Cheniere Energy, Inc., an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with several interstate and intrastate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines. It is also involved in the LNG and natural gas marketing business. The company was incorporated in 1983 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

Сильный индекс, значительно упал. Оптимистичный взгляд на свои позиции резко сменился на неуверенность.

Strong index, significantly down. An optimistic view of his position suddenly changed to uncertainty.

Сильный индекс, значительно вырос. Рынок на стороне быков.

Strong index, significantly up. The market is on the bulls' side.

Средний индекс, значительно вырос. Увеличился приток средств в лонги.

Medium index, significantly up. The inflow of funds into longs has increased.

Cheniere Energy LNG is benefiting from a sharper focus on liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) supply security as Middle East disruptions reshape global gas flows. The company delivered a strong first quarter, generating $5.9 billion in revenues, $2.3 billion in consolidated adjusted EBITDA and $1.7 billion in distributable cash flow. It also exported a quarterly record 187 LNG cargoes. This performance came as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to part of QatarEnergy’s LNG facility tightened an already stretched market.
The disruption has also highlighted the strategic value of U.S. LNG. Cheniere estimates that roughly 7 million tons of LNG supply per month remains disrupted, equal to about 100 cargoes. Since most Qatari volumes typically move into Asia, the supply shock quickly pulled more flexible cargoes toward Asian markets. Cheniere’s U.S.-based LNG portfolio is well-positioned in this environment because its cargoes can be redirected based on market need, helping customers manage sudden supply gaps during volatile periods.
Importantly, the current market stress could support Cheniere’s future contracting efforts. Buyers are likely to place greater emphasis on supply diversity, destination flexibility and producer reliability after seeing how quickly geopolitical events can disrupt LNG availability. Cheniere already serves more than 35 long-term creditworthy counterparties and is working to commercialize additional capacity tied to its expansion plans. Overall, the disruption reinforces the importance of secure U.S. LNG and strengthens Cheniere’s position as a preferred long-term supplier in an increasingly risk-aware global gas market.
The recent disruptions have reinforced the strategic value of LNG assets across the industry. Beyond Cheniere, other companies with significant LNG exposure are also positioned to benefit from stronger demand for secure and flexible gas supplies.
Key LNG Players Benefiting From Supply-Security Focus
Venture Global VG: Venture Global is scaling quickly as a U.S. LNG supplier, with 68 million tons per annum (“MTPA”) of capacity operating or under construction and a targeted total of about 100 MTPA across Calcasieu Pass, Plaquemines, CP2 and planned bolt-on expansions. Venture Global exported a record 130 cargoes in first-quarter 2026 and had 84% of the expected 2026 cargoes contracted by May 8. Venture Global’s long and medium-term contracts support clearer cash flows while leaving room for market flexibility.
Chevron CVX: Chevron also remains a major LNG player through its Gorgon and Wheatstone projects in Australia, which give Chevron exposure to steady Asian demand. Gorgon has an LNG capacity of about 15.6 MTPA, while Wheatstone can produce roughly 8.9 MTPA. Chevron operates both projects and holds 47.3% of Gorgon and 64.14% of Wheatstone, giving Chevron a large, reliable LNG platform in a region close to key buyers.
The Zacks Rundown on Cheniere Energy
Shares of LNG have gained around 23% so far this year, slightly underperforming the Oil/Energy sector.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Cheniere Energy currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.24 on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 23 brokerage firms.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
See how the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Cheniere Energy’s earnings has been revised over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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Middle East LNG Shock Strengthens Cheniere's Contracting Case

