In a bold address to the United Nations General Assembly last week, President Donald Trump lambasted international climate agreements and green energy initiatives, calling them “job-killing schemes” that hinder economic growth and energy independence. Trump’s speech, which echoed his administration’s pro-fossil fuel stance, has sent ripples through global markets. With policy reversals favoring deregulation in the oil and gas sector, Wall Street is once again turning its attention to traditional energy plays. This shift comes amid waning enthusiasm for ESG-driven investments and a recognition that oil and gas will remain essential for decades, as highlighted in recent analyses of the energy landscape.The renewed interest in oil and gas isn’t just rhetoric—it’s backed by market dynamics. Following the 2020 oil price crash and years of undervaluation, major players like ExxonMobil and BP have seen their stocks rebound significantly. ExxonMobil, for instance, now trades at 1.8 times its asset value, up from below 1 during the depths of the pandemic. BP shares have climbed 30% since early April, shaking off takeover rumors. European majors such as Shell and Equinor are also refocusing on upstream operations, scaling back less profitable renewable ventures like biofuels and green hydrogen amid high interest rates and supply chain woes.
This pivot aligns with Trump’s energy policies, which prioritize fossil fuels and have contributed to a more favorable environment for Big Oil.
Today’s Energy Stock Performance: A Snapshot
As of October 1, 2025, energy stocks in the oil, gas, and utilities sectors are showing robust gains, outpacing many renewable counterparts. The S&P 500 Energy Sector (XLE) has posted strong year-to-date returns, driven by natural gas demand and steady oil prices hovering around $74 per barrel.
Below, we break down the top 15 performing stocks across major oil and gas companies and utilities, focusing on today’s percentage changes where available, supplemented by year-to-date (YTD) performance for context. These figures highlight the sector’s resilience amid geopolitical stability and disciplined production strategies.
Top 15 Performing Oil and Gas Stocks
Drawing from recent market data, here are the standout performers in oil and gas exploration, production (E&P), midstream, and integrated operations. Many have benefited from elevated energy prices and policy tailwinds.
Top Performing Utility Stocks
Utilities, often seen as defensive plays, are thriving with rising power demand from data centers and electrification. Here’s a selection of top performers, blending traditional and hybrid utilities.
Utilities as a sector have outperformed the S&P 500 YTD, up 6% versus a 4% drop in the broader index.
Suburban Propane (SPH) and UGI Corp (UGI) also rank high with solid YTD gains.
Comparison to Wind and Solar StocksIn contrast, wind and solar stocks are facing headwinds from policy shifts, higher costs, and tariff impacts. While some like AES Corp surged +13.56% today on specific news, the sector’s overall YTD performance lags. The Wind Energy Index rose a modest +1.41% today, but broader trends show challenges: solar installations are growing, but stocks like First Solar (FSLR) and Enphase (ENPH) have seen volatile swings, with earlier surges (e.g., FSLR +13%, RUN +39% in August) not sustained.
Top renewables like NextEra Energy (NEE) are up marginally YTD but down 9.3% over 52 weeks, compared to oil/gas midstream’s 26.58%. Brookfield Renewable (BEP) expects 14.1% sales growth, but policy uncertainties under Trump could cap upside. Overall, traditional energy stocks are averaging 15-30% YTD gains, outstripping renewables’ 5-15% in many cases, signaling Wall Street’s preference for reliable fossil fuel plays.
As President Trump doubles down on energy dominance, the rediscovery of oil and gas could mark a new era for investors. With undervalued assets and strong fundamentals, these sectors offer stability and growth in an uncertain green transition.
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