This Group of Stocks Is Surging Due to the Surge in Oil Prices. Should You Invest?

Refiner stocks have significantly outperformed the broader energy sector and S&P 500 due to a global shortage of refining capacity, which has driven crack spreads (refiner profit margins) to record highs of $64. Despite geopolitical conflicts and infrastructure damage reducing global refining capacity by 5 million barrels per day, the author recommends investing in refiners as the capacity shortage will persist longer than oil price volatility.

07/24/2026, 4:05 PM • The Motley Fool

Market Indexes Play Favorites: Tech Wins, Industrials Sulk on Monday

Tech stocks rallied on Monday while industrial stocks lagged, with the Nasdaq up 0.57% and the Dow down 0.30%. Alphabet surged 3% after reports of a new AI chip called 'Frozen v2' that runs Google's Gemini models more efficiently. The semiconductor sector broadly rallied on the news. However, Apple fell 2.4% and Caterpillar dropped 1.2%, offsetting gains. Over 300 companies report earnings this week, with investors seeking clarity on AI spending.

07/20/2026, 12:21 PM • The Motley Fool

Delek US vs. Par Pacific: Which Energy Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

The article compares two independent refiners: Delek US and Par Pacific. Delek US operates four refineries across Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana with a 63.3% stake in Delek Logistics, but faces high leverage (11.7x debt-to-equity), declining revenue, and regulatory uncertainty. Par Pacific operates four facilities across the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii with integrated retail operations, demonstrating stronger profitability (4.9% net margin), lower leverage (0.8x debt-to-equity), and superior cash generation ($296.5M free cash flow). The author recommends Par Pacific as the better 2026 investment due to its niche market positioning, operational momentum, and cleaner financial profile.

07/07/2026, 7:03 AM • The Motley Fool

1 Underappreciated Energy Stock You Won't Want to Overlook

Delek US Holdings (DK), a mid-sized oil refiner, has gained 64% year-to-date but remains underappreciated by investors. The company's 'surgical' approach to cost-cutting and operational efficiency has driven a fivefold increase in EBITDA in Q1 2026 without proportional revenue growth. With a 2.1% dividend yield, strong cash position, and Goldman Sachs' $55 price target, the stock merits closer examination despite high debt ratios and volatile refining margins.

06/10/2026, 12:30 PM • The Motley Fool

Are These 3 Energy Stocks About to Soar as Driving Season Kicks Off in the United States?

As driving season begins amid Middle East geopolitical tensions and high oil prices, three renewable and nuclear energy stocks could benefit from increased electricity demand. High gasoline prices may accelerate EV adoption, driving long-term electricity demand growth projected at 60% between 2025-2045, benefiting NextEra Energy, Constellation Energy, and Brookfield Renewable.

06/06/2026, 5:15 PM • The Motley Fool

Oil Falls Below $100, But Gas Prices Keep Climbing: These 4 Stocks Are Winning

Crude oil fell below $96 per barrel while gasoline prices climbed to $4.56 per gallon, creating exceptional profit margins for oil refiners. The 3-2-1 crack spread reached $56.22 per barrel—its highest level since June 2022—as refiners benefit from the widening gap between falling crude costs and stable pump prices. Major refiners reported strong first-quarter earnings that significantly beat consensus estimates.

05/07/2026, 4:38 PM • Benzinga

Valero Delivers Strong Q1 Beat, But Lower Throughput Outlook Clouds Near-Term Stock Path

Valero Energy reported strong Q1 2026 earnings with revenue of $32.4B (beating $30.7B consensus) and adjusted EPS of $4.22 (vs. $3.16 expected). However, the stock declined as the company issued a weak Q2 outlook, projecting reduced refining throughput due to Port Arthur incident repairs and Benicia refinery shutdown, expected to reduce Q2 EPS by ~9 cents.

