In this article, we will take a look at the 12 Best Performing Energy Stocks to Buy Now.
As the United States looks at rising power demand and attempts to bolster its grid to meet the demands of artificial intelligence data centers, some energy sub-sectors appear to be undergoing interesting developments, including battery power storage, one of the key technologies required for grid stability, which might witness a slowdown in momentum.
Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act kept the energy storage industry’s full tax credits in place until the end of 2032, though the industry is also governed by stringent “foreign entity of concern” regulations that prevent incentives from going to projects that are owned or controlled by particular nations, such as China.
Broadly speaking, energy stocks outperformed the market and kept the S&P 500 up early on July 28 after the European Union announced over the weekend that European businesses would purchase about $750 billion worth of US energy products, including gas and oil, over the next three years as part of a draft EU-US trade agreement. Nevertheless, some of the early robust increases in these US energy stocks have faded amid growing doubt that the EU could achieve such a high target for US energy imports.
Our Methodology
For this list, we used stock screeners and identified energy stocks that were popular among elite hedge funds and favored by analysts. We then checked their year-to-date performance and selected the 12 best performing stocks from our initial pool. The names on this list appear in ascending order of their year-to-date performance, as of July 30.
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 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
12. Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB)
Year-to-Date Performance: 4.63%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 34
Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) ranks among the best performing energy stocks to buy now. On July 23, Jefferies raised its price target for Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) from C$65 to C$72, upgrading the stock from Hold to Buy. Jefferies noted Enbridge’s “widest opportunity set across both oil and gas pipelines,” which gives the company a great deal of flexibility to explore a range of projects and boosts confidence in its EBITDA growth potential.
According to Jefferies, Enbridge’s primary assets that put the company in a favorable competitive position include its ownership of the TETCO pipeline system, its leading role in the transportation of crude oil in Canada, and its growing presence in the Permian Basin.
Despite admitting that “the magnitude of the gap isn’t incredibly wide,” Jefferies stated it favors Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) due to its stronger screening across a number of key metrics.
Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) is a midstream energy company that specializes in the distribution and transportation of natural gas, oil, and natural gas liquids.
11. MPLX LP (NYSE:MPLX)
Year-to-Date Performance: 6.46%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 12
MPLX LP (NYSE:MPLX) ranks among the best performing energy stocks to buy now. In anticipation of MPLX LP (NYSE:MPLX)’s second-quarter results report, which is set for August 5, RBC Capital reaffirmed its Outperform rating and $58 price target on the company’s shares on July 3. Following talks with investor relations, RBC Capital analyst Elvira Scotto reduced the company’s quarterly projections, pointing out that both headwinds and tailwinds will impact upcoming results.
Even with the revised forecasts, RBC Capital considers MPLX LP (NYSE:MPLX) to be one of the most alluring yield bets inside its covered universe. The firm emphasized that MPLX currently has a yield of over 7%, which RBC expects to grow by 12.5% in the upcoming few years.
Founded in 2012 by Marathon Petroleum Corporation, MPLX LP (NYSE:MPLX) owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure alongside logistics assets and offers fuels distribution services.
10. The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB)
Year-to-Date Performance: 6.84%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 72
The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB) ranks among the best performing energy stocks to buy now. On July 16, Stifel maintained its $63 price target for The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB) and reaffirmed its Buy rating on the natural gas infrastructure provider. The firm revised its Williams Companies financial predictions, which mostly affected projections for the second quarter of 2025. These adjustments impact the company’s West and Exploration & Production (E&P) the most.
According to Stifel, its model changes take into consideration cost and commodity benefits that were achieved in the first quarter of 2025 but are unlikely to persist into the second quarter.
These quarterly modifications do not affect Stifel’s 2026 projections for The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB), which the firm states are “essentially unchanged.”
The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB) is an American energy company that specializes in natural gas processing and transportation. The company also has some petroleum and electricity generation assets.
9. Hess Midstream LP (NYSE:HESM)
Year-to-Date Performance: 7.16%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 22
Hess Midstream LP (NYSE:HESM) ranks among the best performing energy stocks to buy now. On July 25, Morgan Stanley resumed covering Hess Midstream LP (NYSE:HESM) with an Equalweight rating and a $48 price target. The update follows the merger between HESM sponsor Hess Corporation and Chevron. Chevron is now the general partner and dominant stakeholder, holding 79.4 million Class A shares, or 37.8% of the equity interest.
