During periods of high oil prices or increased demand for energy, oil stocks can offer the potential for significant returns. These stocks are also often viewed as a hedge against inflation and are known for their dividend-paying potential.
If you're interested in investing in the oil and gas industry, here are 10 top oil stocks to buy.
Compare top oil stocks to buy right now
Stock
YTD Return
Industry
Company Description
Buy Now
Valero Energy Corporation (VLO)
45.4%
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing
Involved in refining crude oil into various petroleum products and operating a large network of gas stations.
An upstream oil and gas company focused on exploring and producing crude oil and natural gas. They operate in the US, Egypt and the North Sea, with additional exploration projects in Suriname.
A midstream energy company that focuses on natural gas transportation, processing and storage. They operate pipelines and related infrastructure across North America.
A global integrated oil and gas company with operations in upstream exploration and production, as well as downstream refining, marketing and petrochemicals.
Source: Finviz. Returns accurate as of December 3, 2025.
How we chose these oil stocks
The listed stocks are the best-performing S&P 500 oil and gas companies ordered by year-to-date performance, with an analyst rating of Buy or better, sourced using Finviz.
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Take a deeper dive into oil stocks
If you're interested in investing in the oil and gas industry, take a closer look at what companies in this industry do and how the stocks have historically performed. Keep in mind that positive past performance doesn't guarantee that a stock will continue to rise in the future.
1. Valero Energy Corporation (VLO)
Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol. The company produces California Reformulated Gasoline Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending (CARBOB) and Conventional Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending (CBOB) gasolines, CARB diesel, diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, and asphalt; feedstocks; aromatics; sulfur and residual fuel oil; intermediate oils; and sulfur, sweet, and sour crude oils.
Valero Energy Corporation stock opened the day at $179.02 after a previous close of $178.53. The latest price was $177.05 (25-minute delay). Valero Energy Corporation is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD116.6 billion and employs 9,898 staff.
Marathon Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated downstream energy company in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Refining & Marketing; Midstream; and Renewable Diesel. The Refining & Marketing segment refines crude oil and other feedstocks at its refineries in the Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent, and West Coast regions of the United States; and purchases refined products and ethanol for resale and distributes refined products through transportation, storage, distribution, and marketing services.
Marathon Petroleum stock opened the day at $193.26 after a previous close of $192.70. The latest price was $189.43 (25-minute delay). Marathon Petroleum is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$133.6 billion and employs 18,300 staff.
EQT Corporation engages in the production, gathering, and transmission of natural gas. The company sells natural gas and natural gas liquids to marketers, utilities, and industrial customers located in the Appalachian Basin. It also provides marketing services and contractual pipeline capacity management services, as well as involved in risk management and hedging activities.
EQT Corporation stock opened the day at $0.00 after a previous close of $0.00. The latest price was $0.00 (25-minute delay). EQT Corporation is listed on the NYSE and has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$7.7 billion.
Expand Energy Corporation operates as an independent natural gas production company in the United States. The company engages in acquisition, exploration, and development of properties to produce oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. It holds interests in the Marcellus Shale in the northern Appalachian Basin in Pennsylvania; the Marcellus and Utica Shales in Ohio and West Virginia; and the Haynesville and Bossier Shales in Louisiana.
Expand Energy Corporation stock opened the day at $0.00 after a previous close of $0.00. The latest price was $0.00 (25-minute delay). Expand Energy Corporation is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$10.8 billion and employs 1,500 staff.
Baker Hughes Company provides a portfolio of technologies and services to energy and industrial value chain worldwide. The company operates through Oilfield Services & Equipment (OFSE) and Industrial & Energy Technology (IET) segments. The OFSE segment designs and manufactures products and provides related services, including exploration, appraisal, development, production, rejuvenation, and decommissioning for onshore and offshore oilfield operations.
Baker Hughes stock opened the day at $49.85 after a previous close of $49.48. The latest price was $50.49 (25-minute delay). Baker Hughes is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$27.7 billion and employs 57,000 staff.
Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates through five segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, Marketing and Specialties (M&S), and Renewable Fuels. The Midstream segment transports crude oil and other feedstocks; delivers refined petroleum products to market; provides terminaling and storage services for crude oil and refined petroleum products; gathers, processes, transports, and markets natural gas; transports, fractionates, markets, and exports natural gas liquids.
Phillips 66 stock opened the day at $138.34 after a previous close of $137.57. The latest price was $139.85 (25-minute delay). Phillips 66 is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$132 billion and employs 13,200 staff.
Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware Basin located in southeast New Mexico and west Texas, Eagle Ford located in North America, Anadarko Basin located in western Oklahoma, Williston Basin located in North Dakota, and Powder River Basin located in Wyoming. Devon Energy Corporation was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. . . . .
Devon Energy Corporation stock opened the day at $37.58 after a previous close of $37.26. The latest price was $37.69 (25-minute delay). Devon Energy Corporation is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$16.6 billion and employs 2,300 staff.
APA Corporation, an independent energy company, explores for, develops, and produces natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids. It has oil and gas operations in the United States, Egypt, and North Sea. The company also has exploration and appraisal activities in Suriname, as well as holds interests in projects located in Uruguay and internationally.
APA Corporation stock opened the day at $25.70 after a previous close of $25.45. The latest price was $26.95 (25-minute delay). APA Corporation is listed on the NASDAQ, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$9.4 billion and employs 2,305 staff.
The Williams Companies, Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in the United States. It operates through Transmission & Gulf of America, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services segments.
Williams Companies stock opened the day at $60.43 after a previous close of $60.21. The latest price was $61.55 (25-minute delay). Williams Companies is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$11.6 billion and employs 5,829 staff.
Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States, Guyana, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, France, and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.
Exxon Mobil stock opened the day at $115.95 after a previous close of $115.38. The latest price was $117.80 (25-minute delay). Exxon Mobil is listed on the NYSE, has a trailing 12-month revenue of around USD$326.2 billion and employs 61,000 staff.
While it’s possible to turn a profit investing in oil stocks, keep in mind that — like any investment — oil stocks are not immune to risk. These stocks are subject to fluctuating conditions — both in the market and in the oil and gas industry, so carefully vet your picks before you invest. And if you’re new to investing, or if it’s been awhile since you’ve taken a critical look at your investing accounts, compare brokers to make sure you’re getting the best features in your trading account.
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