10 Best Energy Stocks To Invest In 2013

I was a bit surprised when I took a look at the best performing ETF’s in 2013, especially when I saw that coal related stocks had done so well. There is so much discussion about the older energy sources such as coal, oil and natural gas that have been moving our economy for decades. Climate change discussions as well as rising commodity prices have helped bring alternative or renewable energy discussions to the front table.

The problem of course is that these new energy sources are often much more expensive and while that may change in the future, it is not clear how much time it will take. It seems like I have been reading about electric or hydrogen cars for over a decade and yet there is no sign of when a gasoline free car will be mass produced.

However, I don’t think anyone could argue that there will be some big winners in the alternative energy field. Just imagine the company that can produce that first battery or solar car?? There will be some big winners in this field, just as there were in the early days of pc’s or of the internet. But finding the right one is the tricky part.

The million dollar question is also how much time it will take to get alternative energy in the driver’s seat. Could coal and oil be at the top of the 2013 best performing stocks? It could happen. In the end, I decided not to use any energy picks in my top stock picks for 2013 but I do still believe there is money to be made. By far, the biggest alternative energy category is solar energy.

10 Best Energy Stocks To Invest In 2013:MarkWest Energy Partners LP (MWE)

 Markwest Energy Partners, L.P., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the gathering, processing, and transportation of natural gas. The company also transports, fractionates, storages, and markets natural gas liquids; and gathers and transports crude oil, as well as owns a crude oil transportation pipeline in Michigan. It conducts its operations in the Southwest, the Northeast, Liberty, and the Gulf Coast. MarkWest Energy GP, L.L.C. serves as the general partner of the company. MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. was founded in 1988 and is based in Denver, Colorado.

10 Best Energy Stocks To Invest In 2013:Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM)

 Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, and manufacture of petroleum products, as well as transportation and sale of crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products. The company manufactures and markets commodity petrochemicals, including olefins, aromatics, polyethylene and polypropylene plastics, and other specialty products. As of December 31, 2010, it operated 35,691 gross and 30,494 net operated wells. The company has operations in the United States, Canada/South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia/Oceania. Exxon Mobil Corporation was founded in 1870 and is based in Irving, Texas.

Advisors' Opinion:

• By Hawkinvest At 2012-2-23

  Exxon (XOM) is a must-own stock for many oil investors. This company has a strong balance sheet and a very significant reserve base, which grows in value with the price of oil. Exxon recently reported solid results with earnings for the fourth quarter of 2011 coming in at $1.97 per share. The company also reported that it bought back about $5 billion worth of shares. Weaker margins in the refinery business did impact results, but overall, the report shows that the company is poised for a solid year ahead. Exxon has a very strong balance sheet and it can afford to continue buying back shares which will help to boost future earnings. This stock was trading for about $80 per share in December, but has been trending higher. Exxon shares have recently been finding support around $83 per share, so buying on dips at that level are particularly attractive.

   

  Here are some key points for XOM:

   

  Current share price: $86.57

  The 52 week range is $67.03 to $88.23

  Earnings estimates for 2011: $8.25 per share

  Earnings estimates for 2012: $8.99 per share

  Annual dividend: about $1.88 per share which yields about 2.2%

• By John Reese At 2012-1-11

  Again, another company that will win either way.  This is the largest company by market cap on the US stock market.  That makes them a safe haven asset when the economy is going south.  But in addition to their defensive qualities, they also have great long term prospects for growth.  They are always finding new reserves of oil.  But they are also investing in other energy sources as well like natural gas.  I think they will be a huge player in the natural gas power generation business in years to come.  I’m bullish here because I think gas will become a major player in the power generation industry in the US.  It burns cleaner than coal and safer than nuclear.

• By Dave Friedman At 2011-9-23

  Institutional investors bought 79,917,190 shares and sold 113,327,900 shares, for a net of -33,410,710 shares. This net represents 0.68% of common shares outstanding. The number of shares outstanding is 4,885,000,000. The shares recently traded at $72.64 and the company’s market capitalization is $353,184,000,000.00. About the company: Exxon Mobil Corporation operates petroleum and petrochemicals businesses on a worldwide basis. The Company’s operations include exploration and production of oil and gas, electric power generation, and coal and minerals operations. Exxon Mobil also manufactures and markets f! uels, lu bricants, and chemicals.

• By Jim Cramer At 2011-9-7

  Hmm. This is a tough one. Oil up $10 will certainly help, but the overpay of XTO Energy (XTO), a nat gas company bought when prices were so much higher, will continue to bite earnings and the company's conservative nature will make it seem plodding versus the other companies here. I don't share the appreciation many have for this company. I regard it more as a bank than an exploration and production company. That's why I see it only inching up about $5 to $78 and change, a very disappointing member of the Dow considering what is does for a living.

