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In this piece, we will take a look at ten best natural gas stocks to invest in according to hedge funds.
The natural gas sector has experienced significant fluctuations in recent years, driven by a variety of geopolitical, economic, and environmental factors. As the global energy transition takes shape, natural gas remains a crucial player in the energy mix, offering a relatively cleaner alternative to coal and oil. This importance is reflected in its role in power generation, industrial activities, and heating, particularly in fast-growing markets across Asia and the Middle East. In this article, we explore the ten best natural gas stocks to invest in, based on insights from hedge funds. These stocks represent companies that are well-positioned to benefit from the evolving dynamics of the natural gas industry, including shifts in global supply and demand, the rise of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and increasing investments in cleaner, low-emission gases.
According to the World Bank’s 2024 Commodity Markets Outlook, natural gas prices rebounded significantly in mid-2024 after a steep decline earlier in the year, following a mild winter. U.S. prices surged by 80% compared to their average in March, while European prices saw a 25% increase. This recovery was driven by strong demand from Asia, particularly for LNG, as well as outages and supply disruptions in Europe. Despite this rebound, natural gas prices are expected to be lower in 2024 compared to the previous two years, reflecting a cooling in demand and ample supply. However, a recovery is anticipated in 2025 as markets stabilize and the demand for cleaner energy sources grows.
Natural gas demand has been relatively stable, with some regions, such as Asia-Pacific, seeing an uptick driven by industrial activity in China and India. Meanwhile, Europe’s demand has remained subdued, 22% lower than its 2005 peak. The World Bank expects global demand to grow by about 2% annually through 2024 and 2025, primarily fueled by emerging markets in China and the Middle East. However, advanced economies are projected to see flat or declining demand due to a shift towards renewable energy and increased energy efficiency. At the same time, global supplies have remained stable, with record-high U.S. production offsetting declines in Russia and Europe. LNG exports from the U.S., Qatar, and Africa are expected to continue expanding to meet growing demand, particularly in Asia.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) also highlights similar trends in its 2024 Gas Market Report. According to the IEA, global gas demand grew by 3% in the first half of 2024, surpassing the historical average growth rate of 2%. However, this recovery remains fragile, with supply constraints and geopolitical tensions contributing to price volatility. The IEA points out that Asia accounted for 60% of the demand growth, with China and India seeing over 10% year-on-year increases in gas consumption. This surge in demand was driven largely by industrial use, supported by economic expansion in the region. On the supply side, LNG production faced challenges in the second quarter of 2024, marking its first year-on-year contraction since the COVID-19 pandemic. This decline in output was attributed to feed gas supply issues and unexpected outages, leading to upward pressure on prices in key markets.
As we look ahead, the natural gas market is poised for a period of moderate growth, driven by demand in fast-growing economies and the expansion of LNG trade. Both the World Bank and the IEA agree that while global demand is set to increase, the market remains vulnerable to a range of risks, including geopolitical developments, supply disruptions, and the transition to cleaner energy sources. In this context, companies that can navigate these challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the LNG sector, as well as in low-emission gas technologies, are likely to emerge as strong investment candidates.
In the second half of 2024, natural gas demand growth is expected to slow, with the IEA forecasting a year-on-year increase of just under 2%. The decline in LNG production in the second quarter of 2024 has led to tighter supply-demand fundamentals, pushing up prices in key markets such as Asia and Europe. The U.S., which has been a major driver of global LNG exports, is expected to see further expansion in export capacity by the end of the year. The Freeport LNG expansion, the ramp-up of Plaquemines LNG, and the start-up of Corpus Christi Stage 3 are among the key projects set to come online, boosting U.S. export capacity. These developments will play a crucial role in meeting growing demand in Asia and offsetting supply shortfalls in other regions.
Despite the challenges facing the natural gas industry, there are several reasons for optimism. The continued expansion of LNG trade, particularly between the U.S. and Asia, presents significant growth opportunities for companies involved in the production, transportation, and distribution of natural gas. Additionally, the increasing focus on low-emission gases offers new avenues for growth, as governments and corporations alike seek to reduce their carbon footprints. According to the IEA, the supply of low-emission gases is expected to more than double by 2027, driven by policy support and investment in cleaner energy technologies. This trend is expected to benefit natural gas companies that are investing in technologies to reduce emissions and improve the sustainability of their operations.
In short, while the natural gas market faces several uncertainties, it remains a critical component of the global energy landscape. Companies that are well-positioned to navigate the complexities of supply and demand, expand their LNG operations, and invest in low-emission technologies are likely to perform well in the coming years. As investors look for opportunities in this space, the ten natural gas stocks highlighted in this article offer a compelling mix of growth potential, financial stability, and strategic positioning within the broader energy transition. Whether driven by rising LNG exports or the push for cleaner energy, these stocks represent some of the best investment opportunities in the natural gas sector today.