According to Morgan Stanley, the key concern for Hess Midstream LP (NYSE:HESM) is whether Chevron will buy the remaining part or keep it as a separate midstream company.
According to the firm, a possible takeover wouldn’t likely have a major financial impact on Chevron, although it might streamline the company’s organizational structure and grant the oil giant more direct control over midstream activities.
Hess Midstream LP (NYSE:HESM) is a midstream energy company that specializes in fee-based gathering, processing, storage, and terminal services. Based in Texas, the company operates in the Bakken and Three Forks shale areas.
8. Baker Hughes Company (NASDAQ:BKR)
Year-to-Date Performance: 12.26%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 50
Baker Hughes Company (NASDAQ:BKR) ranks among the best performing energy stocks to buy now. Stifel maintained its Buy rating on Baker Hughes Company (NASDAQ:BKR) while raising its price target to $50 from $49 after the company’s second-quarter 2025 performance. With adjusted earnings per share of $0.63, the company exceeded the $0.56 expectation. Additionally, Baker Hughes Company (NASDAQ:BKR) surpassed the $6.63 billion forecast with $6.91 billion in revenues.
Stifel highlighted a number of reasons for its optimism, including a healthy backlog of orders for Industrial & Energy Technology (IET) equipment and early signs of rising data center demand.
In addition, the firm noted that Gas Tech Services provides strong long-term prospects, strengthened by a sizable and growing installed base and robust IET margin growth.
Baker Hughes Company (NASDAQ:BKR), one of the biggest oil field services, industrial, and energy technology firms in the world, offers goods and services to the oil and gas sector for exploration and production as well as other industrial and energy applications.
7. Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. (NYSE:SEI)
Year-to-Date Performance: 12.93%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31
Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. (NYSE:SEI) ranks among the best performing energy stocks to buy now. On July 24, Raymond James maintained its Outperform rating on Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. (NYSE:SEI) and increased its price target to $41 from $38 after the company topped its second-quarter earnings.
For the second quarter of 2025, Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. (NYSE:SEI) surpassed both Raymond James’ and the Street’s projections of $51.7 million and $52.6 million, respectively, with an adjusted EBITDA of $60.6 million. The Power Solutions segment of the company, which produced adjusted EBITDA of $45.7 million, was considered the main driver of the earnings beat.
Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. (NYSE:SEI) has shifted its focus to power in the last year and is constructing a fleet of 1.7 GW gas turbines, according to Raymond James. Contracts for 75% of the company’s pro forma fleet have already been obtained, and a joint venture agreement has been formed for its installations.
Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. (NYSE:SEI) is a manufacturer of patented mobile proppant management systems that store, unload, and deliver proppant to oil and gas well locations.
6. EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT)
Year-to-Date Performance: 13.19%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 91
EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT) ranks among the best performing energy stocks to buy now. While reiterating a Neutral rating on EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT), Piper Sandler raised its price target to $49 from $48 on July 27. Citing EQT’s advantageous position to capitalize on Appalachia’s long-term gas demand, the firm stated that by fiscal year 2029, it expects to realize $250 million in free cash flow uplift from newly announced gas supply contracts and other infrastructure investments.
According to Piper Sandler, this benefit comes with significant upfront expenditures, as EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT) intends to invest $1 billion in infrastructure, mostly in fiscal years 2027 and 2028, in order to attain its projected free cash flow gains.
The firm voiced concerns on the near-term fundamentals of natural gas, pointing out that the company may face challenges due to a robust domestic supply and a strong seasonal storage build.
EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT) is a prominent U.S. natural gas producer that concentrates its midstream and production operations in the Appalachian Basin.
5. Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO)
Year-to-Date Performance: 15.28%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 55
Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) ranks among the best performing energy stocks to buy now. Raymond James kept its Strong Buy rating on Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) and reduced its price target from $172 to $170 on July 24. Despite a complex and possibly turbulent near-term macroeconomic outlook, the firm believes Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) remains well-positioned to benefit from strong long-term U.S. refining conditions. Raymond James predicts a stronger refining scenario in 2026 and beyond, with renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel offering additional tailwinds over the same period.
