In this article, we will explore the 8 Most Undervalued Oil Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.
The US-Iran war has propelled oil prices higher, and if political commentary is anything to go by, the prices could stay higher for longer than previously anticipated. On March 10, HSBC analysts raised their average 2026 oil price forecasts. Brent forecast was raised from $65 to $80 while the WTI Crude Oil price forecast was raised from $61 to $76.
Even the US Energy Information Administration increased its average Brent price forecast for 2026 from $58 to $79. This is a 36% increase, but one that is fully justified in times of regional conflict. Currently, oil prices are hovering around $95, and it is anybody’s guess how the conflict will play out from here.
Analysts at Goldman Sachs pointed out the impact of higher oil prices on S&P 500 earnings. If real US GDP growth were to decline by 1%, S&P 500 EPS would fall by 3% to 4%, according to analysts. Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM US LLP, also echoed a similar sentiment:
As prices rise, consumption is affected, and, ultimately, corporate earnings erode.
But, on the other side, there’s a positive element here. Energy stocks could register double-digit earnings growth on the back of higher oil prices. This may not offset the S&P 500’s losses, as energy accounts for less than 5% of the index’s earnings, but there is nonetheless growth in the energy sector.
To benefit from this growth, we decided to look at oil and gas stocks trading at favorable valuations, providing investors with a reasonable margin of safety to counter negative sentiment in the broader market.
Our Methodology
To come up with our list of the 10 most undervalued oil stocks to buy according to analysts, we looked at oil and gas companies with a minimum market cap of $2 billion. We then filtered out companies trading at a forward P/E below 15 and limited our final selection to companies that had recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These stocks are also popular among analysts and elite hedge funds, and are listed in ascending order of their potential upside.
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).
Note: All share price data in the article is as per market close on March 13.
8. Crescent Energy Company (NYSE:CRGY)
Mark Lear from Piper Sandler increased the firm’s price target on Crescent Energy Company (NYSE:CRGY) from $14 to $16 while keeping an Overweight rating on March 12. The firm’s upwardly adjusted price target implies an additional 33% upside from current levels. The firm has revised its price target on the stock upward twice so far in March, first on March 5 and again on March 12. Both upward revisions were based on the same geopolitical backdrop. The conflict involving Iran has increased risks to the global energy supply and strengthened the investment case for energy equities.
The price target revision reflects the firm’s higher commodity price assumptions. Piper Sandler said it has increased its mid-cycle crude oil forecast to $75 per barrel from $70 per barrel. The change came as the conflict involving Iran raised concerns about global oil supply. The analyst expects the situation to have longer-lasting disruptions to global oil supply. According to the firm, higher oil prices may be needed to encourage continued investment in production, especially as supply risks remain elevated.
According to a report released on March 6, Siebert Williams Shank & Co analyst Gabriele Sorbara also reaffirmed a Buy rating on Crescent Energy Company (NYSE:CRGY), along with the price target of $18.
Crescent Energy Company (NYSE:CRGY) is an energy company with a portfolio of oil and gas assets in Texas and the Rocky Mountain region. The company is based in Houston, Texas.
7. YPF Sociedad Anónima (NYSE:YPF)
Lilyanna Yang from HSBC increased the firm’s price target on YPF Sociedad Anónima (NYSE:YPF) from $36 to $40 while reiterating a Hold rating on March 12. According to the firm, the price target revision reflects its updated outlook for oil prices, as it now sees greater upside risks in the crude market. Based on this view, HSBC raised its estimates for several Latin American oil companies under its coverage, including YPF.
Earlier, on March 5, Jefferies analyst Alejandro Demichelis also reaffirmed a Buy rating on YPF Sociedad Anónima (NYSE:YPF), along with the price target of $47. The firm’s price target suggests a further 25.4% upside from the current levels.
YPF Sociedad Anónima (NYSE:YPF) repurchased Class XXX notes worth 49.8 billion Argentine pesos between March 3 and March 9. The amount is equal to a par value of $35.5 million. The company said peso‑denominated notes were repurchased at an average price of 98.83% of their nominal value. These notes mature in July 2026, and the company will keep the repurchased securities in its portfolio.
