Lower Fees, Higher Yield: Why XLE Tops XOP

The article compares two energy ETFs: XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) and XOP (State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF). XLE emerges as the better choice for most investors due to its significantly lower expense ratio (0.08% vs 0.35%), higher dividend yield (2.2% vs 1.6%), and superior 5-year performance (178% total return vs 106%). While XOP offers broader diversification across 51 holdings including refining and exploration companies, XLE's concentrated focus on large-cap energy giants like ExxonMobil and Chevron has delivered better risk-adjusted returns with lower volatility.

10/23/2026, 8:45 AM • The Motley Fool

Onward FX Names 173 Startups That Made the Cut for Its Fall Program

The Onward FX program has selected 173 startups from nearly 800 applicants for its first cycle focused on the physical economy. The event on October 27 in Little Rock will feature curated meetings between founders and 44 investors including Eclipse, In-Q-Tel, Chevron Technology Ventures, and others. Historically, one in four participating startups secures a term sheet, with investor interest concentrated on industrial AI, critical materials processing, and dual-use hardware.

10/21/2026, 9:00 AM • GlobeNewswire

ExxonMobil Hits a New All-Time High. Is It Too Late to Buy the Stock?

ExxonMobil has surged nearly 50% this year and hit an all-time high, driven by rising oil prices amid geopolitical tensions. While the stock's valuation has increased and dividend yield has declined to 2.31%, analysts suggest it remains a solid long-term investment for dividend investors, as oil prices could potentially rise further and the company maintains a strong market position.

10/20/2026, 10:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Better Oil Stock: Chevron (CVX) vs. ExxonMobil (XOM)

Chevron and ExxonMobil are compared as investment options, with both trading at 15x forward earnings and benefiting from elevated oil prices. Chevron is favored for its higher upstream exposure (80% of profits), faster projected EPS growth (26% CAGR through 2028), higher dividend yield (3.2%), and expansion in Guyana. ExxonMobil offers more diversification through its larger downstream business but grows slower (20% CAGR) and pays a lower dividend (2.3%).

10/19/2026, 2:55 PM • The Motley Fool

What High Diesel Prices Mean for These 5 Energy Stocks

High diesel prices driven by a Strait of Hormuz supply disruption are benefiting energy companies differently. Marathon Petroleum, a pure-play refiner, is the biggest winner as it directly profits from the crack spread between crude costs and refined fuel prices. Integrated majors Chevron and ExxonMobil see meaningful but smaller gains across their larger businesses. Pipeline operators Energy Transfer and Enterprise Products Partners benefit modestly through increased volume fees, with their appeal primarily tied to steady dividend yields rather than diesel price exposure.

10/17/2026, 8:30 AM • The Motley Fool

The Dividend ETF Quietly Delivering Double-Digit Returns While Most Investors Aren't Paying Attention

The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has gained 26% over the past year as investors rotate money away from crowded AI and tech stocks into dividend-paying companies. The ETF, which has less than 10% tech exposure and focuses on established blue-chip dividend payers, offers a 3.07% yield, low 0.06% expense ratio, and fair valuation metrics, making it an attractive portfolio complement.

10/17/2026, 7:50 AM • The Motley Fool

Meridian International Center Unveils Inaugural New Architects of American Influence Cohort

Meridian International Center announced the inaugural cohort of 25 leaders across business, technology, culture, sports, and state government recognized for shaping U.S. global influence. The group spans sectors including AI, space, medicine, energy, and finance, reflecting how American power is increasingly exercised beyond Washington through private sector innovation, international relationships, and cross-sector partnerships.

10/16/2026, 11:53 AM • GlobeNewswire

Adams Natural Resources Fund Reports Nine Month Results

Adams Natural Resources Fund (PEO) announced a 34.4% total return on net asset value for the first nine months of 2026, slightly outperforming its benchmark of 34.0%. The fund's net assets grew to $865.2 million from $662.6 million year-over-year, with major holdings concentrated in integrated oil and gas companies including Exxon Mobil (25.1%) and Chevron (14.0%).

