In this article, we are going to discuss the 10 best energy stocks to buy under $20 according to billionaires.
As of the writing of this piece, the S&P Energy index has surged by 24% since the beginning of 2026. This compares to gains of around 7.4% delivered by the overall S&P 500 during the period.
The energy sector’s outperformance has been primarily driven by the soaring crude oil prices amid the Middle East conflict. Oil prices are up by over 45% since the US attacked Iran, with the latter retaliating by blocking the Strait of Hormuz and choking around a fifth of the global oil supply.
Recent reports indicate that White House has sent an MOU to formally end the conflict and pave the way for the gradual reopening of Hormuz. However, even if a potential peace deal is achieved, analysts expect the conflict to have a lasting structural impact on global crude prices.
That said, American oil operators with a limited exposure to the Middle East disruptions have benefited significantly from the multi-year high oil prices. A number of these companies have reported positive windfalls in the ongoing earnings season, with several Big Oil names even currently hovering around their all-time highs.
According to data from Bloomberg, the US oil product exports surged to a record 8.2 million barrels per day last week, as countries across Europe and Asia leaned on American energy supplies to make up for the shortfalls caused by the Middle East war. This figure indicates an increase of over 20% compared to the same period last year. Moreover, the high demand for American energy saw the United States become a net exporter of crude oil for the first time since World War 2, marking a sharp reversal from the country’s position as one of the world’s largest importers of crude just a little over a decade ago.
With that said, here are the Best Energy Stocks Under $20 According to Billionaire Investors.
Our Methodology
To collect data for this article, we referred to several stock screeners to find energy stocks with a share price of less than $20. We then shortlisted stocks with the highest number of billionaire investors at the end of Q4 2025, as per the Insider Monkey database. We limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. The following are the Best Energy Stocks Under $20 According to Billionaires.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).
10. Select Water Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:WTTR)
Share Price as of May 6: $17.25
Number of Billionaire Holders: 6
Select Water Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:WTTR) is a leader in water management and chemical technology to customers in the oil and gas industry, as well as in other industrial applications.
Select Water Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:WTTR) reported strong results for Q1 2026 on May 5, with the company exceeding expectations across all parts of its business. The firm’s adjusted EPS of $0.17 comfortably topped estimates by $0.11, while its revenue of $366 million also beat forecasts by over $21 million.
Select Water Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:WTTR) increased its net income by $11 million and improved adjusted EBITDA by $13 million sequentially in the first quarter. Moreover, the company’s Water Infrastructure business generated a record quarterly revenue of $97 million during the quarter, indicating a sequential increase of 19%.
Supported by this strong outperformance and with additional projects coming online over the course of the year, Select Water Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:WTTR) increased its full-year 2026 growth target for the Water Infrastructure segment to 25% to 30% YoY, up from the 20% to 25% previously. The company expects an adjusted EBITDA of $77 million to $80 million in the second quarter, compared to $77.6 million in Q1.
9. Ecopetrol S.A. (NYSE:EC)
Share Price as of May 6: $13.48
Number of Billionaire Holders: 8
With a workforce of over 18,000, Ecopetrol S.A. (NYSE:EC) is among the largest companies in Colombia and one of the leading integrated energy groups on the American continent.
On May 6, the credit rating agency Moody’s downgraded Ecopetrol S.A. (NYSE:EC)’s global credit rating from Ba1 to Ba2, while also revising its outlook from stable to negative. However, the agency affirmed the company’s Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA), or stand‑alone credit profile, at b1, highlighting its intrinsic strength.
According to Moody’s, the downgrade is primarily driven by a more cautious assessment of support from the Government of Colombia. This stems from the rising concerns regarding potential government interference and reduced clarity regarding the timeliness and predictability of support mechanisms, especially those tied to the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund (FEPC).
Conversely, Moody’s reaffirmed Ecopetrol S.A. (NYSE:EC)’s BCA at b1, citing the company’s solid position as the leading integrated oil and gas company in Colombia. This assessment is supported by Ecopetrol’s diversified operations, moderate leverage levels, solid liquidity, and its key role in ensuring the South American country’s energy supply.