Key Points
President Donald Trump is overhauling the U.S. energy sector.
From oil drilling to natural gas turbines, some companies are turning policy shifts into profit engines.
These stocks are among the top bets to play America's energy boom.
Washington is rewriting the U.S. oil and gas strategy under President Donald Trump's leadership, making sweeping moves to slash permit timelines, lift moratoriums, revive drilling, reopen acreage, and fast-track liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and exports.
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Dominating the oil upstream
Trump's revived "drill, baby, drill" agenda is an aggressive push to expand domestic oil and gas production. ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) sits at the very center of the policy shift toward fossil fuels and is arguably more leveraged than any peer to Washington's pro-oil strategy.
Why? ExxonMobil is the largest oil and gas producer in the U.S. It more than doubled its Permian Basin production after acquiring Pioneer Natural Resources for $60 billion in 2024. That's more than 1.4 million net acres of drilling inventory, with an estimated 16 billion barrels of oil equivalent resource.
ExxonMobil is prioritizing high-return investments and financial flexibility. By 2030, it projects $25 billion in incremental earnings and $145 billion in surplus cash (above current base dividend and capital expenditure) at an average Brent crude oil price of $65 per barrel.
That's a lot of money, and even if ExxonMobil hits half that goal, investors stand to win. In just the last five years, ExxonMobil has returned nearly $150 billion to its shareholders. It has increased dividends for 43 consecutive years and consistently repurchases shares.
Buying ExxonMobil isn't just a gamble on oil prices anymore. It is a bet on sustained U.S. energy dominance and favorable Washington policies.
The undisputed LNG king
When President Trump signed the "Unleashing American Energy" executive order in early 2025, it ended the Biden-era pause on LNG export approvals. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said it plainly when he personally signed a 12% export expansion authorization for Cheniere Energy's (NYSE: LNG) Corpus Christi LNG terminal: "This order helps further strengthen America's LNG export capacity, delivering peace abroad and prosperity for Americans at home."
For energy investors, Cheniere is a straightforward policy bet. As the largest LNG producer and exporter in the U.S., running massive export hubs at Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi, the company is perfectly positioned to ride Washington's pro-LNG wave.
Growth is already locked in, with the Corpus Christi expansion adding nearly 15 million tons per annum (MTPA) of new LNG capacity, while an additional 20 MTPA is in the works at Sabine Pass. That's all the incremental revenue coming in on top of an already massive base.
Thanks to these expansions, Cheniere recently raised its 2026 outlook, guiding for a massive $4.75 billion to $5.25 billion in distributable cash flow (DCF). That means its stock buyback and dividend growth story has years of room to run. As Washington rewrites the U.S. energy playbook with LNG at the center, Cheneire will lead the charge.
The gas beast with an unstoppable backlog
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) updated Clean Air Act has significantly loosened greenhouse gas emissions standards for fossil-fuel-fired power plants, including nitrogen oxide emission limits for new gas-burning turbines. In doing so, Washington has effectively given utilities a green light to build gas-fired plants without the threat of forced closures to meet demand from the booming artificial intelligence (AI) data center build-out.
It's a win-win for GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV), the world's largest manufacturer of natural gas turbines. GE Vernova's HA-class gas turbine, which powers utility-scale power plants, is the world's fastest-growing fleet in its class, with 128 units operating in 21 countries.
GE Vernova's numbers reveal the massive growth ahead of the company. Its gas turbine reservations and order backlog skyrocketed to a massive 100 gigawatts (GW) in the first quarter, up from 83 GW in the prior quarter. The company now expects gas power backlog to cross 110 GW by the end of 2026. Its total equipment and services backlog surged to a whopping $163 billion, with orders jumping 71% year over year in Q1.
Here's the most astounding number: GE Vernova is already booking 2030 production slots, meaning its factory schedule is completely sold out for the next few years. That gives the company immense pricing power and revenue visibility amid Washington's oil and gas policy shift.
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Neha Chamaria has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cheniere Energy and GE Vernova. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

3 Unstoppable Energy Stocks on Washington's Short List as Trump Rewrites U.S. Oil and Gas Strategy

Legendary investor Warren Buffett advises to be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful. One way we can try to measure the level of fear in a given stock is through a technical analysis indicator called the Relative Strength Index, or RSI, which measures momentum on a scale of zero to 100. A stock is considered to be oversold if the RSI reading falls below 30.
In trading on Friday, shares of Cheniere Energy Inc. (Symbol: LNG) entered into oversold territory, hitting an RSI reading of 29.2, after changing hands as low as $223.83 per share. By comparison, the current RSI reading of the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is 75.8. A bullish investor could look at LNG's 29.2 RSI reading today as a sign that the recent heavy selling is in the process of exhausting itself, and begin to look for entry point opportunities on the buy side. The chart below shows the one year performance of LNG shares:
Looking at the chart above, LNG's low point in its 52 week range is $186.2001 per share, with $300.89 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $224.86.
Further LNG Research:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Oversold Conditions For Cheniere Energy (LNG)

