ONEOK INC /NEW/ (OKE)

Utilities · Natural Gas Transmisison & Distribution · Price $94.72
Updated: Aug 28, 2026
Excellent Equity Returns — Utilities
ROE of 16.21% — above the 12% excellent threshold Zyberno applies to Utilities businesses.
ROE
16.21%
Return on Equity
ROIC
8.46%
Return on Invested Capital
ROA
5.42%
Return on Assets
Debt/Equity
1.40x
Leverage Ratio
Book Value/Share
$36.51
Equity Per Share

🧮 OKE ROE Calculation

ROE = Net Income / Shareholders' Equity
Net Income (TTM) $3.7B
Shareholders' Equity $23.0B
Total Debt $32.3B
Debt-to-Equity Ratio 1.40x
ROE (Return on Equity) 16.21%

Understanding ROE

Return on Equity (ROE) measures how efficiently a company generates profits from shareholders' equity. For OKE, the current ROE is 16.21%.

Why ROE Matters

Warren Buffett has called ROE one of his favorite metrics because it shows how well management uses shareholders' capital to generate returns. A company that consistently earns 15%+ ROE is typically a well-run business that creates value for shareholders.

ROE Benchmarks

Excellent: >20%

Exceptional returns on equity. Often indicates strong competitive advantages. Common in capital-light businesses.

Good: 15-20%

Above-average ROE. Buffett often looks for companies in this range or higher.

Average: 10-15%

Typical for most companies. Returns are reasonable but not exceptional.

Below Average: <10%

May indicate poor capital allocation or challenging business conditions.

The DuPont Analysis

ROE can be decomposed into three components using DuPont analysis:

ROE = Net Margin × Asset Turnover × Equity Multiplier

This breakdown reveals whether high ROE comes from high profitability (good), efficient asset use (good), or high leverage (potentially risky).

ROE vs ROIC: Which is Better?

ROIC: 8.46% →

ROIC measures returns on ALL capital. It's more comprehensive and less affected by leverage. Often considered the better quality metric.

ROE: 16.21%

ROE only measures returns on equity. Can be inflated by high debt. If ROE >> ROIC, the company uses significant leverage.

Owner Earnings: $4.1B →

Shows actual cash available to owners. Use alongside ROE and ROIC for complete analysis.

Net Income: $3.7B →

The numerator in ROE. Understanding net income trends helps explain ROE changes over time.

What to Look For

📊 Full OKE Stock Report

Intrinsic value, margin of safety, DCF valuation, and 250+ metrics.

🏆 OKE ROIC

Compare ROE to ROIC — the more comprehensive measure of capital efficiency.

💹 OKE P/E Ratio

Analyze valuation relative to earnings and understand market pricing.

👤 OKE Owner Earnings

Warren Buffett's preferred measure of true economic earnings available to owners.

💰 OKE Net Income

See the earnings that drive ROE calculations.

💵 OKE Free Cash Flow

Actual cash generation after capital expenditures.

View Full OKE Report Find More Quality Stocks
📊 Valuation Trilogy
Three interconnected metrics built on Owner Earnings
💎
Intrinsic Value
DCF Fair Value
$130.66
🛡️
Margin of Safety
Valuation Gap
27.5%
🎯
Expected Return
Projected Annual
17.8%
Click any metric for full methodology and detailed analysis

Summary: OKE Return on Equity

ONEOK INC /NEW/ (OKE) has a ROE of 16.21%, which Zyberno classifies as excellent for a Utilities company — above the 12% threshold Zyberno applies to regulated utilities where equity returns are bounded by regulatory rate-setting. Note: with a debt-to-equity of 1.40x, leverage is amplifying these returns — compare with ROIC (8.46%) for a leverage-neutral view. For complete financial analysis, view the full OKE stock report on Zyberno.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is OKE's current ROE?

ONEOK INC /NEW/'s Return on Equity (ROE) is 16.21%, measured against the 12% excellent threshold Zyberno applies to Utilities businesses. ROE measures the company's profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Is OKE's ROE good?

ONEOK INC /NEW/ (OKE) has a ROE of 16.21%, which Zyberno classifies as excellent for a Utilities company — above the 12% threshold Zyberno applies to regulated utilities where equity returns are bounded by regulatory rate-setting. Note: with a debt-to-equity of 1.40x, leverage is amplifying these returns — compare with ROIC (8.46%) for a leverage-neutral view.

What is the difference between ROE and ROIC?

ROE measures returns on shareholder equity only, while ROIC measures returns on all invested capital (debt + equity). OKE's ROE is 16.21% vs ROIC of 8.46%. ROE can be inflated by high debt, making ROIC often a more reliable quality metric.

Can high ROE be misleading?

Yes, high ROE can be misleading if achieved through high debt. OKE's debt-to-equity ratio is 1.40x. Compare ROE to ROIC — if ROE is much higher than ROIC, the company uses significant leverage which adds risk.

📊 Full OKE Stock Report

See OKE's intrinsic value, margin of safety, DCF valuation, and complete financial analysis with 250+ metrics.

🏆 OKE ROIC

Compare to Return on Invested Capital — the most comprehensive measure of capital efficiency.

💹 OKE P/E Ratio

Analyze the price-to-earnings ratio and earnings yield as a valuation metric.

🎯 OKE Earnings Surprise (SUE)

See whether OKE is beating or missing its own earnings trend — Standardized Unexpected Earnings and post-earnings drift.

👤 OKE Owner Earnings

Warren Buffett's preferred measure of true economic earnings available to owners.

💰 OKE Net Income

See the bottom-line profit that drives return calculations.

📊 OKE EPS

Earnings per share — net income on a per-share basis.

View Full OKE Report Find More Quality Stocks
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