(Reuters) -Pipeline and terminal operator Kinder Morgan (NYSE:KMI) on Wednesday posted a lower-than-expected profit for the fourth quarter, as higher interest expenses and weakness in the natural gas pipeline segment hurt margins during the period.
The company earned a profit of 28 cents per share on an adjusted basis for the quarter ended Dec. 31, compared with analysts' average estimate of 30 cents per share, according to LSEG data.
The reported quarter was pressured by weakness in the carbon dioxide (CO2) transportation segment, which was hit by lower prices of natural gas liquids and declining CO2 volumes.
The Houston-based firm's earnings from the CO2 segment dropped to $170 million in the quarter, from $194 million last year.
U.S. natural gas futures fell nearly 44% in 2023, its first annual fall in four years, which is also its biggest decline since 2006, dragged by record production, ample inventories in storage and relatively mild weather conditions, hitting transportation firms like Kinder Morgan.
Kinder Morgan's adjusted core profit from the natural gas pipeline segment was down to $1.33 billion in the October-December quarter, from $1.35 billion last year.
"Despite the decline versus last quarter, we're still confident in our ability to spend at the high end of the $1 billion to $2 billion per year discretionary capex range for the next few years," CEO Kimberly Dang said.
The company raised its adjusted core profit guidance for 2024 to $1.22 per share from its previous forecast of $1.21 per share, on the inclusion of NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) Partners' STX Midstream assets, following its acquisition.
"Looking forward to 2024, we expect a really nice growth over 2023 with every business unit expected to contribute incremental earnings," Dang added.