ConocoPhillips COP is a leading upstream energy company with operations spread across the globe. The company boasts a diverse, capital-efficient and low-cost-of-production asset base that is expected to significantly enhance its free cash flow profile in the coming years. COP has highlighted that it is currently working toward delivering a $7 billion improvement in free cash flow by 2029, driven by its cost-reduction initiatives, liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects and the Willow Project in Alaska.
Notably, ConocoPhillips is strengthening its position in the global LNG market through strategic infrastructure investments. The current geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have tightened global LNG markets, driven by QatarEnergy’s production shut-in and disruptions to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz. This has significantly improved the outlook for COP’s LNG portfolio.
One of COP’s key growth drivers is the Port Arthur LNG project, which is progressing steadily and is on track to deliver its first LNG cargo in 2027. It is also focused on expanding its international LNG footprint through its Equatorial Guinea LNG operations. The company recently executed a third-party tolling agreement, extending the facility’s operational life into the 2030s. Additionally, the asset is located in a gas-rich region, with discovered resources in its vicinity that support its long-term production potential. The Equatorial Guinea LNG asset is geographically well-positioned to ship LNG cargoes to high-demand markets like Europe and Asia.
Overall, COP’s LNG strategy is expected to become a free cash flow growth engine, supported by rising global demand, strategic geographic positioning of its assets and energy security concerns across the globe.
Other Energy Players With Growing LNG Portfolios
Venture Global VG is a leading U.S.-based exporter of LNG. VG is advancing several natural gas liquefaction and export projects along the U.S. Gulf Coast: Calcasieu Pass, Plaquemines, CP2 and CP3. These projects have seen strong recent progress, positioning the company for meaningful capacity growth.
Cheniere Energy LNG is an energy infrastructure company, primarily engaged in the liquefied natural gas business. It operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal and the Corpus Christi liquefaction and export facility in the United States. Cheniere Energy continues to benefit from large-scale brownfield expansion opportunities at both the Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi facilities. Management stated that the projects could expand the company’s production platform by nearly 20% over time.
COP’s Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
ConocoPhillips’ shares have jumped 35.8% over the past year compared with the 34.4% improvement of the composite stocks belonging to the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, COP trades at a trailing 12-month enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) of 6.59X. This is above the broader industry average of 5.48X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for COP’s 2026 earnings has been revised upward over the past seven days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
COP, VG and LNG each currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.
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Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

