The oil & gas sector has been quite bullish over the past few months as Trump won the election. Some stocks have gained significantly after he entered office.
The Stargate announcement has also driven bullish sentiment as the AI data center expansion will drive significant energy demand. They require 24/7 reliable energy sources and data centers alone are expected to consume 500 Twh globally in 2025. This is up 11% from 2024.
Plus, cold U.S. winters and European export demand have lifted natural gas prices from historic lows, and LNG companies have been gaining traction as global gas trade expands.
Trump’s executive orders have also reversed clean energy mandates, so many investors see this as a good sign that things will go well for oil & gas stocks for the next four years. It’s worth looking into the ones that have gained the most, as these companies are the ones spearheading the sector.
An oil rig in the midst of extracting oil and natural gas from the earth, illuminated by the setting sun.
Methodology
For this article, I screened the top-performing oil & gas stocks year-to-date. Stocks that I have covered recently will be excluded from this list.
I will also mention the number of hedge fund investors in these stocks. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds invest in? 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 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here).
15. Texas Pacific Land Corp (NYSE:TPL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: 20
Texas Pacific Land Corporation (NYSE:TPL) owns 880,000 acres in the Permian Basin. It generates revenue through oil and gas royalties. It’s also involved in water services and land leases.
The stock has surged significantly this year. This is mainly due to a 29% YoY increase in Q3 2024 oil and gas royalty production. Plus, it did a 37% dividend hike to $6.40 annually.
It joined the S&P 500 (replacing Marathon Oil).
Recent filings show aggressive expansion into non-oil revenue streams. This includes solar, wind, and data center leases, while its water segment grew revenue to $28.2 million due to a 27.6% increase in volume.
The consensus price target of $1,090 implies 15.97% downside risk.
TPL stock is up 9.97% year-to-date.
14. Cheniere Energy Partners LP (NYSE:CQP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: 4
Cheniere Energy Partners LP (NYSE:CQP) is a midstream energy company that specializes in LNG production.
The stock is up significantly in 2025 as President Trump reversed the Biden administration’s pause on LNG export permits and this has increased confidence in Cheniere’s SPL Expansion Project.
Moreover, Q3 2024 revenue reached $2.06 billion with a net income of $635 million. It also declared a $0.820/unit quarterly distribution (5% yield). Cheniere exported 1,166 TBtu of LNG in the first nine months of 2024, up 4% year-over-year, and the Sabine Pass terminal’s expansion potential positions the company to capitalize on global LNG demand, particularly from Europe and Asia, which make up 38% and 45% of exports, respectively.
The consensus analyst price target of $55 implies 10.37% downside.
CQP stock is up 10.26% year-to-date.
13. USA Compression Partners LP (NYSE:USAC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: 2
USA Compression Partners LP (NYSE:USAC) is a natural gas compression company and has operated as a master limited partnership since its IPO.
The stock is up significantly so far in 2025 due to solid financial performance and natural gas tailwinds. Q3 2024 revenue grew 10.5% year-over-year to $240 million and adjusted EBITDA grew 7% year-over-year to $145.7 million. Full-year guidance was raised to $565 million to $585 million.
Moreover, U.S. LNG capacity is projected to rise from 15 Bcf/d to 44 Bcf/d by 2030. This should boost compression services. Gas output is also expected to increase from oil-focused basins like the Permian to drive infrastructure needs.
The consensus price target of $25 implies 4.32% downside.
The stock is up 11.51% year-to-date.
12. Tetra Technologies Inc (NYSE:TTI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: N/A
Tetra Technologies Inc (NYSE:TTI) is an energy services company. It produces clear brine fluids, additives, and calcium chloride for oil/gas drilling, alongside ultra-pure zinc bromide for battery tech. It also offers water management and production testing for onshore oil/gas operations.
The stock has risen significantly so far in 2025 due to its Q1 2025 revenue hitting $1.42 billion, up 16% year-over-year, with adjusted EPS rising 25% to $0.35.
The backlog grew 15% year-over-year to $5.44 billion. TTI also announced a 12% dividend increase and continued its share buybacks of $25 million in Q1.
It secured a $498 million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contract and launched TETRA Oasis TDS, which is a desalination technology for oil/gas wastewater reuse. A federal lawsuit of $97 million was settled and the guidance for 2025 revenue is now at $4.365 billion to $4.765 billion. That implies 7% growth year-over-year.