YPF Sociedad Anónima (NYSE:YPF) is an energy company operating in Argentina. The company is involved in upstream and downstream gas and oil activities. It was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
6. Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET)
Robert Kad from Morgan Stanley increased the firm’s price target on Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) from $19 to $21 while maintaining an Equal Weight rating on March 10. The update was issued as part of the firm’s weekly review of North American midstream and renewable energy infrastructure companies.
Analyst sentiment has been largely positive after Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) reported its fourth-quarter results on February 17. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter reached $4.2 billion, compared with $3.9 billion in the same period last year. Distributable cash flow (DCF) attributable to partners came in at around $2 billion, which was in line with the prior-year quarter. The NGL and refined products segment generated adjusted EBITDA of $1.1 billion. This figure included a one-time $56 million increase linked to a regulatory order. However, the gain was largely offset by a $58 million timing-related decline and a $14 million impact from loading delays at Nederland terminals.
Among the other business segments, midstream operations reported adjusted EBITDA of $720 million, while the crude oil segment recorded $722 million. The interstate natural gas segment delivered $523 million, and the intrastate natural gas segment contributed $355 million.
Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) is a midstream energy company that delivers energy services across 44 states. It specializes in transportation and storage of natural gas, crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and refined products. The company operates storage facilities and an extensive network of intrastate natural gas transportation pipelines.
5. Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE:AR)
On March 13, Goldman Sachs raised the price target on Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE:AR) stock from $39 to $44. Prior to that, on March 5, Benchmark analyst Subash Chandra upgraded Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE:AR) from Hold to Buy and assigned a price target of $44. The analyst noted that the shares have significantly underperformed other oil and gas producers, largely because natural gas prices pulled back from multi-year highs as supply increased. Analyst Subash Chandra said he is not trying to call a bottom in natural gas prices, but his outlook on natural gas exporters is turning more positive. According to the analyst, the conflict involving Iran could increase demand for reliable energy suppliers, which may benefit exporters from the United States. He also pointed out that the United States is the third-largest exporter of propane behind Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, both located in the region affected by conflict.
Subash Chandra further explained that natural gas liquids (NLGs) make up a smaller portion of Antero Resources Corporation’s (NYSE:AR) business following its acquisition of HG Energy II. Even so, the company remains the largest publicly traded NGL exporter. He said that Antero’s dry gas operations could deliver a lower breakeven cost while maintaining favorable pricing dynamics, supported by the company’s access to the LNG export corridor.
Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE:AR) is an independent oil and natural gas company that develops, produces, explores, and acquires natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and oil properties in the U.S.
4. Gulfport Energy Corporation (NYSE:GPOR)
UBS analyst Josh Silverstein increased the firm’s price target on Gulfport Energy Corporation (NYSE:GPOR) from $264 to $267 while keeping a Buy rating on March 5. The firm highlighted that the energy sector continues to offer an attractive risk/reward profile. The increase in the price target is based on higher 2026 oil price assumptions. WTI is projected at $68 per barrel and Brent at $72 per barrel, representing a $10-per-barrel uplift. It must be added, however, that oil prices are currently hovering around the $100 mark, so future forecast revisions can be expected.
Additionally, the firm also incorporated a modest expansion of the company’s valuation multiple, influenced by geopolitical risks affecting global energy markets. According to the analyst, markets appear to be underestimating the potential impact of a prolonged Middle East conflict and possible disruptions to Qatar’s gas supply. These events could raise both oil and natural gas prices and offer the greatest free cash flow upside for the companies that produce both commodities.
Based on the Q4 2025 earnings report released on February 25, Gulfport Energy Corporation (NYSE:GPOR) closed the year with a leverage ratio of 0.9x and liquidity of $806 million. During the quarter, the company repurchased 665,000 shares for about $135 million. Since the start of its share buyback program, the company has repurchased approximately 7.4 million shares, with an average purchase price of $125.19.