ConocoPhillips' LNG Strategy Emerges as Key Long-Term Growth Driver

Cheniere Energy, Inc. LNG, a Houston, TX-based oil and gas storage and transportation company, announced that its Train 6 unit produced the first liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) — a significant step forward in one of North America’s most closely watched LNG projects, according to Reuters, as cited in a Pipeline & Gas Journal article. This milestone marks a key achievement in the company’s Corpus Christi Stage 3 expansion, reinforcing its position as the largest LNG producer in the United States. The accomplishment underscored Cheniere’s ability to execute long-term growth plans and meet the rising global demand for LNG, particularly in Europe and Asia.
Corpus Christi Stage 3: Strengthening U.S. LNG Leadership
The Stage 3 expansion is central to Cheniere’s broader growth strategy. It includes seven midscale liquefaction trains designed to boost LNG production at the Texas Gulf Coast terminal. With six trains now operational, the project is nearing completion, setting the stage for significant revenue and cash flow growth.
Once all seven trains are online, Stage 3 is expected to add more than 10 million tons per year (mtpa) of LNG capacity. This increase will cement Cheniere’s role in the global LNG market and strengthen the ability to fulfill long-term supply contracts, further establishing its reputation as a reliable energy supplier.
Train 6: A Testament to Operational Expertise
The startup of the multibillion-dollar LNG expansion project’s Train 6 unit reflects Cheniere’s operational efficiency and project management skills. LNG infrastructure projects are complex, requiring advanced engineering, strict regulatory compliance and massive capital investments. Despite challenges such as rising construction costs, labor shortages and supply-chain delays, Cheniere brought Train 6 online effectively, with full completion expected this summer, according to the news.
This milestone reduces risk for Stage 3 and positions Cheniere to increase LNG exports soon. Investors may see this as a sign of operational stability, improved efficiency and long-term profitability.
Meeting Global LNG Demand
Train 6’s timing aligns with growing worldwide LNG demand. European countries, facing disruptions in gas supplies, are increasingly importing U.S. LNG, while Asian economies continue to ramp up LNG purchases for industrial and power generation needs. The United States overtook Australia and Qatar to become the world’s largest LNG exporter in 2023, and Cheniere has been at the forefront of this transformation.
Cheniere’s long-term “take-or-pay” contracts provide stable cash flows even if market prices fluctuate, reinforcing its role as a trusted global energy supplier. The company’s ability to scale production quickly allows it to take advantage of favorable international trends, strengthening both market share and strategic influence.
Economic and Strategic Benefits of Stage 3
The Stage 3 expansion has major economic and strategic impacts. Increased LNG production supports U.S. energy exports, creates jobs and enhances global energy security. With six trains operational, Cheniere is well-positioned to capture more market share, increase exports and maintain a competitive edge in long-term contracts.
Once the final Stage 3 train is operational, Corpus Christi will rank among the world’s largest LNG export facilities, boosting operational efficiency, throughput and financial performance, while validating Cheniere’s growth strategy.
Boosting Operational Efficiency and Shareholder Value
Cheniere’s disciplined approach to capital allocation, shareholder returns and long-term growth is evident in the progress at Corpus Christi Stage 3. Train 6’s success highlights the company’s commitment to precision, execution and expanding infrastructure.
As the expansion nears completion, Cheniere stands to benefit from higher export volumes, stronger cash flows and operational synergies, further strengthening its position in both the U.S. and global LNG markets.
Looking Ahead: Continued Growth and Global Leadership
With six trains now running and Train 6 on track for full completion this summer, Cheniere is set to capitalize on growing LNG demand and export opportunities. Completing the final Stage 3 train will be transformative, making Corpus Christi a key hub for global LNG exports and reinforcing Cheniere’s status as a strategic energy partner worldwide.
This expansion shows Cheniere’s strong focus on growing business, improving operations and maintaining its leadership in the global LNG market, which should support the long-term success in the industry.
LNG's Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks
Currently, LNG carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Investors interested in the energy sector might look at some other top-ranked stocks like APA Corporation APA, Canadian Natural Resources Limited CNQ and Diamondback Energy FANG, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) each at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
APA Corporation is valued at $14.46 billion. It is an independent exploration and production company engaged in developing oil and natural gas assets across the United States, Egypt and the North Sea. APA Corporation focuses on disciplined capital spending and operational efficiency to strengthen production growth and shareholder returns.
Canadian Natural Resources is valued at $102.81 billion. The company is one of Canada’s largest energy producers, with a diversified portfolio that includes crude oil, natural gas and oil sands operations. Canadian Natural Resources’ long-life, low-decline asset base supports stable cash flows and enables it to maintain a strong dividend profile.
Diamondback Energy is valued at $58.45 billion. It is a leading independent oil and gas company primarily operating in the prolific Permian Basin of West Texas. Diamondback Energy is recognized for its low-cost production model, strong free cash flow generation and focus on enhancing shareholder value through dividends and share repurchases.
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Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Cheniere Starts LNG Production at Corpus Christi Stage 3 Train 6

As global energy markets continue evolving, Shell plc SHEL is increasingly relying on liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a major driver of long-term growth and shareholder returns. The company views LNG as a critical transition fuel because it emits less carbon than coal while offering a dependable energy supply across power generation, industrial use and transportation.
Shell’s Integrated Gas and LNG business has already become one of its strongest earnings engines. In the first quarter of 2026, the segment generated adjusted earnings of $1.8 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $4.1 billion, reflecting the resilience of its global LNG operations. LNG liquefaction volumes rose to 7.9 million tons, supported by the continued ramp-up of the LNG Canada project. The facility demonstrated its strategic importance by increasing production when disruptions affected Qatari supplies during Middle East tensions.
The company’s expanding LNG footprint also positions it to benefit from rising natural gas demand across Europe and Asia. Earlier, Shell had also reaffirmed its confidence in the long-term growth of LNG, projecting a 54%-68% rise in global demand through 2040. The company’s acquisition of ARC Resources Ltd. AETUF further enhances this strategy. Shell stated that the acquisition of ARC Resources will add high-quality, low-cost assets in the Montney Basin. The deal will increase Shell’s expected production CAGR through 2030 from around 1% to 4%.
Importantly, Shell’s integrated model — spanning production, liquefaction, shipping and trading — allows it to capture value across the LNG chain. This combination of scale, operational flexibility and growing LNG exposure could support stronger cash flows and higher shareholder returns in the years ahead.
Other Energy Firms Benefiting From LNG Expansion
Chevron Corporation CVX is strengthening its LNG business as a durable cash-flow driver through large-scale, contract-backed projects in Australia and expanding U.S. export commitments. CVX’s flagship Gorgon and Wheatstone facilities together provide more than 24 mtpa of LNG capacity, supported by agreements with Asian customers that ensure steady revenues and reduce commodity-price volatility. Chevron is also set to export nearly 7 million metric tons annually from the U.S. Gulf Coast starting in 2026, broadening its earnings base. With integrated gas operations, the company is well positioned to benefit from rising global LNG demand.
Cheniere Energy, Inc. LNG operates one of the world’s largest LNG platforms, supplying secure LNG to global markets through its Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi facilities. In first-quarter 2026, the company exported a record 187 LNG cargoes and raised its annual production outlook to 52-54 million tons, supported by improved operational reliability and faster ramp-up of new trains. Cheniere is also expanding capacity through future expansion projects. The company highlighted that geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East have reinforced the importance of a reliable U.S. LNG supply, strengthening long-term demand and commercial opportunities for Cheniere globally.
The Zacks Rundown on Shell
Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for SHEL’s earnings per share has moved higher for 2026 and 2027.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation perspective — in terms of forward price-to-sales ratio — Shell is trading at a discount compared with the Oil/Energy sector’s average, making it attractive for investors as more upside is still left in the stock.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate implies about 63.2% year-over-year growth in Shell’s 2026 earnings per share. This implies that investors are paying up for SHEL at a point when the fundamentals of the company are expected to accelerate.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
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Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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How Shell's LNG Strength May Position It for Higher Returns Ahead

