5 Best Oil Stocks to Buy Today
| Company (Ticker) | 12 Week Price Change | Forward PE | Price | Proj EPS Growth (1 Year) | Projected Sales Growth (1Y) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centrus Energy (LEU) | -7.92% | 69.18 | $281.36 | -17.05% | 8.34% |
| Oceaneering International (OII) | 29.47% | 16.41 | $31.42 | -7.46% | -5.83% |
| TechnipFMC (FTI) | 29.06% | 20.62 | $57.25 | 20.79% | 6.98% |
| Archrock (AROC) | 18.05% | 16.03 | $29.79 | 15.00% | 6.25% |
| Innovex International, Inc. (INVX) | 17.74% | 15.46 | $25.33 | 22.48% | 6.04% |
*Updated on February 3, 2026.
Centrus Energy (LEU)
$281.36 USD +14.15 (5.30%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
Premium Research for LEU
- Zacks Rank
Strong Buy 1
- Style Scores
F Value D Growth D Momentum F VGM
- Market Cap:$5.07 B (Mid Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth:4.25%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth:-88.05%
- Last EPS Surprise:-5.00%
- Next EPS Report date:Feb. 10, 2026
Our Take:
Centrus Energy is the only U.S.-owned uranium enrichment provider, supplying low-enriched uranium and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) to utilities and government programs across fuel supply and national security missions.
The company is advancing domestic enrichment through scalable infrastructure and manufacturing investment. Centrus has demonstrated HALEU production, expanded centrifuge manufacturing at Oak Ridge, and is preparing future deployment at its Ohio facility, strengthening U.S. energy security and supporting advanced and existing reactor requirements.
A Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) signals broad upward estimate revisions, while Style Scores of F for Value and D for Growth and Momentum indicate a premium and softer trend strength, in line with recent volatility. On the Price, Consensus & EPS Surprise chart, shares have trended higher since mid-2024 alongside rising multi-year EPS lines, though sharp swings around updates underscore sensitivity to funding and contract timing, reinforcing a selective, risk-aware stance.
Oceaneering International (OII)
$31.42 USD +0.89 (2.92%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
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- Zacks Rank
Buy 2
- Style Scores
B Value B Growth C Momentum A VGM
- Market Cap:$3.00 B (Mid Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth:76.32%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth:12.24%
- Last EPS Surprise:30.95%
- Next EPS Report date:Feb. 18, 2026
Our Take:
Oceaneering is a global technology solutions provider with decades of subsea experience, emphasizing robotics, automation, software, and engineering capabilities to support complex operations across energy, industrial, aerospace, and defense end markets.
Looking ahead, the company expects continued growth supported by strong offshore activity, expanding defense programs, and investments in autonomy and digital solutions, alongside a solid liquidity position, reinstated share repurchases, and multi-year contract visibility across commercial and government-focused businesses.
A Zacks Rank #2 reflects improving earnings estimates. Style Scores of B for Value and Growth indicate a reasonable valuation backed by steady growth potential. The C Momentum score points to near-term consolidation, without weakening the broader fundamental outlook. On the chart, the stock’s steady uptrend has tracked higher out-year EPS estimates, with periodic post-print volatility that quickly reverts as consensus edges up. The pattern suggests execution is translating into durable earnings visibility.
TechnipFMC (FTI)
$57.25 USD +0.80 (1.42%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
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- Zacks Rank
Buy 2
- Style Scores
B Value A Growth C Momentum A VGM
- Market Cap:$22.54 B (Large Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth:24.73%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth:10.29%
- Last EPS Surprise:15.38%
- Next EPS Report date:Feb. 19, 2026
Our Take:
TechnipFMC positions itself as an integrated energy solutions provider, leveraging subsea, surface, and emerging energy capabilities to support complex offshore developments while advancing efficiency, sustainability, and long-term value creation.
