11 Best Natural Gas Stocks To Buy Now

1. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 86 

Topping our list of the Best Natural Gas Stocks to Invest in is Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), one of the largest integrated fuels, lubricants, and chemical companies in the world with operations in more than 60 countries.

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) announced the acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources in a massive $59.5 billion all-stock deal last year. The venture seems to be paying off as the oil major achieved record production in Permian and Guyana and delivered an industry-leading financial performance in 2024, reporting over $33 billion in earnings and $55 billion in cash flow from operations. Exxon’s strong balance sheet allowed it to pay $16.7 billion in dividends and buy back $19.3 billion in stock, reaffirming its plans to spend $20 billion on buybacks per year through at least 2026.

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) announced in December 2024 that its annual project spending will rise to between $28 billion and $33 billion between 2026 and 2030, with a goal of increasing its oil and gas output by 18%. The company has a target of more than tripling its production in the Permian and producing 1.3 million bpd from its highly lucrative operations in Guyana. As a result, XOM is expecting to deliver incremental growth potential of $20 billion in earnings and $30 billion in cash flow by the end of the decade, allowing it to keep its commitment to sustainable, competitive, and growing shareholder returns.

Overall, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) ranks first on our list of the best natural gas stocks to buy now. While we acknowledge the potential for XOM to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than XOM but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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