A large natural gas pipeline running through a rural landscape with mountains in the background.
Our Methodology
For this article, we sifted through ETFs and online rankings to first compile a list of 20 natural gas stocks. Next, we selected the 10 stocks that were the most widely held by hedge funds, as of Q2 2024. The list is arranged in ascending order of the number of hedge fund holders in each firm.
At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
10. Range Resources Corporation (NYSE:RRC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 38
Range Resources Corporation (NYSE:RRC) is a key player in the natural gas sector, making it an excellent candidate for inclusion in our list of ten best natural gas stocks to invest in according to hedge funds. As of the second quarter of 2024, 38 hedge funds hold positions in Range Resources, a notable increase from 30 in the previous quarter, signaling growing confidence among institutional investors. The company’s strong presence in the Appalachian region and its diversified operations in natural gas, NGLs, and crude oil have cemented its position as a leader in the energy sector.
In its Q2 2024 earnings report, Range Resources Corporation (NYSE:RRC) demonstrated resilience in a challenging environment by maintaining efficient capital expenditure and generating substantial free cash flow. The company’s low breakeven costs, driven by class-leading drilling and completion processes, along with its liquids-rich portfolio, provided significant financial benefits. Liquids revenue uplifted natural gas prices during the quarter, with NGL price realizations outperforming industry benchmarks such as Henry Hub.
Range Resources Corporation (NYSE:RRC) continues to capitalize on its diverse transportation portfolio, exporting a majority of its propane to international markets, notably China. This export flexibility, combined with domestic sales optimization for other liquids like butane, allowed the company to achieve a premium of $24.35 per barrel for NGLs in Q2, $1.26 above the Mont Belvieu equivalent.
Operationally, the company turned 17 wells to sale, focusing on long laterals, some extending over 15,000 feet. This efficiency reduced well costs and boosted production, which reached 2.15 Bcf per day in Q2. Liquids accounted for 30% of production, with an expected rise to 32% in the second half of 2024.
From a financial standpoint, Range Resources Corporation (NYSE:RRC) posted a cash margin of 37% and realized $3.10 per Mcfe, $1.22 above NYMEX Henry Hub prices. The company’s disciplined approach to managing costs and capital allocation has resulted in strong cash flow, supporting debt reduction, share buybacks, and dividend payments. With a vast inventory of high-quality wells and strong financial metrics, Range Resources Corporation (NYSE:RRC) is well-positioned to deliver long-term value to shareholders while meeting growing global energy demands.
09. Noble Corporation plc (NYSE:NE)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 38
Noble Corporation plc (NYSE:NE) is a leading offshore drilling contractor and an essential player in the natural gas sector. The company’s robust offshore operations and contracts in regions rich in natural gas reserves, such as Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, and West Africa, showcase its strategic positioning within the energy industry. As of Q2 2024, 38 hedge funds held stakes in Noble Corporation, slightly down from 41 in the previous quarter, reflecting its continued interest among institutional investors despite some adjustments.
Noble Corporation plc (NYSE:NE) reported strong financial performance in its Q2 2024 earnings, demonstrating its resilience and growth potential. The company’s revenue for the quarter stood at $661 million, an 8% increase from $612 million in Q1, driven by high utilization rates for its rigs. Adjusted EBITDA also saw a significant rise, reaching $271 million in Q2, compared to $183 million in Q1, marking a nearly 50% improvement. This growth was attributed to successful contract startups, including the Noble Regina Allen and Noble Discoverer rigs in South America.
Noble Corporation plc (NYSE:NE) strong free cash flow generation and commitment to returning capital to shareholders underscore its financial stability. The company increased its dividend by 25% to $0.50 per share, positioning itself as the highest dividend payer among U.S.-listed oilfield service companies. Additionally, Noble Corporation plc (NYSE:NE) backlog remains solid at $4.2 billion, indicating long-term revenue visibility, despite a slight decline from $4.4 billion in the previous quarter.
With increased demand for ultra-deepwater (UDW) rigs in key regions like Brazil, Noble is well-positioned to benefit from growing natural gas exploration and production activities. The company’s utilization rates for floaters improved to 78%, while its jackups saw utilization jump from 67% to 77%. These metrics reflect Noble Corporation plc (NYSE:NE) ability to capitalize on favorable market conditions, making it a promising investment opportunity for those looking to tap into the natural gas sector’s growth potential.
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