The company anticipates its integrated execution model, technology leadership, and expanding subsea opportunities to drive resilient growth, enhance project economics, strengthen client partnerships, and deliver durable cash generation, supported by a robust backlog, disciplined capital allocation, and continued innovation across its portfolio globally.
A Zacks Rank #2 underscores positive estimate revisions and solid analyst confidence. Style Scores of B for Value and A for Growth point to reasonable valuation and strong growth prospects, while a C in Momentum suggests a short-term pause. Overall, the setup remains fundamentally healthy. The chart shows a persistent price climb with 2026–2027 EPS lines stepping higher. Occasional pullbacks around results have been shallow as estimates reset upward, consistent with improving order quality and execution.
Archrock (AROC)
$29.79 USD +0.29 (0.98%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
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- Zacks Rank
Buy 2
- Style Scores
B Value B Growth C Momentum A VGM
- Market Cap:$5.17 B (Mid Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth:52.38%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth:7.69%
- Last EPS Surprise:2.44%
- Next EPS Report date:Feb. 23, 2026
Our Take:
Archrock is a premier U.S. natural gas compression provider delivering essential, must-run midstream services, with a strategic focus on large-horsepower and electric motor drive units that underpin long-term infrastructure reliability and nationwide scale.
Stronger earnings and cash flow are supported by firm demand and consistently high utilization of a larger, more modern compression fleet. Expanding aftermarket services, focused on repairing and maintaining customer-owned equipment, provide steady, lower-capital revenue, reinforcing margins and supporting shareholder returns.
A Zacks Rank #2 with a Style Score of B for Value and Growth and C for Momentum points to constructive revisions and sensible valuation. On the chart, shares have broken to new highs while forward EPS estimates for 2026–2027 rise, signaling confidence in multi-year contract pricing and deployment. The pattern also shows brisk reactions to quarterly prints, suggesting sensitivity to capital allocation and utilization updates.
Innovex International, Inc. (INVX)
$25.33 USD +0.90 (3.68%)
3-Year Stock Price Performance
Premium Research for INVX
- Zacks Rank
Buy 2
- Style Scores
A Value A Growth C Momentum A VGM
- Market Cap:$1.68 B (Small Cap)
- Projected EPS Growth:-4.44%
- Last Quarter EPS Growth:-35.71%
- Last EPS Surprise:-33.33%
- Next EPS Report date:Feb. 24, 2026
Our Take:
Innovex leverages a capital-light platform, resilient margins, global diversification, and strong cash generation to drive scalable growth, enhance returns and capitalize on operational efficiencies across cycles.
The company believes growth opportunities will increase as it gains market share, sees higher adoption of its technologies, expands product trials internationally, and benefits from integration synergies, all of which are expected to support stronger earnings momentum over time.
A Zacks Rank #2 highlights positive estimate revisions. Style Scores of A for Value and Growth point to an attractive valuation supported by solid growth characteristics. The C Momentum score reflects uneven near-term price action, which is common for newer listings. The chart shows a rising share price alongside improving out-year EPS lines, with brief pullbacks around earnings that reset quickly as estimates firm. That setup supports a constructive view provided execution continues and pricing holds in key product categories.
Methodology
The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that uses trends in earnings estimate revisions and earnings-per-share (EPS) surprises to classify stocks into five groups: #1 (Strong Buy), #2 (Buy), #3 (Hold), #4 (Sell) and #5 (Strong Sell). The Zacks Rank is calculated through four primary factors related to earnings estimates: analysts' consensus on earnings estimate revisions, the magnitude of revision change, the upside potential and estimate surprise (or the degree in which earnings per share deviated from the previous quarter).
Zacks builds the data from 3,000 analysts at over 150 different brokerage firms. The average yearly gain for Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks is +23.62% per year from January, 1988, through June 2, 2025.
Selections for Best Biotech Stocks are based on the current top ranking stocks based on Zacks Indicator Score, Style Scores and fundamentals. For this list, only companies that have average daily trading volumes of 100,000 shares or more of 95 energy companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq. All information is current as of market open, Feb. 03, 2026.
