Kinder Morgan Inc. (NYSE:KMI)

The share price demonstrated notable fluctuations over the examined period. It initially increased from approximately $30.77 in early 2011 to a peak of $42.03 in early 2015, indicating a general upward trend during that timeframe. However, from 2015 onward, the share price declined sharply to a low of $15.62 in early 2016. Following this downturn, the price partially recovered but remained volatile, fluctuating between $17.24 and $22.48 from 2017 through 2020.

Earnings per share (EPS) displayed considerable variability. The EPS started negative at -$0.05 in 2011, then improved to positive values over the next few years with a peak of $1.16 in 2014. Thereafter, EPS declined sharply to $0.1 in 2016, reflecting a significant weakening in profitability. Subsequent years saw modest recovery with EPS ranging between $0.01 and $0.97, peaking again in 2020 at $0.97. This pattern suggests inconsistent earnings performance with periods of both recovery and decline.

The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio exhibited extreme volatility. After being undefined or not applicable in 2011 due to negative EPS, it spiked to very high levels in some years, including a peak of over 1400 in 2018. The P/E ratio was generally elevated, often exceeding 20, which may reflect market expectations of future earnings growth or periods of low earnings driving the ratio higher. The lowest P/E ratio within the dataset occurred in 2020 at approximately 22.56, aligning with the recovery in EPS and share price during the same period.

Overall, the data indicates a company experiencing periods of financial instability, reflected in fluctuating EPS and share price levels. The elevated and variable P/E ratios suggest market uncertainty or optimistic speculation regarding future earnings potential throughout much of the period analyzed.