10/15/2026, 5:55 PM • GlobeNewswire

Meet the Dividend ETF With Big Stakes in These 3 Blue Chip Stocks

The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) offers a diversified dividend-focused portfolio with a 3.24% yield and low 0.06% expense ratio. The fund's three largest blue chip holdings—Coca-Cola, Chevron, and Home Depot—represent about 12.3% of the portfolio. While Coca-Cola and Chevron show strong fundamentals, Home Depot has struggled due to rising interest rates and housing market slowdown, though it may recover as a long-term investment.

10/15/2026, 2:45 PM • The Motley Fool

The Dividend Divide: Pure Dividend Strategy ETF Meets Tech-Driven Growth ETF

iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) and Fidelity High Dividend ETF (FDVV) offer contrasting approaches to dividend investing. HDV emphasizes defensive sectors like energy and staples with lower volatility and a 0.08% expense ratio, while FDVV incorporates tech exposure with higher growth potential but greater volatility and a 0.15% expense ratio. HDV has delivered 12.8% CAGR since 2021 with a 2.9% yield, while FDVV achieved 13.5% CAGR with a 2.8% yield. The choice depends on whether investors prioritize conservative income or growth-oriented dividend strategies.

10/15/2026, 1:31 PM • The Motley Fool

Exxon Wants to Repeat Its Guyana Success in Trinidad. Should You Buy the Stock Now or Wait for the First Well?

ExxonMobil is pursuing exploration opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago, seeking to replicate its successful Guyana offshore operations. The company expects to select its first drilling location by mid-2027, with an initial exploration well potentially following in late 2027 or early 2028. However, the article argues that investors need not wait for Trinidad results to justify buying Exxon stock, as the company's existing operations—including strong Q2 2026 earnings of $14.5 billion and record Permian Basin production—provide a solid investment foundation independent of exploration outcomes.

10/14/2026, 5:30 PM • The Motley Fool

Chevron vs. Occidental Petroleum: Which Energy Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

Chevron and Occidental Petroleum present different investment profiles for energy exposure in 2026. Chevron offers a fortress balance sheet, global scale, and a strong dividend history with 39 consecutive years of increases, but trades at a higher valuation. Occidental Petroleum features higher profit margins (38% vs 16.5%), lower valuation multiples, and carbon capture technology investments, but carries higher debt levels and shorter dividend growth history. The choice depends on investor priorities: income-focused investors may prefer Chevron's 3.4% yield, while value investors may favor Occidental's lower P/E ratio and superior margins.

10/13/2026, 10:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Greg Abel Is Reshaping Berkshire's Portfolio. Here's Who's In and Who's Out.

Greg Abel, nine months into his tenure as Berkshire Hathaway CEO, is reshaping the company's $350 billion equities portfolio. He has designated Apple, American Express, Coca-Cola, and Moody's as core holdings with limited activity expected. Meanwhile, Abel has significantly increased positions in Alphabet (now 10.6% of portfolio), initiated new stakes in Delta Airlines, and increased exposure to housing through Lennar. Energy holdings like Chevron and Occidental Petroleum remain uncommitted, while Bank of America has been slightly trimmed. Abel has also resumed share repurchases after years of pause.

10/13/2026, 4:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Warren Buffett Bought These 4 Dividend Stocks Years Ago. Here's What $1,000 in Each Would Be Worth Today.

The article examines Warren Buffett's long-term investment strategy through four dividend stocks: Coca-Cola ($1,000 invested in 1989 worth ~$43,000 with dividend reinvestment), American Express ($1,000 in 1995 worth ~$54,560 with reinvestment), Bank of America ($1,000 in 2018 worth ~$2,220 with reinvestment), and Chevron ($1,000 in 2021 worth ~$3,185 with reinvestment). The analysis demonstrates that Buffett's buy-and-hold approach to well-run businesses at attractive prices has generated substantial returns, with longer-held positions significantly outperforming the S&P 500.

10/11/2026, 2:15 PM • The Motley Fool

Schwab's Dividend ETF's Worst Year Since 2012 Was a 5.5% Loss. The Cost Showed Up in the Good Years.

The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) had only three losing years between 2012-2025, with its worst loss being 5.5% in 2018. While this defensive positioning protected it during market downturns like 2022 (down 3% vs S&P 500 down 18%), it significantly underperformed in rising markets. Over 14 years, $10,000 in SCHD grew to ~$49,000 compared to ~$70,500 in the S&P 500, demonstrating the trade-off between downside protection and upside participation.

10/11/2026, 6:22 AM • The Motley Fool