General Questions About Energy Stocks
Types of energy stocks
Energy equities are diverse, spanning traditional oil and gas functions to electrification and renewable power. Below are the major categories with representative companies to help you understand where stocks fit in the broader sector.
Integrated producers
These are large energy companies involved in the full value chain—from finding and producing oil and gas (upstream), transporting it (midstream), refining it into fuels (downstream), and often selling it at retail. This breadth can help smooth earnings when one segment underperforms.
Examples:
- Exxon Mobil (XOM): One of the world’s largest integrated oil majors with operations across exploration, refining, petrochemicals and emerging low-carbon solutions.
- Chevron (CVX): Another U.S. supermajor with a globally diversified portfolio of upstream and downstream assets.
- BP plc (BP): UK-based integrated energy company with oil/gas and growing renewable investments.
- Shell plc (SHEL): Major European integrated producer also building out renewables and LNG infrastructure.
Exploration & Production (E&P)
Companies in this group focus chiefly on finding and drilling for crude oil and natural gas. Their earnings often move in step with commodity prices because they sell raw energy products.
Examples:
- ConocoPhillips (COP): A large independent producer with strong positions in U.S. shale and global fields.
- EQT Corporation (EQT): One of the biggest natural gas producers in the U.S., with deep Marcellus Basin exposure.
- Diamondback Energy (FANG): Focused on shale oil production in the Permian Basin.
- Civitas Resources (CIVI), Chord Energy (CHRD), Vista Energy (VIST): Examples of smaller/mid-cap E&Ps with exploration upside.
Midstream Pipelines
Midstream firms own and operate the infrastructure that moves and stores oil, natural gas, and related products. Their earnings tend to come from fee-based contracts rather than commodity prices, offering stability.
Examples:
- Enbridge Inc. (ENB): A Canadian giant operating one of North America’s largest pipeline networks for crude and natural gas.
- Kinder Morgan (KMI): Major U.S. pipeline owner transporting hydrocarbons and refined products.
- Enterprise Products Partners (EPD): One of the largest midstream master limited partnerships (MLPs) with thousands of miles of pipelines.
- MPLX (MPLX): A high-yield midstream MLP spun out of Marathon Petroleum.
- ONEOK (OKE): Midstream operator handling natural gas liquids and pipelines across the U.S.
Refiners
Refining companies take crude oil and transform it into usable products like gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and petrochemicals. These stocks often do well when refining margins (crack spreads) are wide
Examples:
- Phillips 66 (PSX): A leading U.S. refiner also expanding into midstream infrastructure.
- Valero Energy (VLO): One of the largest independent refiners with global footprint.
- Marathon Petroleum (MPC): Large U.S. refiner with affiliated midstream operations.
Utilities
Utilities generate and deliver electricity or natural gas to consumers and businesses. These firms are typically more regulated and less volatile than pure commodity plays. Many are also transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
Examples:
- NextEra Energy (NEE): Largest U.S. utility with a major renewable generation portfolio.
- Duke Energy (DUK): Large diversified utility serving millions of customers.
- Southern Company (SO): Major southeastern U.S. utility investing in grid modernization and cleaner power.
- Portland General Electric (POR): Regional utility with a growing renewable footprint.
- Constellation Energy (CEG): Nuclear-focused power generator with natural gas and geothermal exposure.
Renewables
These stocks focus on energy generation from sustainable sources like wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and emerging technologies such as hydrogen and wave power. They may also include service providers in the clean-energy infrastructure space.
Examples:
- Brookfield Renewable Partners (BEP): Operates an extensive portfolio of wind, solar, and hydro assets globally.
- Ormat Technologies (ORA): Specialized in geothermal and solar power projects.
- SolarEdge (SEDG), First Solar (FSLR), Canadian Solar (CSIQ): Growing names in solar generation and component manufacturing.
- Eco Wave Power (WAVE): Early-stage wave energy technology company with high growth potential.