Gulfport Energy Corporation (NYSE:GPOR) is involved in the production, acquisition, and exploration of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids across the United States. The company was founded in 1997 and is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
3. TORM plc (NASDAQ:TRMD)
On March 10, TORM plc (NASDAQ:TRMD) disclosed that Oaktree Capital Group was now a major shareholder of the company, owning 23.39% of the firm’s total share capital. This shareholding is likely going to shape the company’s corporate strategy going forward.
On February 27, Evercore ISI analyst Jonathan Chappell reiterated an Outperform rating on TORM plc (NASDAQ:TRMD). The analyst also increased the firm’s price target on the stock from $28 to $34.
TORM plc (NASDAQ:TRMD) announced its full-year 2025 results on February 26, reporting strong operational performance despite a challenging geopolitical environment. Global trade was disrupted, and energy flows shifted, creating challenges for the shipping sector. The company highlighted that its resilient business model, strong corporate culture, and integrated platform are key competitive advantages. These factors, it said, reinforce TORM plc’s (NASDAQ:TRMD) position as a dependable leader in the product tanker market.
For the full year, the company generated time charter equivalent (TCE) earnings of USD 910 million. Adjusted EBITDA for the year was USD 578 million. Net profit fell to USD 286 million, compared with USD 612 million in 2024. This decline was mainly due to lower average TCE rates, which dropped to USD 28,783 per day. The company ended the year with positive momentum in the fourth quarter. It also maintained a high dividend payout ratio of 74% for 2025. Looking ahead, TORM plc (NASDAQ:TRMD) expressed confidence in a favorable market environment for 2026.
TORM plc (NASDAQ:TRMD) is a shipping company. The company operates and owns a fleet of product tankers. The company operates through the Tanker and Marine Engineering segments. It was founded by Ditlev E. Torm and Christian Schmiegelow in 1889.
2. Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE)
On March 12, Piper Sandler raised its price target on Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE) shares from $136 to $138. The firm expects crude oil supply chain issues to persist and has increased its mid-cycle crude oil price expectation to $75 per barrel from $70.
Prior to the above, multiple analysts updated their bullish stance on the stock. Benchmark increased its price target on Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE) while reaffirming a Buy rating on March 5. The firm’s analyst Subash Chandra raised the firm’s price target on the stock from $112 to $124, and highlighted that the company’s reserves grew organically by 24% last year. This growth was mainly driven by positive performance revisions. Benchmark also said that its forecast assumes reserves will remain at similar levels, while gas price realizations are expected to rise in the future.
On the same day as the Benchmark update, Piper Sandler also issued a rating on Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE). Piper Sandler analyst Mark Lear lowered the firm’s price target on EXE from $137 to $136 while keeping a Neutral rating. The firm said the rotation trade received a boost this week, as the conflict with Iran has put around 20% of global oil, gas, and product supply at risk. Although the geopolitical situation has drawn attention away from the companies’ fourth-quarter results and fiscal 2026 outlook, Piper Sandler expects minimal changes from U.S. operators despite the ongoing tensions.
Expand Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:EXE) is an independent natural gas production company operating in the United States. It is involved in the exploration, acquisition, and development of properties to produce natural gas, oil, and natural gas liquids. The company is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
1. Mach Natural Resources LP (NYSE:MNR)
On March 16, Tim Rezvan of KeyBanc maintained his Hold rating on the Mach Natural Resources LP (NYSE:MNR) stock. On the same day, Northland Securities’ Jeff Grampp maintained his Buy rating and the price target of $20. This price target offers a further 47% upside from here on.
Mach Natural Resources announced its Q4 2025 results on March 13, reporting a revenue of $388 million. Oil and Gas accounted for $331 million of this amount, with 42% from oil sales, 44% from gas, and natural gas liquids accounting for the rest.
Going forward, the company intends to maintain its current reinvestment rate while also nudging barrels of oil equivalent (Boe) higher. In the last quarter, the firm reported 154,000 Boe per day, with 68% of it coming from natural gas alone. At the end of the year, the company sat on reserves of over 705 million Boe.
Mach Natural Resources LP (NYSE:MNR) is an upstream oil & gas company that acquires oil and gas reserves and then develops and produces related products. The company’s current operations span across Oklahoma, Southern Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado.
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