The consensus price target of $6.67 implies 60.72% upside.
TTI stock is up 11.56% year-to-date.
11. Forum Energy Technologies Inc (NYSE:FET)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: 5
Forum Energy Technologies Inc (NYSE:FET) makes equipment for oil and gas.
The stock’s 2025 surge is due to FET announcing a $75 million share repurchase program and completing $20 million sale-leaseback transactions to optimize its balance sheet.
It also refinanced debt through a $100 million senior secured bond issuance at 10.5% interest. Plus, management is now projecting $50–$60 million free cash flow for 2025 (21–25% yield at current valuation).
Forum Energy acquired Variperm Energy Services and expanded its Canadian tar sands exposure. As such, it boosted Q3 2024 revenue growth. Sales grew 16% year-over-year to $208 million.
The annual revenue growth is projected at 15% through 2026.
FET stock is up 12.13% year-to-date.
10. National Fuel Gas Co (NYSE:NFG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: 21
National Fuel Gas Co (NYSE:NFG) is a natural gas company. It is a vertically integrated company that lets it control its gas supply chain.
The stock is up significantly so far in 2025 due to solid Q1 FY2025 earnings and a guidance hike. It reported a 14% year-over-year increase in adjusted EPS to $1.66. Moreover, it reported a 35% jump in its Pipeline & Storage income.
EPS guidance was raised to $6.5 to $7, up from $5.5 to $6 due to higher natural gas prices. The company repurchased $34 million in Q1 shares and it has now reached $99 million in total under a $200 million program.
The NY rate case approval allowed the first base rate increase since 2016.
The consensus price target of $72 implies 3.1% upside.
The stock is up 14% year-to-date.
9. Plains GP Holdings LP (NASDAQ:PAGP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: 18
Plains GP Holdings LP (NASDAQ:PAGP) operates midstream energy infrastructure. The company connects production basins like the Permian to refineries and export hubs and handles about 8 million barrels daily.
PAGP stock has gained significantly year-to-date due to strategic acquisitions and capital optimization. On January 7, 2025, Plains announced three bolt-on acquisitions totaling $670 million net. This includes Ironwood Midstream’s Eagle Ford assets and Medallion Midstream’s Delaware Basin operations.
It has also repurchased 18% of its Series A Preferred Units at par ($330 million). As such, it reduced leverage below its 3.25x target. Moreover, Plains GP increased its quarterly distribution by 20% to $0.38/unit (annualized $1.52). Analysts responded positively, with Wolfe Research upgrading to Outperform (PT: $22) and UBS raising its target to $26.
Recent SEC filings show Plains raised $1 billion via 5.95% senior notes due 2035.
The consensus price target of $21.14 implies 0.05% downside.
PAGP stock is up 14.2% year-to-date.
8. Global Partners LP (NYSE:GLP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: 1
Global Partners LP (NYSE:GLP) is a vertically integrated energy distribution company that focuses on gas stations, convenience stores, and LNG terminals.
The stock is up significantly so far this year mostly due to broader market confidence and solid performance so far. Q3 2024 results showed net income of $45.9 million, up 71% year-over-year, along with EBITDA of $119.1 million, up 55% year-over-year. Gross profit also rose to $286 million.
GLP increased its quarterly dividend distribution to $0.74/unit ($2.96 annualized).
In addition, it has acquired 29 terminals since 2023. This includes ExxonMobil’s East Providence terminals. The terminal has 959,730 barrels of storage. It also expanded its EV charging infrastructure in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
The consensus price target of $54 implies 0.33% downside.
GLP stock is up 15.5% year-to-date.
7. MRC Global (NYSE:MRC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: 25
MRC Global (NYSE:MRC) distributes pipes, valves, and fittings. It sells infrastructure products to the oil and gas sector.
The stock is up significantly so far in 2025 due to it announcing a $125 million share repurchase program through 2028 and completing the sale of its Canadian operations to focus more on higher-margin markets.
Plus, it achieved 11% ROE with $75 million in net income (TTM). International sales also grew 21% year-over-year in Q3 2024 to $127 million and bulls expect more positives in its upcoming Q4 report.
The consensus price target of $17.3 implies 18% upside.
MRC stock is up 15.7% year-to-date.
6. DHT Holdings (NYSE:DHT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: 22
DHT Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DHT) operates a fleet of 24 Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). It has a balanced revenue model with 64% of its fleet on fixed-term charters (12–18 months) and the remainder exposed to volatile spot rates.
