekend. Eyes on EPD: traders are set to see if bids stick once rates and crude recalibrate post-holiday. 5