10 Best Energy Stocks To Invest In 2013:Energy Transfer Equity L.P. (ETE)

 Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., through its direct and indirect investments in the limited partner and general partner interests in Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., engages in midstream, intrastate, and interstate transportation of natural gas, as well as in storage of natural gas in the United States. The company?s Intrastate Transportation and Storage segment engages in the ownership and operation of natural gas transportation pipelines and natural gas storage facilities. As of December 31, 2009, it owned and operated approximately 7,800 miles of natural gas transportation pipelines and 3 natural gas storage facilities. This segment sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution companies, industrial end-users, and other marketing companies on the Houston pipeline system. Its Interstate Transportation segment involves owns and operates interstate natural gas pipeline. It owned and operates approximately 2,700 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline with an additional 180 miles under construction. The company?s Midstream segment engages in the ownership and operation of in service natural gas gathering pipelines, natural gas processing plants, natural gas treating facilities, and natural gas conditioning facilities. This segment owned and operated approximately 7,000 miles of in service natural gas gathering pipelines, 3 natural gas processing plants, 11 natural gas treating facilities, and 11 natural gas conditioning facilities. Its Retail Propane segment operates a retail distribution network consisting of approximately 440 customer service locations in approximately 40 states. The company was formerly known as La Grange Energy, L.P. Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. was founded in 2002 and is based in Dallas, Texas.

10 Best Energy Stocks To Invest In 2013:Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC (NKA)

 Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC owns and operates natural gas storage assets in North America. It owns or contracts for approximately 185.5 billion cubic feet of total gas storage capacity. The company owns and operates gas storage facilities in Alberta, Canada, as well as in northern California and Oklahoma, the United States. Its gas storage customers include financial institutions, producers, marketers, power generators, pipelines, and municipalities. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

10 Best Energy Stocks To Invest In 2013:Pengrowth Energy Corporation (PGH)

 Pengrowth Energy Corporation engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas reserves in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. It primarily explores for crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia. As of December 31, 2010, the company had total proved plus probable reserves of 318.4 millions of barrels of oil equivalent; and had an interest in 8,277 gross producing and 2,463 gross non-producing oil and natural gas wells. Pengrowth Energy Corporation was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

10 Best Energy Stocks To Invest In 2013:REX American Resources Corporation (REX)

 REX American Resources Corporation engages in the production and sale of ethanol and distillers grains. It also leases real estate properties. The company was formerly known as REX Stores Corporation and changed its name to REX American Resources Corporation on June 10, 2010. REX American Resources Corporation was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio.

10 Best Energy Stocks To Invest In 2013:ENSCO plc (ESV)

 Ensco plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides offshore contract drilling services to the oil and gas industry. The company engages in the drilling of offshore oil and natural gas wells by providing its drilling rigs and crews under contracts with international, government-owned, and independent oil and gas companies. As of February 15, 2010, it owned and operated 42 jackup rigs, 4 ultra-deepwater semisubmersible rigs, and 1 barge rig. The company also has 4 ultra-deepwater semisubmersible rigs under construction. It operates in Asia, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa, and North and South America. The company was formerly known as Ensco International plc and changed its name to Ensco plc in March 2010. Ensco plc was founded in 1975 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

Advisors' Opinion:

• By Jake Lynch At 2011-10-6

  Ensco(ESV) sells offshore contract drilling services to other oil and gas companies. The company is based in London.

  Ensco is scheduled to report fourth-quarter results on Feb. 24. Its third-quarter adjusted earnings of 92 cents exceeded Wall Street's consensus forecast by 3.5%. Revenue of $428 million beat the target by 2.1%. Nevertheless, net sales are down 10% over 12 months and GAAP profit has declined year-over-year in seven consecutive quarters, hurting its stock.

  But, the stock is cheap relative to those of peers, trading at a trailing earnings multiple of 13, a forward earnings multiple of 13, a book value multiple of 1.3 and a cash flow multiple of 9.1, 80%, 38%, 56% and 46% discounts to oil-and-gas industry averages.

  Currently, 56% of analysts covering Ensco rate its stock "buy." Jefferies has a price target of $64 on the stock, suggesting 20% of upside in 2011. The highest target comes from FBR Capital Markets, which predicts a rise to $70 in the next 12 months.

• By Skousen At 2011-10-6

  Ensco is a global offshore contract drilling company. Cramer holds 2,100 shares of ESV stocks. ESV has a dividend yield of 2.97% and returned -5.86% since the beginning of this year. It has a market cap of $10.94B and a P/E ratio of 16.54. Robert Rodriguez and Steven Romick invested $429 million in ESV

10 Best Energy Stocks To Invest In 2013:Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ)

 Canadian Natural Resources Limited engages in the exploration, development, production, marketing, and sale of crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas. The company?s products include light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. Its midstream activities include operation of three crude oil pipelines and an electricity co-generation facility. The company operates in North America; the United Kingdom portion of the North Sea; and Cote d Ivoire and Gabon in offshore West Africa. Canadian Natural Resources Limited was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• By Skousen At 2011-10-26

  Shares are trading around $31.50 at the time of writing, as against their 52-week trading range of $25.69 to $52.04. At this share price the company’s market capitalization is $34.72 billion. Earnings per share last year were $1.14, and the shares trade on a price to earnings multiple of 27.79. The company paid a dividend to shareholders of $0.36 last year, a yield of 1.20%.