DHT stock is up significantly so far in 2025 due to solid performance and shareholder-friendly actions.
The company posted Q4 2024 time-charter-equivalent earnings of $38,800/day. Spot rates outperformed fixed charters ($47,200 vs. $38,900/day).
Moreover, DHT repurchased 1.48 million shares (0.9% of outstanding stock) at $8.89/share in December 2024. Forward bookings for Q1 2025 showed 65% of revenue days secured at $35,800/day, which provided near-term cash flow visibility despite the spot rate softening to $31,400/day.
Analysts now expect solid earnings growth in the coming years.
The consensus price target of $11.23 implies 0.8% downside.
DHT stock is up 17.4% year-to-date.
5. Frontline (NYSE:FRO)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: 16
Frontline plc (NYSE:FRO) is a crude oil and refined petroleum transportation company. The fleet includes 75 vessels.
The stock has surged significantly so far in 2025 due to the broader oil and gas market being bullish. Tanker companies like Frontline have been beneficiaries of the global oil supply change after the conflict in Eastern Europe, and with Trump failing to keep his promise of ending it quickly, companies like Frontline are poised to continue benefiting.
The tanker market is very tight, with minimal new vessel deliveries. Only 2% fleet growth is expected in 2025. That’s while global oil demand has continued to grow.
Frontline is one of the most solid tanker companies and has $526 million in available cash and undrawn credit facilities. It also has a dividend yield of 11.26%.
Analysts project 2025 EPS to grow 13.5% year-over-year. They also have a consensus price target of $22.18, implying 28.06% upside.
FRO stock is up 17.9% year-to-date.
4. Clean Energy Fuels (NASDAQ:CLNE)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: 22
Clean Energy Fuels (NASDAQ:CLNE) is the largest renewable natural gas (RNG) provider in North America. RNG offers a 300% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel.
The stock has surged significantly so far in 2025 due to a financial turnaround and breakthrough contract wins with DHL, NICE Transit, and Noble Environmental.
Q3 2024 revenue grew 9% year-over-year to $104.9 million and adjusted EBITDA grew 50% year-over-year to $21.3 million. H1 2024 OCF also turned positive at $21.4 million.
The consensus analyst price target of $5 implies 51% upside.
CLNE stock is up 25.86% year-to-date.
3. Stabilis Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:SLNG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: N/A
Stabilis Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:SLNG) is an energy transition company that specializes in small-scale LNG.
The stock is up significantly so far in 2025 due to the broader energy sector being bullish and its stellar fundamentals.
In Q3 2024, it posted 22% year-over-year LNG sales growth and $2.6 million in adjusted EBITDA (+$2 million year-over-year), along with 73% higher OCF.
This is on top of 45% LNG volume growth and record $2.1 million EBITDA in Q2.
It is also entering other markets and supplies high-purity rocket propellant and has executed its first LNG bunkering operations.
SLNG stock is up 28.5% year-to-date.
2. Prairie Operating Co (NASDAQ:PROP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: N/A
Prairie Operating Co. (NASDAQ:PROP) is an oil and gas company. The company’s operations are focused in the Denver-Julesburg Basin in Colorado.
The stock has surged so far in 2025 after its guidance that projects over 300% production growth. It also forecasts a net income between $69 million and $102 million, along with adjusted EBITDA of $100 million to $140 million.
Prairie Operating Co expects CapEx of $120 million to $130 million to drill 25 to 28 high-return wells in the DJ basin.
Moreover, its $94.5 million acquisition of Nickel Road Operating LLC’s DJ Basin assets added around 2,000 BOEPD of production and is expected to boost cash flow.
PROP stock is up 30.4% year-to-date.
1. Leishen Energy Holding (NASDAQ:LSE)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders In Q3 2024: N/A
Leishen Energy Holding (NASDAQ:LSE) provides clean-energy equipment for the oil and gas industry,
The stock is up significantly so far due to its post-IPO momentum and low float amplifying swings. The quiet period expiration on January 28 also allowed underwriters to initiate coverage and attract retail investors.
The company has had inconsistent revenue growth and thin analyst coverage, but its performance in the stock market has been solid so far.
LSE stock is up 32.5% year-to-date.
While we acknowledge the potential of LSE as an investment, 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 LSE but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey.