04/30/2026, 12:17 PM • Benzinga

Sulfur Market Size to Hit 111.44 Mn Metric Tons by 2031 Driven by ULSD Regulations & Rising Fertilizer Demand, Reports Mordor Intelligence

The global sulfur market is projected to grow from 88.74 million metric tons in 2026 to 111.44 million metric tons by 2031, at a 4.66% CAGR. Growth is driven by rising fertilizer demand, ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) refining regulations, and increased rubber/tire manufacturing. Asia-Pacific leads both production and consumption, while emerging applications in lithium-sulfur batteries and construction materials support expansion.

04/29/2026, 3:59 AM • GlobeNewswire

Diesel Is Up 50% in Weeks. Here Are 2 Stocks Quietly Benefiting From the Spike.

Diesel fuel prices have surged 59% in recent weeks, benefiting independent refiners Valero Energy and Phillips 66. Both companies profit from the crack spread (difference between crude oil and refined product prices) and have diversified into renewable fuels. Both stocks are up significantly this year and offer above-average dividend yields with consistent increases.

04/20/2026, 9:30 PM • The Motley Fool

Iran Declares Strait Of Hormuz Open To All Vessels: Crude Plunges 14%, Airlines And Cruise Stocks Soar

Iran's Foreign Minister announced the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to all commercial vessels during the ceasefire, causing crude oil to plunge 14% to $81/barrel. Airlines and cruise lines surged as fuel costs declined, while energy and chemical companies fell sharply. The S&P 500 reached record highs with the Nasdaq 100 on its 13th consecutive gaining session.

04/17/2026, 9:56 AM • Benzinga

Oil Above $90, Pump Above $4 — And 7 Energy Stocks Still Trading At A Wide Discount

Seven major energy stocks are trading at historically low valuations (7x-11x forward P/E) despite oil prices above $90/barrel due to the Strait of Hormuz crisis. The sector has underperformed crude oil gains, creating a potential opportunity if the supply disruption persists, though risks remain if a ceasefire rapidly brings prices back down to $65-70.

04/16/2026, 11:26 AM • Benzinga

3 Surprising S&P 500 Outperformers of 2026

Energy sector stocks have emerged as unexpected S&P 500 outperformers in 2026, driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Valero Energy, LyondellBasell, and APA Corporation have gained 44%, 66%, and 60% respectively year-to-date, benefiting from disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Recent pullbacks following ceasefire announcements may present entry opportunities for investors.

04/14/2026, 1:15 PM • Investing

Trump's Iran War Sends Gasoline To Biggest Monthly Surge Since 1967 — 6 Energy Stocks To Watch

Gasoline prices surged 21.2% in March 2026, the largest monthly increase since 1967, driven by disruptions to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran war. National average gas prices jumped from $2.98 to $4.15 per gallon in six weeks. Goldman Sachs upgraded several refiner stocks as beneficiaries of elevated crack spreads and tighter energy supply chains, while economists debate whether this represents a temporary shock or a sustained inflationary regime.

04/10/2026, 10:58 AM • Benzinga

The Best Dividend ETF to Buy in April 2026 If You Want Passive Income

The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is recommended as a reliable choice for passive income investors. The ETF recently underwent reconstitution, removing 22 stocks including AbbVie, Cisco Systems, and Valero, while adding 25 stocks including UnitedHealth Group, Procter & Gamble, and Abbott Laboratories. The ETF reduced exposure to energy and materials sectors while increasing healthcare and tech exposure. With a dividend yield of approximately 3.5%, it offers more than three times the S&P 500 average yield.

04/05/2026, 9:22 AM • The Motley Fool

Valero’s Rally: Why This Refiner Is Built to Last

Valero Energy has surged 45% year-to-date, driven by tight global refining capacity and superior operational efficiency. The company benefits from wider crack spreads (refining margins), operates at 98% utilization, and maintains a strong financial position with a 0.36 debt-to-equity ratio. With Q4 2025 EPS of $3.82 beating estimates and a growing dividend, analysts including Raymond James have raised price targets to $290, suggesting the refiner's strong performance is sustainable rather than cyclical.

04/02/2026, 9:40 AM • Investing