  The price of natural gas has been held back over recent years as shale gas production has increased supply, and margins at the main exploration companies may be held back as economic malaise limits demand. With Canadian Natural Resources’ gross margin of 56.47% converting to an operating margin of 16.84%, the company holds up well against its main competitors. Encana (ECA) has a better gross margin (60.90%), but high overheads work this down rapidly to 10.25% at the operating level. Whilst Suncor Energy (SU) and Imperial Oil (IMO) both have operating margins of around 13.5%, Suncor benefits from gross margins of 47.26% versus Imperial’s more meagre 21.35%. With a better mix of oil, petroleum, and gas in its business structure than both Canadian Natural Resources and better gross margins than Imperial Oil, I think Suncor Energy is the better buy of the three.

• By Admin At 2011-9-28

  Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ): Down 2.13% to $29.40. Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. acquires, explores for, develops, and produces natural gas, crude oil, and related products. The Company operates in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, northeastern British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Canadian Natural also operates in areas which have access for exploration activities and where pipeline systems already exist.

10 Best Energy Stocks To Invest In 2013:Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (CLF)

 Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., a mining and natural resources company, produces iron ore pellets, lump and fines iron ore, and metallurgical coal products. The company operates six iron ore mines in Michigan, Minnesota, and eastern Canada; two iron ore mining complexes in Western Australia; five metallurgical coal mines located in West Virginia and Alabama; and one thermal coal mine located in West Virginia. It also owns a 45% economic interest in a coking and thermal coal mine located in Queensland, Australia; and a 30% interest in Amapa, a Brazilian iron ore project in Latin America, as well as chromite properties in Ontario, Canada. The company, formerly known as Cleveland-Cliffs Inc, was founded in 1847 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

Advisors' Opinion:

• By Sam Collins At 2011-9-11

  Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: CLF ), formerly Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., is an international mining and natural resources company that produces iron ore pellets and metallurgical coal. CLF should benefit from a strong market position in North America and a platform for expansion to Asia.

  Technically the stock is in a powerful bull market, holding above both its bullish support line and 200-day moving average . Within the past month, two buys signals were triggered from our internal indicator, the Collins-Bollinger Reversal (CBR), and on Sept. 27, the stochastic issued a buy signal. The technical target for CLF is $75. S&P rates the stock a "four-star buy" with a 12-month target of $78.

• By Michael At 2011-9-8

  Cliffs Natural Resources (NYSE:CLF) also had a great February, and finished up 48% for the month. The company reported fourth quarter of 2009 earnings of $0.75 per share, beating analystestimates of $0.39. The momentum from this positive earnings surprise carried the stock for the rest of the month.

10 Best Energy Stocks To Invest In 2013:Joy Global Inc. (JOYG)

 Joy Global Inc. engages in the manufacture and servicing of mining equipment for the extraction coal, copper, iron ore, oil sands, and other minerals worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Underground Mining Machinery and Surface Mining Equipment. The Underground Mining Machinery segment produces continuous miners, longwall shearers, powered roof supports, armored face conveyors, shuttle cars, flexible conveyor trains, roof bolters, battery haulers, continuous haulage systems, feeder breakers, conveyor systems, high angle conveyors, and crushing equipment, as well as longwall mining systems consisting of powered roof supports, an armored face conveyor, and a longwall shearer. This segment also rebuilds and services equipment, and sells replacement parts and consumables in support of installed base. The Surface Mining Equipment segment produces electric mining shovels, walking draglines, and rotary blasthole drills for open-pit mining operations. This segment also sells used electric mining shovels; and provides logistics and life cycle management support services, including equipment erections, relocations, inspections, service, repairs, rebuilds, upgrades, used equipment, new and used parts, enhancement kits, and training, as well as offers electric motor rebuilds and other products and services to the non-mining industrial segment. In addition, it offers wheel loaders, as well as jack-up rigs and ancillary equipment for the oil and gas drilling industries. Joy Global Inc. sells its products primarily to global and regional mining companies. The company was founded in 1884 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Advisors' Opinion:

• By Sam Collins At 2011-9-11

  Joy Global (NASDAQ: JOYG), a manufacturer of surface and underground mining equipment, is expected to increase revenues by 18.5% this year versus a 2% decline in 2010 (October FY). It has an order backlog of $1.8 billion, and S&P expects it to continue to see bo! th highe r orders and backlog.?

  Ford Research rates JOYG a “strong buy” and S&P’s rates it a “four-star buy” with a target price of $98. The stock has found support on its 50-day moving average since the major breakout at $63 in August. The technical target for JOYG is $100.