- Quanta Services (PWR): Not a pure renewable but a key player in building and maintaining power grids and clean infrastructure.
Quick takeaway for Energy Stock Investing:
- Traditional energy investors often favor integrated producers and E&Ps for commodity exposure and dividends.
- Income-oriented investors may like midstream pipelines and utilities.
- Growth-focused strategies commonly target renewable energy and infrastructure names.
What are the benefits of buying energy stocks?
- High dividend yields relative to the broader market.
- Strong correlation to inflation and commodity cycles.
- Global demand for oil, natural gas, and power remains durable.
- Capital-return programs (buybacks, dividends) have strengthened in recent years.
What are the risks of buying energy stocks?
- Volatile crude and natural-gas prices.
- Political/regulatory risk.
- High capital requirements.
- Demand destruction during recessions.
- Technological disruption from clean-energy alternatives.
Energy Stocks vs. Energy ETFs
- Stocks offer targeted exposure and potential for outsized gains if you pick winners.
- ETFs provide diversification across subsectors, reducing company-specific risk.
Top Energy ETFs to Invest In
ETFs provide diversified exposure across oil producers, refiners, pipelines, and renewable-energy companies. Popular examples include:
- Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) — Tracks major S&P 500 energy giants.
- Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) — Broader basket of U.S. energy stocks.
- iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) — Focused on solar, wind, and green-tech names.
- Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) — Concentrates on income-heavy pipeline operators.
Investment Strategy & Suitability
Are dividend-paying energy stocks a good investment?
Yes—many investors favor energy companies for their historically strong dividends, supported by robust free-cash-flow generation and capital discipline.
Are energy stocks a good hedge against inflation?
Often. Oil and gas prices typically rise when inflation climbs, and producers can benefit from commodity-linked revenues.
How do energy stocks perform during a recession?
They tend to soften as fuel demand falls, though stable-cash-flow midstream operators and utilities often hold up better.
What energy stocks should I hold long-term?
Integrated majors, high-quality pipelines, regulated utilities, and established renewable developers tend to offer durable long-term returns.
Should I invest in traditional or renewable energy?
A balanced approach works for many investors: traditional companies provide cash stability, while renewables offer long-term growth potential.
How to Select Energy Stocks
When evaluating energy names, consider:
- Balance-sheet strength: Favor companies with low debt, strong cash flow, and solid liquidity to withstand commodity volatility.
- Capital-allocation strategy: Look for disciplined spending, smart investment priorities, and a clear plan for shareholder returns.
- Dividend sustainability: Choose firms with stable cash generation, reasonable payout ratios, and reliable long-term dividend policies.
- Exposure to favorable regions: Companies operating in high-productivity, low-cost areas (e.g., Permian Basin, LNG export hubs) often deliver stronger margins.
- Production cost per barrel: Low-cost producers are more resilient when oil and gas prices fall and typically outperform over time.
- Growth pipeline: Evaluate upcoming projects—such as renewable buildouts, LNG expansions, or refinery upgrades—that support future earnings.
- Historical returns on capital: Consistently strong ROIC signals efficient management and durable value creation.
Energy Stock Trends and Market Factors
How are energy stocks affected by oil prices?
Oil prices remain the most influential variable. Producers benefit from rising crude, while refiners perform best when input costs are low and demand is strong.
What’s the forecast for the energy sector?
Analysts expect continued capital discipline, stable dividends, and a multi-year growth cycle in LNG exports. Renewables should gain momentum as financing conditions improve and global clean-energy spending rises.
How do rising interest rates impact energy stocks?
Higher rates increase borrowing costs, which can slow renewable-energy development. For oil producers, the impact is milder due to strong cash positions.
What are analysts saying about the energy market?
Most major research firms see a balanced oil market, steady global demand growth, and favorable long-term trends for both LNG and low-carbon technologies. Volatility may remain elevated, but the sector’s valuation and cash-return profile remain attractive relative to the S&P 500.