Key Points
Cameco -- the world's second-largest uranium producer -- is thriving as demand for nuclear energy grows.
Occidental Petroleum stock has surged amid high oil prices driven by disruptions in the Middle East.
Cheniere Energy is a key player in the LNG market and could benefit from supply disruptions in the Mideast.
Energy stocks are surging as data center demand for power is at an all-time high. According to research from Bank of America, electricity demand could soar at a pace that is five times faster over the coming decade compared to the past decade. On top of this, the ongoing conflict in Iran is driving oil and gas prices through the roof, putting energy squarely in the spotlight.
Companies like Cameco (NYSE: CCJ), Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY), and Cheniere Energy (NYSE: LNG) have already seen remarkable gains of 24% or more to start 2026. Here's why these energy stocks are quietly becoming trades of the year.
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Cameco is riding the nuclear resurgence wave higher
Nuclear energy is enjoying a resurgence, and Cameco has been a standout performer as a result. The stock is up 27% year to date and 124% over the past year as countries commit to tripling their nuclear energy capacity. In the United States, nuclear energy has become a major focus as a clean-burning energy source for hyperscalers' insatiable appetite for power.
What makes Cameco compelling is its position across the nuclear value chain. The company is a major uranium miner, with stakes in McArthur River and Cigar Lake, two high-grade mines in Saskatchewan, Canada. It also has a 40% stake in the JV Inkai joint venture in Kazakhstan. Finally, it owns a 49% stake in Westinghouse Electric Company, a top supplier of nuclear services and equipment. As a result, Cameco benefits from rising uranium demand and the build-out of nuclear energy infrastructure.
According to the World Nuclear Organization, demand for uranium is expected to surge 28% by 2030 and could more than double by 2040. This surge is driven by more nations adopting nuclear energy and building new nuclear reactors. In the United States, regulators are looking to add 300 gigawatts (GW) to 400 GW in new capacity, including the goal of having 10 large reactors under construction by 2030.
For Cameco, growing demand for uranium should bode well for its mining business. Meanwhile, its stake in Westinghouse gives it upside exposure to the nuclear energy build-out, as Westinghouse technology is used in 50% of the world's nuclear reactors. For investors looking to play the upside in nuclear energy, Cameco is a top stock today.
Surging oil prices have propelled Occidental Petroleum
Occidental Petroleum has gotten off to a strong start this year, with the stock up 35% year to date, driven by high oil prices amid the ongoing conflict in Iran. The disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have impacted 20 million barrels of oil per day, or roughly one-quarter of the world's oil. With Brent Crude oil currently trading at around $100 per barrel, oil and gas companies like Occidental stand to benefit.
In the first quarter, Occidental delivered strong results, producing 1.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day with adjusted earnings per share of $1.06, well above expectations. In February, Occidental placed costless collar hedges on 100,000 barrels of oil per day. When the conflict drove crude prices higher, the company recorded derivative losses on its crude collars, partially offsetting its net income for the quarter.
Looking forward, Occidental projects it will produce 1.44 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, and projects that unconventional production in the Permian Basin will increase in the second quarter. The company will also continue to focus on operational efficiencies and aims to reduce its debt to below $10 billion by the end of this year. It is also targeting $1.2 billion in incremental cash flow from cost efficiencies, before factoring in oil price increases.
Disruptions in natural gas infrastructure have helped Cheniere Energy
The conflict in Iran has also caused significant disruptions to the liquified natural gas (LNG) markets. QatarEnergy's LNG facility in Ras Laffan was targeted in the conflict, effectively removing roughly 7 million tons of supply from theglobal marketeach month. Cheniere Energy is a top U.S. LNG producer whose stock has surged 24% since the start of the year.
Although natural gas prices spiked, Cheniere's first-quarter earnings results don't reflect this. In fact, the LNG company reported an operating loss of $2.5 billion, primarily due to $5.4 billion in non-cash unfavorable changes in the fair value of its derivative instruments. This is due to a timing mismatch between when Cheniere must mark-to-market its derivatives for accounting purposes and when it actually sells its gas at some future date.
This makes it appear that Cheniere had a significant paper loss, but the underlying business remains sound. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA increased by 25% from last year to $2.3 billion, thanks to record production. Looking forward to the rest of this year, Cheniere projects production of 52 million to 54 million tonnes of natural gas, and raised its full-year guidance for distributable cash flow from $4.6 billion at the midpoint to $5 billion.
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Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Courtney Carlsen has positions in Cameco and Occidental Petroleum. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cameco and Cheniere Energy. The Motley Fool recommends Occidental Petroleum. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

