In this article, we are going to discuss the energy stocks that are losing this week.
The S&P 500 Energy index slid by over 2.9% between December 10 and December 17, driven primarily by the decline in crude oil and natural gas prices over the last few days.
Global crude oil prices fell to their lowest since February 2021 this week on the back of oversupply issues and a potential peace deal in the Russia-Ukraine war, which would eventually allow the Putin administration to export its oil without fears of any Western sanctions. Moreover, according to the recent jobs data report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment in the US rose to its highest since 2021, which could also be a factor in slowing down the oil demand.
US natural gas futures have also slumped by over 26% since hitting their 3-year high earlier this month, primarily due to record-high production, ample storage supplies, and forecasts of above-average temperatures heading into Christmas, which may reduce heating demand.
Our Methodology
To collect data for this article, we used several stock screeners to identify energy stocks that declined the most between December 10 and December 17, 2025. The following are the Energy Stocks that Lost the Most This Week. The stocks are ranked according to their share price decline during this period.
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10. Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO)
Share Price Decline Between Dec. 10 – Dec. 17: 7.44%
Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) is the world’s premier independent petroleum refiner and a leading producer of low-carbon transportation fuels.
Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) took a hit on December 12 when Mizuho analyst Nitin Kumar downgraded it from ‘Outperform’ to ‘Neutral’, driven by the stock’s ‘above peer valuation’ and the potential for weaker refining cracks. That said, the analyst increased VLO’s price target from $190 to $192, representing an upside potential of almost 18% from its current share price. Mizuho expects a ‘more muted’ outlook for the refining sector next year, with weaker margins, as many projects that should have been finished this year have been delayed till 2026.
Earlier on December 11, BofA also downgraded Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) from ‘Buy’ to ‘Neutral’, and also reduced its price target from $198 to $195.
9. Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS)
Share Price Decline Between Dec. 10 – Dec. 17: 10.68%
Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) is a leading deepwater exploration and production company focused on meeting the world’s growing demand for energy.
On December 12, Mizuho analyst William Janela lowered the firm’s price target on Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) from $2 to $1.50, but maintained a ‘Neutral’ rating on its shares. The adjustment comes as the analyst’s firm updated its ratings and targets in the exploration and production sector as part of its 2026 outlook. While the American oil and gas sector is currently witnessing a downside on the back of oversupply issues and high gas storage, the analyst sees ‘underappreciated value’, particularly in the exploration and production group.
Earlier on December 5, BofA analyst Matthew Smith also double-downgraded Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) from ‘Buy’ to ‘Underperform’, while also significantly reducing its price target from $3.4 to $1. The downgrade comes after the analyst firm trimmed its Brent oil price forecasts for 2026 and 2027 to $60 and $62 per barrel, respectively.
Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) had a scare on December 10 following reports that the Senegalese government is planning to nationalize the Yakaar-Teranga project, one of the world’s largest gas discoveries in recent years. Kosmos operates the project, and the energy operator also owns a 90% stake in it. However, the company later confirmed that the Senegalese energy ministry has no intentions of nationalizing the gas field. Kosmos also added that it will return its license for the project by July 2026 if it fails to find a new partner.
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