8. Crescent Energy Company (NYSE:CRGY)
Share Price as of May 6: $13.42
Number of Billionaire Holders: 8
Next on our list of the Best Energy Stocks Under $20 is Crescent Energy Company (NYSE:CRGY). The company engages in the exploration and production of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States.
Crescent Energy Company (NYSE:CRGY) reported mixed results for its Q1 2026 on May 4, with the company’s loss per share of $1.28 significantly falling behind consensus by $1.63. However, its revenue grew by over 24% YoY to almost $1.2 billion and exceeded estimates by $20 million.
Notably, Crescent Energy Company (NYSE:CRGY) produced a record 341,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) for the quarter, including 140 thousand barrels of oil per day. Moreover, it generated around $690 million of adjusted EBITDA and approximately $192 million of levered free cash flow. Crescent Energy also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share on May 5 and ended the quarter with approximately $2 billion of liquidity, no near-term debt maturities, and “a clear pathway to lower absolute leverage over time”.
At current prices, Crescent Energy Company (NYSE:CRGY) expects to generate around $200 million of EBITDA this year, representing a meaningful increase versus its original guidance. Moreover, the company is targeting to deliver approximately $1 billion of levered free cash flow in 2026.
Hotchkis & Wiley, an investment management company, stated the following regarding Crescent Energy Company (NYSE:CRGY) in its Q1 2026 investor letter:
“Crescent Energy Company (NYSE:CRGY) is an independent E&P operating in the Permian, Eagle Ford and Uinta Basins. Following their merger with Vital Energy, which expanded their geography into the Permian Basin, the Company will be the tenth largest US independent E&P. We own Crescent for its low valuation relative to free cash flow generation (over $700 million annually), improved scale and public float. Crescent outperformed in the first quarter as oil prices surged following the Strait of Hormuz closure, with Brent crude peaking near $127. The company’s Eagle Ford assets benefited from the geopolitical risk premium, while its natural gas hedge book protects cash flows.”
7. Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (NYSE:AESI)
Share Price as of May 6: $19.22
Number of Billionaire Holders: 10
Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (NYSE:AESI) is a leading solutions provider to the energy industry with a focus on leveraging technology, automation, and remote operations to enhance efficiencies.
Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (NYSE:AESI) reported mixed results for its Q1 2026 on May 4, with the company’s adjusted loss per share of $0.36 falling behind estimates by $0.17. However, its revenue of $265.6 million managed to top expectations by $9.5 million, despite a YoY decline of almost 11%. Atlas delivered an adjusted EBITDA of $28.4 million for the quarter, which was in line with its previously announced range of $26-30 million.
Notably, Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (NYSE:AESI) announced a 5-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with an investment-grade technology infrastructure provider for 120 MW of private generation capacity. The company expects this project to generate approximately $50 million to $55 million of adjusted free cash flow on an annualized basis once fully deployed.
Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (NYSE:AESI) is now targeting a Q2 EBITDA of approximately $50 million, supported by the incremental contributions coming from its Power segment. Moreover, the company revised its 2026 CapEx guidance to around $350 million to $375 million.
6. Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CRK)
Share Price as of May 6: $15.75
Number of Billionaire Holders: 12
Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CRK) is a leading independent natural gas producer with operations focused on the development of the Haynesville shale in North Louisiana and East Texas.
Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CRK) fell after reporting mixed results for its Q1 2026 on May 5. The company’s adjusted EPS of $0.15 missed expectations by $0.08, but its revenue of $587.3 million was up 14.5% YoY and comfortably topped estimates by $101 million.
Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CRK)’s natural gas and oil sales, including unrealized hedging losses, were $338.6 million in the first quarter. The company reported an adjusted EBITDAX of $251 million, while its adjusted net income for the quarter came in at $44 million or $0.15 per share. Meanwhile, it generated an operating cash flow of $192 million, or $0.66 per share.
Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CRK) was also recently included in our list of the 10 Stocks to Buy on a Pullback.
While we acknowledge the potential of CRK as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CRK and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best Energy Stocks to Buy Under $20 According to Billionaires.
Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
