Oil Stocks Are Spiking — Here’s What to Buy – 6/14

As Expected, These Yielding Oil Stocks are Starting to Gush Higher

The recent flare-up in the Israel-Iran conflict didn’t exactly take the market by surprise.

In fact, many seasoned investors saw it coming from a mile away.

A day before the first strikes occurred, the U.S. government announced voluntary departures and evacuations at key facilities in the region. That move alone signaled the likelihood of a brewing escalation. Add to that President Trump’s recent comments about his waning confidence in a renewed nuclear deal with Iran, and it became abundantly clear that the situation was primed for volatility — especially in energy markets.

In our Thursday briefing, we warned readers: “President Trump says he’s losing confidence in a nuclear deal with Iran. And if talks fail completely, we could be looking at the potential for direct U.S. military action — something investors cannot ignore.”

Now, just days later, that call is already starting to pay off.

Rising Tensions = Rising Oil Prices

Any disruption in the Middle East, particularly involving major players like Iran, tends to ignite a spike in crude prices. Iran holds a strategic position both geographically and economically in the global oil market. If sanctions increase, production falls, or conflict disrupts transport routes like the Strait of Hormuz, prices are almost certain to climb.

General Michael Kurilla, outgoing commander of U.S. Central Command, recently testified before Congress that detailed military strike plans against Iran had been submitted to the White House. That’s not saber-rattling — that’s real preparation for real action. Iran, meanwhile, responded with threats of retaliation against American military bases in the region if the conflict escalates.

Again, these weren’t “black swan” surprises. They were known risks with predictable market implications. That’s why our recommendation to look at oil stocks with strong fundamentals and dividends was both timely and strategic.

Keep reading for two names we highlighted — and find out why they still have room to run…

Company: EOG Resources (SYM: EOG)

On Thursday, we told readers:

“After dipping to ~$118, EOG Resources is showing strong signs of reversal — and the setup looks increasingly attractive as tensions mount in the Middle East. We believe the stock can retest $130 in the near term, and possibly go much higher.”

As of today, EOG is already up to $123.65, marking a respectable gain in a very short time frame. That’s a 4.8% move in just a few days, and the momentum may only be building.

But beyond the geopolitical tailwinds, EOG Resources is attractive for another reason: shareholder returns.

The company has a strong dividend profile, with upcoming payouts including:

• $0.975 per share payable on July 31 (record date: July 17)

• $1.02 per share payable on October 31 (record date: October 17)

With a current yield around 3.3%, EOG not only offers price appreciation potential but also a solid income stream. And if oil continues to rise, dividend hikes are certainly possible.

What also sets EOG apart is its robust balance sheet and recent $5.6 billion acquisition of Encino Energy, which strengthens its position in the Utica Shale region. UBS and Raymond James have raised their targets on the stock to $140 and $158 respectively.

In short, EOG is a best-in-class play with geopolitical and fundamental tailwinds.

Company: APA Corp. (SYM: APA)

APA Corp. is another name we flagged just before the conflict erupted. At the time, it was trading around $19.32.

Today, APA sits at $20.51, a gain of about 6.2% in just a few days. Not massive yet — but significant, especially if tensions continue to rise.

What makes APA especially attractive is its mix of value, income, and insider confidence.

Recently, APA director Chansoo Joung bought 75,000 shares at an average price of $18.25, investing $1.37 million of his own money. That’s a bullish signal if we’ve ever seen one.

APA also offers a compelling dividend yield of 5.2%. The company recently declared a $0.25 per share dividend payable on August 22 to shareholders of record as of July 22.

Beyond the income, analysts at Raymond James have raised their price target to $25, citing strong earnings, lower capex guidance, and solid production numbers. APA also aims to slash $225 million in annualized costs by year-end, improving margins even if oil prices remain volatile.

With a strong yield and improving fundamentals, APA looks like one of the best bargains in the oil patch.