In this article, we discuss the 12 best crude oil stocks to buy as tensions rise. To skip the detailed analysis of the crude oil market, go directly to the 5 Best Crude Oil Stocks To Buy.

Amid the bear market of 2022, oil stocks stood out as some of the few success stories. While inflation negatively impacted consumer spending and business sentiment, it had a positive effect on the price of crude oil. Additionally, Russia's invasion of Ukraine further boosted the performance of oil stocks, which managed to achieve significant gains, despite the S&P 500 index's approximately 20% loss for the year. However, 2023 tells a different tale. Crude oil prices have experienced a substantial decrease, nearly halving from their 2022 peak at around $120 per barrel. As a consequence, oil stocks have faced challenges in the current year.

With that said, oil prices had already climbed to nearly $98 per barrel in mid-September following the decision by Saudi Arabia and Russia to extend their voluntary production cuts until the end of the year. This move, along with dwindling crude oil and distillate inventories, had drawn considerable attention and pushed prices higher. According to the IEA Oil Market Report (OMR), the market began to focus on the possibility of "higher for longer" interest rates that might impede economic and demand growth. However, as October began, benchmark Brent futures experienced a significant drop of over $12 per barrel, falling to $84 per barrel. This shift was due to concerns about deteriorating macroeconomic indicators and signs of demand decline in the United States, exemplified by a sharp drop in gasoline deliveries to their lowest levels in two decades.

In addition, the recent surge in geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, a region responsible for more than a third of the world's seaborne oil trade, has left financial markets on edge. Following Hamas' unexpected attack on Israel on October 7, traders wasted no time factoring in a risk premium of $3-4 per barrel as markets opened. Since then, oil prices have somewhat stabilized, with Brent futures trading at approximately $87 per barrel at the time of this writing. While there hasn't been a direct impact on physical oil supply, markets will remain in a state of anticipation as the crisis continues to unfold.

On the other hand, data from China has shown positive signs as the year persisted. In a September report, the research firm Wood Mackenzie predicted that 2023 would mark another year of robust post-COVID recovery. The company anticipates a 2.0 million barrels per day increase in global oil demand for the year, only slightly below the figures from 2022. Wood Mackenzie noted that, despite growth uncertainties, China would be a significant contributor to this expansion, rebounding from the extensive pandemic-related lockdowns experienced in the previous year. Currently, global demand is hitting a new record high, surpassing 102 million barrels per day.

In today's market, crude oil stocks may exhibit volatility, yet several of them continue to stand out as some of the most profitable companies globally, providing decent shareholder returns. A few notable crude oil stocks that warrant investors' attention include Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY), and Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB).

Aerial view of a major oil rig in the middle of the sea, pumping crude oil.

Our Methodology

For our list of the best crude oil stocks to invest in, we have chosen the most noteworthy crude oil companies that are operating in the energy sector. We have organized the list based on the hedge fund sentiment regarding these stocks, as determined from Insider Monkey's database, which tracks 910 top-tier hedge funds as of the close of the second quarter of 2023.

12. Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 28

Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) is a multinational energy and pipeline company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The company maintains an extensive network of pipelines spanning across Canada and the United States, facilitating the transportation of various energy resources, including crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. Additionally, Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) is involved in renewable energy generation. Notably, Enbridge oversees one of the largest oil pipeline systems globally and is responsible for transporting approximately 30% of the oil produced in North America.

Analysts at TD Cowen reaffirmed their Buy rating for Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) shares on August 8, along with a stock price target of $58.

Our hedge fund data for the second quarter shows 28 hedge funds holding stakes in Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB). Their total stake value in the company was $449.7 million. GQG Partners was the most prominent shareholder in Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) at the end of the second quarter, holding 6.4 million shares in the company.

Alongside Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB), Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY), and Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB) are some of the best crude oil stocks to buy.

11. Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 39

Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) is an oilfield service provider that caters to the upstream oil and gas sector across all stages of the reservoir's lifecycle. The company's services encompass activities ranging from hydrocarbon discovery and geological data management to drilling, formation assessment, well construction, completion, and production optimization.

On October 4, Citigroup increased the target for Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) stock from $42.00 to $46.00. This adjustment mirrors analyst Scott Gruber's positive outlook on the company's future earnings and operational efficiency. Gruber's "Buy" rating is supported by his anticipation that Halliburton's investments in electronic fracking, combined with strong execution, will lead to market share growth and improvements in Completion and Production (C&P) margins.

After analyzing the investment activities of 910 hedge funds for the second quarter of 2023, Insider Monkey identified 39 of them that had invested in Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL). The most significant shareholder of Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) in our database is Richard S. Pzena's Pzena Investment Management, with ownership of 7.4 million shares valued at $244 million.

