Is an Oil & Gas ETF or a Solar Stock Fund the Better Buy in 2026?

The article compares two energy ETFs: XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) focusing on traditional oil and gas, and TAN (Invesco Solar ETF) focusing on solar energy. XLE offers lower costs (0.08% vs 0.7% expense ratio) and better recent performance (13% and 18.9% over 3 and 5 years), while TAN delivered stronger 10-year returns (11.8% vs 8.9%) but with significantly higher volatility. The author recommends TAN for long-term investors who can tolerate short-term volatility, citing solar's irreversible long-term growth trajectory.

07/25/2026, 12:03 PM • The Motley Fool

Prediction: If Oil Holds Above $100, Occidental Petroleum Stock Could Return 20% By Year-End

Occidental Petroleum (OXY) stock could rise approximately 20% to $70 per share by year-end if WTI crude oil remains above $100 per barrel. Currently trading at $58, OXY is highly sensitive to oil prices due to its upstream-focused business model. The company maintains a breakeven point of $40-45 per barrel and generates rapid free cash flow above $60 per barrel. Recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz closure support elevated oil prices, while OXY's integration of CrownRock assets and expansion of carbon capture services position it for growth.

07/24/2026, 9:30 AM • The Motley Fool

59% of Berkshire Hathaway's Portfolio Sits in 5 Dow Stocks. This Is My Top Pick to Buy Now.

Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio is heavily concentrated in five Dow Jones stocks: Apple, American Express, Coca-Cola, Alphabet, and Chevron. The article highlights Apple as the top pick, noting its patient AI strategy and potential to monetize AI through its hardware ecosystem and cloud services, while the stock has risen 21% this year.

07/23/2026, 3:30 PM • The Motley Fool

Brent Crude Tops $100 After Reports of Tanker Attacks Near Saudi Arabia. Should Investors Buy Oil Stocks Now?

Brent crude surged 7% to over $100 a barrel following reports of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea. With ongoing disruptions to oil supply routes via the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, Goldman Sachs warns crude could reach $120 a barrel. Despite oil's 65% surge this year, major oil stocks have only gained modestly, presenting potential upside for investors.

07/23/2026, 2:20 PM • The Motley Fool

I'd Double a Position in These 3 Dividend Stocks Right Now Without Any Hesitation

The article recommends three blue-chip dividend stocks as defensive investments during market uncertainty: AbbVie, benefiting from immunology therapy success and expected 10% revenue growth in 2026; Chevron, with nearly 40 years of consecutive dividend growth and potential 10% annualized earnings growth through 2030; and PepsiCo, trading at a discount with a 4.4% dividend yield and 54-year dividend increase streak despite recent market bearishness.

07/23/2026, 11:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Donald Trump's Iran Blockade Announcement Sent Oil Prices Surging and the Dow Falling

President Trump's announcement of a renewed blockade on Iran's ports caused oil prices to surge and the broader stock market to fall. The article discusses how geopolitical conflicts create volatility in energy markets and recommends large, diversified energy companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron as stable investments for most investors due to their strong financials, dividend track records, and ability to weather commodity price swings.

07/22/2026, 10:15 PM • The Motley Fool

3 Dividend Stocks Built for Long-Term Buy-and-Hold Investors

The article recommends three energy sector dividend stocks for long-term investors: Chevron (39 consecutive years of dividend increases), ExxonMobil (largest U.S. oil producer with strong total returns), and Enbridge (Canadian midstream company with 31 consecutive years of dividend increases). All three offer stable, consistent dividends despite sector cyclicality.

07/22/2026, 10:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Which Is the Better Energy ETF for the AI Era: State Street's XLE or VanEck's Nuclear NLR?

State Street's XLE energy ETF delivered 39% returns over one year with a 0.08% expense ratio, significantly outperforming VanEck's NLR nuclear-focused ETF which posted an 8.1% loss. While XLE offers lower costs and higher liquidity through exposure to oil and gas giants, NLR provides a longer-term bet on nuclear power's role in powering AI data centers, despite near-term headwinds from uranium price pullbacks.

