In this article, we will look at the 8 Best Natural Resources Stocks to Buy Now.
Natural resources stocks are getting more attention as investors revisit energy and mining companies after years of underinvestment, tighter commodity markets, and persistent geopolitical risk. For this list, the focus is on oil and gas exploration and production, integrated oil and gas, and diversified mining. These are not all moving on the same catalyst, but they sit in parts of the market where supply discipline, capital returns, and demand for energy and critical materials matter.
Barings says natural resource equities can provide “inflation protection and portfolio diversification,” while adding that the next phase of global growth will likely be “energy intensive” and create “structural demand for key materials.” J.P. Morgan Asset Management makes a similar point, saying “Resource scarcity and capital discipline” are now more important drivers than simple volume growth, while “valuations remain conservative.” BlackRock also frames the sector as an “effective diversifier,” noting that many mining and energy companies now have “stronger balance sheets” and that “Valuations appear attractive.” In summary, the thesis is not just about higher commodity prices. It is also about companies being more disciplined than in past cycles.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the 8 Best Natural Resources Stocks to Buy Now.
Our Methodology
We used the Finviz screener to identify natural resources stocks that are viewed favorably by analysts. We then limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These stocks are also popular among analysts and elite hedge funds.
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).
8. Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEN)
On May 19, 2026, BofA analyst Saurabh Pant raised the firm’s price target on Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEN) to $13.50 from $12 and maintained a Buy rating on the shares. Pant said BofA updated its oilfield services models following Q1 earnings and 10-Q reports, noting that the firm’s 2027 and 2028 EBITDA forecasts are 10% and 16% above consensus, respectively, on average.
Susquehanna also raised the firm’s price target on Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEN) to $14 from $13 and maintained a Positive rating on the shares. Susquehanna updated its model and raised its Q2 2026 and full-year 2026 estimates following comments at a recent investor conference.
Last month, Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEN) reported Q1 EPS of (6c), compared to the consensus estimate of (10c). Revenue totaled $1.18B, above the consensus estimate of $1.1B. CEO Andy Hendricks said the company delivered “solid operating results” despite a challenging commodity environment. Hendricks also said the second quarter represents a market inflection as commodity prices improve, with the company activating drilling rigs later in Q2 and discussing price increases in Completion Services as demand rises and industry utilization remains high.
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEN) provides drilling and completion services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in the United States, Canada, Colombia, and internationally.
7. Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE:HP)
On May 19, 2026, BofA analyst Saurabh Pant raised the firm’s price target on Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE:HP) to $44 from $41 and maintained a Buy rating on the shares. Pant said BofA updated its oilfield services models following Q1 earnings and 10-Q reports, noting that the firm’s 2027 and 2028 EBITDA forecasts are 10% and 16% above consensus, respectively, on average.
Piper Sandler analyst Derek Podhaizer also raised the firm’s price target on Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE:HP) to $43 from $41 and maintained an Overweight rating on the shares. Podhaizer said the Energy Security theme dominated management commentary during Q1 earnings season, while Piper Sandler noted that the group setup remains positive as U.S. Land, International, and Offshore activity continue moving in the right direction.
Earlier in May, Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE:HP) reported Q1 EPS of (38c), compared to the consensus estimate of (2c). Revenue totaled $932M, versus the consensus estimate of $949.64M. President and CEO Trey Adams said H&P delivered “solid operational performance,” reflecting the resilience of its core business and disciplined execution.
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE:HP) provides drilling solutions and technologies for oil and gas exploration and production companies.
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