3 Energy Stocks That Are Quietly Becoming the Trades of the Year

Key Points
As SpaceX prepares to IPO, rumors about the company are flying.
The latest rumor: SpaceX is buying land to build a second Starbase in Louisiana.
This rumor might even be true.
When an initial public offering (IPO) is in the offing, it can create a lot of wild rumors -- some of which might even be true.
Take the case of SpaceX. As the world's biggest rocket company, and Elon Musk's vehicle for IPO'ing xAI and reIPO'ing Twitter, prepares to become the largest IPO in history, a new rumor has emerged on the internet:
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Elon Musk is buying up swampland in Louisiana to build a second Starbase spaceport.
Truth is stranger than fiction
Does this sound odd? And yet it might actually be true. In a post on X earlier this week, realtor Jim Keaty of Keaty Real Estate (tagline: "Louisiana's most innovative real estate team") is cited as claiming that "SpaceX may have acquired or is acquiring 136k acres (212 sq miles) of marshland" on the Louisiana coast.
SPACEX: A realtor named Jim Keaty of Keaty Real Estate published a rumor of possible SpaceX land acquisition in Louisiana.
It states SpaceX may have acquired or is acquiring 136k acres (212 sq miles) of marshland south of Highway 82 toward the Gulf of America in Pecan Island... https://t.co/3mv5Do8sTP pic.twitter.com/c36x41kNMw
-- S.E. Robinson, Jr. (@SERobinsonJr) May 4, 2026
The post goes on to point out that the land parcel in question:
Has "direct access to the Intercoastal Canal and the Gulf of America" (useful for both launching rockets safely over water, and potentially for recovering rockets that land on barges at sea).
Is located "halfway between Boca Chica and Cape Canaveral" -- two of Musk's favorite spaceports.
And "has easy access to Cheniere LNG and Golden Pass LNG."
What it means for investors
It's that last bit that might be of most interest to investors.
As far as the general rumor goes, SpaceX came halfway to confirming it in an official X post on Tuesday, conceding that it is "constantly exploring to find viable sites to expand Starship operations in the future, both domestically and internationally."
It's no secret that we intend to launch Starship a lot, targeting thousands of flights per year. That cadence will require the ability to launch from many different locations, so we are constantly exploring to find viable sites to expand Starship operations in the future, both... https://t.co/6TrcaGrvVe
-- SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 12, 2026
But consider, too, the implications of the poster's observation about Cheniere Energy (NYSE: LNG) and Golden Pass LNG -- a liquefied natural gas terminal in which ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) holds a 30% interest, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Although the SpaceX Starship rocket is still conducting flight tests and has not yet been certified to fly national security missions, for example, recent flight tests have proven increasingly successful, providing evidence that Starship is on the right path to beginning commercial operations. Once it does, Elon Musk is on record predicting the spacecraft will eventually reach a launch cadence of 24 per day worldwide, flying "both domestically and internationally."
And here's the thing: Musk is going to need a lot of (natural) gas to make all those trips. Each Starship launch is estimated to consume approximately 1,040 metric tons of methane rocket fuel (methalox), which is produced by purifying and cooling natural gas.
Or put more simply: Liquefied natural gas is rocket fuel.
It makes sense that, when seeking new launch sites, SpaceX would prioritize locations such as Louisiana that have ready access to abundant LNG supplies. The way I read it, this rumor is therefore more likely true than false -- and Cheniere and ExxonMobil may have just found a new favorite customer in SpaceX.
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Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cheniere Energy and S&P Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Will SpaceX Spend Its IPO Billions on Real Estate?

