Love — and energy — make the world go 'round. But investors have shown a cold, cold heart to the energy sector, particularly conventional oil and gas producers. They've suffered from a widespread belief that fossil-fuel energy is in long-term decline.
The near-term economic forecast hasn't helped the stocks, either. Many skeptics feel global growth in 2026 won't be enough to push the price of oil much above current levels of about $60 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate crude, which is down from highs near $80 in January 2025. And even if demand picks up, producers are standing ready to supply more oil and send the price back down.