Carillon Eagle Mid Cap Growth Fund made the following comment about Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:

10. Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) is a U.S.-based company primarily involved in petroleum refining, marketing, and transportation. Its headquarters are located in Findlay, Ohio. It was formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marathon Oil until a corporate spin-off in 2011. In addition to being one of the best crude oil stocks, Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) is also one of the biggest pipeline companies in the world with a network of nearly 14,000 miles.

On October 25, Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) announced a dividend of $0.825 per share on common stock, reflecting a growth of approximately 10% compared to its previous dividend of $0.75 per share. The dividend will be disbursed on December 11, 2023, to shareholders on record on November 16, 2023. Moreover, MPC has sanctioned an additional $5 billion share repurchase authorization. This new authorization is in addition to its previous authorization, which had roughly $4.3 billion remaining as of September 30.

In the second quarter of 2023, the company made its way to 42 hedge fund portfolios, compared to 58 in the previous quarter. Paul Singer’s Elliott Management was the biggest stakeholder of Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) in Q2 with over 11 million shares worth approximately $1.29 billion.

9. Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FANG)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 44

Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FANG) is a U.S.-based energy company exclusively operating within the Permian Basin. In 2022, the company achieved a daily production of approximately 386 thousand barrels of oil equivalent and boasted proven reserves amounting to 2.3 billion barrels of oil equivalent, with petroleum accounting for 53% of the total.

As of August 1, the company declared a 5% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it to $0.84 per share. The company has a robust track record of consistently paying and boosting its dividends. On October 29, the stock presented a dividend yield of 4.30%.

Out of the 910 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey, 44 hedge funds were long Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FANG). A notable stakeholder of Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FANG) was Ken Griffin’s Citadel Investment Group which owns a $166.25 million stake in the company.

8. Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 44

Founded in 1989, Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHK) specializes in exploring and responsibly developing key assets within three prominent U.S. oil and gas regions: the Eagle Ford, Haynesville, and Marcellus Shales. The company is headquartered in Oklahoma City, known as a major hub for the natural gas and oil industry. Throughout the entire year of 2022, the company achieved a daily production rate of around 4.0 billion cubic feet equivalent (bcfe) per day. This production was primarily comprised of approximately 90% natural gas and 10% total liquids. The company employed an average of 14 drilling rigs to complete the drilling of 217 wells, and 215 of those wells were successfully brought into production.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHK) is in the initial stages of considering the acquisition of its fellow gas industry counterpart, Southwestern Energy, which is currently assessed at a valuation exceeding $8 billion. These preliminary discussions between Chesapeake and Southwestern were reported by Reuters on October 17. In the event of a merger between the two companies, they would surpass EQT Corporation to become the largest exploration and production enterprise focused on natural gas in the United States, as measured by market value.

As of the end of the second quarter of this year, Insider Monkey's survey of 910 hedge funds identified 44 that had invested in Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHK). Among these, the largest stakeholder is Oaktree Capital Management, led by Howard Marks, with holdings valued at $615 million.

7. Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 45

Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN) is an energy company focused on hydrocarbon exploration in the United States. The company is incorporated in Delaware and maintains its primary corporate headquarters at the Devon Energy Center, a 50-story building located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The company produced more than $1.4 billion in operating cash flow in Q2 and, in the same quarter, distributed $690 million to its shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks.

Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN) disclosed on August 1 that it plans to issue its usual quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, accompanied by an extra dividend of $0.29 per share, culminating in a total quarterly dividend of $0.49 per share.

A total of 45 hedge funds out of the 910 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey had stakes in Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN). The biggest stakeholder of Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN) was Donald Yacktman’s Yacktman Asset Management which owns a $146 million stake in the company.

6. Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE:PXD)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 54

Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE:PXD), based in Irving, Texas, specializes in hydrocarbon exploration. The company's operations are centered in the Cline Shale, a segment of the Spraberry Trend within the Permian Basin, where it holds the largest acreage. During August, JPMorgan raised the rating on three oil stocks, which included Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE:PXD), shifting them from "Neutral" to "Overweight." The firm highlighted an improved risk-reward outlook for these three companies in the coming 6-12 months.

As of Q2 2023 end, 54 out of the 910 hedge funds part of Insider Monkey’s database were Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE:PXD)’s investors. Out of these, the firm’s biggest shareholder is Donald Yacktman’s Yacktman Asset Management since it owns 1.28 million shares that are worth $264.24 million.

Ave Maria World Equity Fund made the following comment about Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE:PXD) in its Q1 2023 investor letter:

Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE:PXD) ranks as one of the best crude oil stocks, alongside the likes of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY), and Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB).

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Disclosure: None. 12 Best Crude Oil Stocks To Buy As Tensions Rise is originally published on Insider Monkey.