Cheniere Energy, Inc. LNG reported a first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $4.77 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.91 by 22%. The figure increased 34.6% from the year-ago quarter’s level. This was primarily due to stronger operational execution and favorable LNG market conditions in the first quarter of 2026, which helped adjusted earnings beat estimates and improve year over year.
Revenues totaled $5.87 billion, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.70 billion by 3% and rising 8% year over year, driven by a 7.9% and 6.7% year-over-year increase in LNG and Other revenues, respectively.
Cheniere Energy, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Operationally, the company posted record LNG loaded volumes of 688 TBtu, up 13% year over year. The figure also beat the consensus mark of 648 TBtu. Additionally, the company exported a record 187 cargoes during the quarter, reflecting an 11% year-over-year increase from the prior-year quarter’s level.
On April 22, Cheniere Energy’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 55.5 cents per share. The dividend, which remains unchanged, will be paid on May 19, 2026. Cheniere Energy deployed about $1.2 billion toward growth, balance sheet management, share repurchases and dividends during the quarter. The company repurchased common stock for approximately $537 million and paid a quarterly dividend, totaling about $117 million.
The oil and gas storage and transportation company reported consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $2.3 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up about 25% from the year-ago quarter’s level. The growth was primarily driven by higher total margins on LNG delivered, reflecting higher volumes and contributions from optimization activities, along with the recognition of a nonrecurring tax credit.
During the first quarter of 2026, LNG generated distributable cash flow of $1.67 billion.
LNG's Contracting Progress Supports Commercial Visibility
Cheniere Energy noted that new long-term contracted volumes commenced during the first quarter, reinforcing the strategy of pairing long-duration contracts with its large-scale Gulf Coast liquefaction footprint.
The company reiterated its focus on bringing incremental capacity online efficiently through debottlenecking initiatives while continuing permitting, development and commercialization work tied to expansions at Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi. Management continues to frame these projects as disciplined, return-focused growth.
LNG’s Costs & Balance Sheet
Costs and expenses amounted to $9.4 billion for the first quarter, up 108.7% from the prior-year quarter’s level.
As of March 31, 2026, Cheniere Energy had approximately $1.31 billion of cash and cash equivalents. Its net long-term debt amounted to $22.1 billion, with a debt-to-capitalization of 71.9%.
The company also reported $6.58 billion of available commitments under its credit facilities, including $831 million at Sabine Pass Liquefaction, $1 billion under the Cheniere Partners revolving facility, $2.11 billion under the CCH credit facility, $1.39 billion under the CCH working capital facility and $1.25 billion under the Cheniere revolving credit facility.
LNG’s 2026 Guidance
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company expects 2026 consolidated adjusted EBITDA in the range of $7.25-$7.75 billion, revised upward from the previous guidance of $6.75-$7.25 billion. It also projects distributable cash flow of $4.75-$5.25 billion for 2026, compared with the earlier outlook of $4.35-$4.85 billion. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Its 2026 planning assumptions include open capacity sales at a marketing margin of $2.50-$3.00 per MMBtu on a long-term basis (before lifting margin), as well as $500 million of future debt paydown at Cheniere Partners with no debt paydown thereafter.
Important Earnings at a Glance
While we have discussed LNG’s first-quarter results in detail, let us take a look at three other key reports in this space.
Houston, TX-based oil and gas equipment and services provider, Halliburton Company HAL, posted first-quarter 2026 adjusted net income per share of 55 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents. The outperformance primarily reflects successful cost reduction initiatives. However, the bottom line fell from the year-ago adjusted profit of 60 cents.
Halliburton reported first-quarter capital expenditure of $192 million. As of March 31, 2026, this oil and gas equipment and services company had approximately $2 billion in cash/cash equivalents and $7.1 billion in long-term debt, representing a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 39.6.
Houston, TX-based oil and gas storage and transportation company, Kinder Morgan Inc. KMI, posted first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share of 48 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents. The bottom line increased year over year from 34 cents. The strong quarterly results can be primarily attributed to contributions from the Natural Gas Pipelines business segment.
As of March 31, 2026, KMI reported $72 million in cash and cash equivalents. At the quarter's end, its long-term debt amounted to $29.72 billion. KMI’s project backlog was reported at $10.1 billion by the end of the first quarter. The midstream energy major added that natural gas projects comprise approximately 92% of its project backlog, with nearly 60% dedicated to supporting local distribution companies and power generation.
Fort Worth, TX-based oil and gas exploration and production company, Range Resources Corporation RRC, posted first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.52 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.33. The bottom line also improved from the prior-year level of 96 cents. Strong quarterly results can be attributed to higher gas-equivalent production and increased natural gas price realization.
Drilling and completion expenditure totaled $130 million. An additional $5 million was spent on acreage and $4 million on infrastructure and other investments. At the end of the first quarter, Range Resources reported a total debt of $819.3 million, net of deferred financing costs.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Cheniere Energy Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates on Record LNG Loadings