Regardless of whether momentum in the refining industry may be waning, the firm notes that Valero’s focused low-cost strategy has placed the company at the forefront of the sector.
Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) is an American downstream petroleum company that is mainly involved in the production and distribution of transportation fuels, along with other petrochemical products and power.
4. Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK)
Year-to-Date Performance: 22.65%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 21
Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) ranks among the best performing energy stocks to buy now. Mizuho kept its Outperform rating on Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) and increased its price target from $23 to $27 on July 10. The firm expects Delek US to report earnings that are marginally below current consensus estimates, with EBITDA and EPS falling 3% and 8%, respectively.
Mizuho emphasized the ongoing advancement of the company’s Enterprise Optimization Plan, which currently focuses on enhancements at the El Dorado facility, and highlighted advantages in Delek’s refining segment brought about by larger crack spreads. In the report, the firm also cited the ongoing Midstream deconsolidation as a benefit of Delek’s sum-of-the-parts (SOTP) initiatives.
Mizuho pointed to a possible EPA ruling on Small Refinery Exemptions as a major boost for Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK), pointing out that the company has significant claims relative to its market capitalization.
Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) is a downstream energy company that runs renewable fuel plants, four inland refineries, factories that produce asphalt, and logistical facilities.
3. Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE:UEC)
Year-to-Date Performance: 33.18%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31
Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE:UEC) ranks among the best performing energy stocks to buy now. Analysts at BMO Capital began covering Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE:UEC) earlier in June with an Outperform rating and a $7.75 price target. The analysts emphasized the company’s strategic position as a U.S.-listed uranium producer and developer with an asset portfolio centered on North America.
BMO Capital cited Uranium Energy Corp’s “hub and spoke” development model, which is renowned for having a low capital intensity. The model is expected to offer flexibility in both production and funding, especially when paired with a solid balance sheet that displays more cash than debt and a strong current ratio of 10.11.
The firm also highlighted Uranium Energy Corp’s marketing strategy, which seeks to collect uranium prices near the spot market.
A uranium mining and exploration company, Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE:UEC) focuses on low-cost, eco-friendly in-situ recovery (ISR) activities. The company operates two ISR hub-and-spoke production systems in Wyoming and South Texas.
2. CVR Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CVI)
Year-to-Date Performance: 48.08%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 20
CVR Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CVI) ranks among the best performing energy stocks to buy now. On July 15, Mizuho maintained its Neutral rating on CVR Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CVI) while increasing its price objective from $25 to $30. The price target hike came despite Mizuho’s prediction that CVR Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CVI) would fall short of second-quarter consensus projections for both EBITDA and earnings per share.
The firm blamed the expected loss on refining assumptions, stating that consensus forecasts are “more optimistic about margin capture,” and on the company’s Fertilizers and Renewable Diesel sectors having slightly lower-than-average estimates.
Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, CVR Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CVI) is a diversified holding company that focuses on renewable fuels, petroleum refining and marketing, and producing nitrogen fertilizer through its ownership in CVR Partners, LP.
1. Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU)
Year-to-Date Performance: 261.81%
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 23
Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU) ranks among the best performing energy stocks to buy now. UBS began coverage of Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU) on July 21 with a price target of $215 and a Neutral rating. The investment bank believes Centrus is in a solid position to profit from the nuclear industry’s legislative tailwinds, a greater focus on domestic supply chains, and a significant rise in electricity load.
In contrast to the consensus forecast of a 7.7% tumble, UBS predicts Centrus’ earnings per share to rise at a 10.9% two-year compound annual growth rate from 2025–2027, driven by increased near-term prices for enrichment services.
While UBS credits Centrus’ premium valuation to short-term anticipation for a U.S. nuclear rebirth, the firm warns that, given that nuclear infrastructure is dated, progress in building it will probably be uneven.
Centrus Energy Corp. (NYSE:LEU) is a Maryland-based supplier of nuclear fuel components and services that operates under two business categories: Low-Enriched Uranium and Technical Solutions.
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