07/21/2026, 1:18 PM • The Motley Fool

Goldman Sachs Says Oil Could Surpass $120 a Barrel if Hormuz Disruptions Don't Ease. Here's What That Means for Oil Stocks.

Goldman Sachs projects Brent crude could exceed $120/barrel in Q4 2026 if Strait of Hormuz disruptions persist, with an average of $100/barrel in 2027. The base case assumes de-escalation between the U.S. and Iran, with Brent averaging $80 in Q4 2026 and $75 in 2027. Both scenarios present strong opportunities for major oil producers like Chevron and ExxonMobil to generate substantial free cash flow and shareholder returns.

07/21/2026, 1:15 PM • The Motley Fool

3 Dividend Stocks I'd Never Sell No Matter What the Market Does

The article identifies three dividend stocks recommended as long-term holds regardless of market conditions: Verizon Communications for its essential telecom services and 19-year dividend growth streak; Coca-Cola for its resilient beverage business and 64-year dividend growth record; and Enbridge for its stable pipeline tollbooth model and 31-year consecutive dividend increases. All three companies have predictable, recurring revenue streams that remain stable during economic downturns.

07/20/2026, 1:15 PM • The Motley Fool

Chevron vs. ExxonMobil: Only One Deserves a Spot in Your Portfolio Today.

In a comparison of two major oil giants, ExxonMobil emerges as the superior investment choice over Chevron. While both companies offer attractive dividends, ExxonMobil demonstrates stronger fundamentals with a larger market cap ($611B vs $366B), superior stock performance (150% vs 90% over five years), and better cash generation. Chevron faces headwinds including negative free cash flow in Q1 2026, legal issues, geopolitical risks in Venezuela, and ongoing restructuring from its Hess acquisition, whereas ExxonMobil plans $20 billion in share buybacks for 2026.

07/20/2026, 10:28 AM • The Motley Fool

2 Vanguard ETFs Using Momentum to Outpace the S&P 500

Two Vanguard ETFs are outperforming the S&P 500 this year: the Information Technology ETF (VGT), up 21% driven by semiconductor companies benefiting from AI demand, and the Energy ETF (VDE), benefiting from Middle East conflicts and elevated energy prices. Both ETFs are concentrated in top holdings but positioned to finish ahead of the S&P 500.

07/18/2026, 2:30 PM • The Motley Fool

This Dividend ETF Yields 3.2% and Is Beating the Nasdaq-100 This Year

The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) has returned approximately 20% in 2026, outperforming both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100. The $95 billion fund focuses on companies with at least 10 consecutive years of dividend payments and screens for quality fundamentals. Its concentration in healthcare and consumer staples has benefited from a market rotation away from expensive AI and software stocks, though the fund's long-term job is delivering growing income from durable businesses rather than outrunning growth indexes.

07/18/2026, 8:23 AM • The Motley Fool

Global Oil Supply Is Being Squeezed From Two Directions at Once. Here Are the Best Energy Stocks to Buy.

Geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East are squeezing global oil supply, creating elevated crude prices and a fundamental market shift. High-quality oil companies with low breakeven costs, diversified operations, and strong shareholder returns are positioned to benefit. ExxonMobil and Chevron are highlighted as top picks for investors seeking inflation hedges and wealth generation through dividends and capital appreciation.

07/18/2026, 3:35 AM • The Motley Fool

Chevron Will Explore a Pipeline to Bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Here's What it Means for the Energy Stock.

Chevron has signed memorandums of understanding with Iraq to enter two major oilfields—the Nassiriya project (potential 600,000 barrels per day) and West Qurna 2 (460,000 barrels per day). The company is also evaluating pipeline routes to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, addressing export challenges caused by regional instability. These moves could significantly enhance Chevron's long-term growth prospects.

07/17/2026, 1:30 PM • The Motley Fool