The following companies are expected to report earnings prior to market open on 05/07/2026. Visit our Earnings Calendar for a full list of expected earnings releases.
McDonald's Corporation (MCD)is reporting for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. The restaurant company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 10 analysts that follow the stock is $2.74. This value represents a 2.62% increase compared to the same quarter last year. MCD missed the consensus earnings per share in the 3rd calendar quarter of 2025 by -3.88%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for MCD is 21.65 vs. an industry ratio of 12.70, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ)is reporting for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. The oil company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 2 analysts that follow the stock is $0.74. This value represents a 8.64% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year CNQ has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 4th calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 11.32%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for CNQ is 15.09 vs. an industry ratio of 22.20.
Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM)is reporting for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. The aerospace and defense company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 5 analysts that follow the stock is $1.11. This value represents a 29.07% increase compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year HWM has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 4th calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 8.25%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for HWM is 53.11 vs. an industry ratio of -68.90, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Sempra (SRE)is reporting for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. The alternative energy company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 4 analysts that follow the stock is $1.51. This value represents a 4.86% increase compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year SRE has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 4th calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 13.27%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for SRE is 18.32 vs. an industry ratio of 20.90.
Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG)is reporting for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. The oil (us exp & production) company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 7 analysts that follow the stock is $3.91. This value represents a 149.04% increase compared to the same quarter last year. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for LNG is 19.29 vs. an industry ratio of 17.40, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Targa Resources, Inc. (TRGP)is reporting for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. The oil refining company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 7 analysts that follow the stock is $2.55. This value represents a 180.22% increase compared to the same quarter last year. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for TRGP is 25.17 vs. an industry ratio of 95.50.
Vistra Corp. (VST)is reporting for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. The electric power utilities company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 5 analysts that follow the stock is $2.21. This value represents a 380.43% increase compared to the same quarter last year. VST missed the consensus earnings per share in the 4th calendar quarter of 2025 by -13.15%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for VST is 17.51 vs. an industry ratio of 17.80.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW)is reporting for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. The industrial services company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 8 analysts that follow the stock is $10.20. This value represents a 3.45% increase compared to the same quarter last year. GWW missed the consensus earnings per share in the 2nd calendar quarter of 2025 by -0.3%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for GWW is 26.02 vs. an industry ratio of 16.40, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
argenx SE (ARGX)is reporting for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. The biomedical (gene) company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 11 analysts that follow the stock is $5.16. This value represents a 100.00% increase compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year ARGX has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 4th calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 28.53%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for ARGX is 32.27 vs. an industry ratio of -8.40, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Datadog, Inc. (DDOG)is reporting for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. The internet software company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 10 analysts that follow the stock is $0.06. This value represents a 25.00% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year DDOG has met analyst expectations once and beat the expectations the other three quarters. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for DDOG is 455.41 vs. an industry ratio of 31.90, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Zoetis Inc. (ZTS)is reporting for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. The drug company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 10 analysts that follow the stock is $1.61. This value represents a 8.78% increase compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year ZTS has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 4th calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 5.71%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for ZTS is 16.05 vs. an industry ratio of 7.60, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Shell PLC (SHEL)is reporting for the quarter ending March 31, 2026. The oil company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 3 analysts that follow the stock is $1.78. This value represents a 3.26% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. SHEL missed the consensus earnings per share in the 4th calendar quarter of 2025 by -5.79%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2026 Price to Earnings ratio for SHEL is 9.00 vs. an industry ratio of 19.40.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.