TLDR
- Brent crude oil surged past $90 on March 6, 2026, boosting shares of oil companies broadly.
- Exxon announced full-year 2025 profits of $28.8 billion and distributed $37.2 billion to its shareholders.
- Chevron’s 2025 output increased by 12% to reach 3.7 million barrels of oil equivalent daily.
- Shell produced $26 billion in free cash flow during 2025 and increased its dividend payout by 4%.
- ConocoPhillips is the highest-rated stock among analysts in this set, receiving 20 Buy recommendations from Wall Street.
Oil company shares are attracting attention once again. The price of Brent crude exceeded $90 per barrel on March 6, 2026, following new supply disruptions in the Middle East that unsettled energy markets. This price movement has returned major oil producers to the forefront of investor consideration.
The five stocks currently worth examining are Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Shell, TotalEnergies, and ConocoPhillips. Each offers a distinct combination of operational size, shareholder returns, and backing from analysts.
Below is an analysis of each company and the reasons it merits evaluation at present.
Exxon Mobil
is currently valued at approximately $151.21 per share. The firm disclosed earnings of $28.8 billion for the entirety of 2025 and gave back $37.2 billion to its shareholders last year—comprising $17.2 billion in dividends and $20 billion in share repurchases.
Just in the final quarter, Exxon generated $12.7 billion in operating cash flow and $5.6 billion in free cash flow. This degree of cash production underpins its status as a dependable investment for the long term.
Analyst views vary but remain favorable overall. One recent tally indicated 9 Buy, 8 Hold, and 1 Sell ratings, resulting in a Hold consensus. Another source classified it as a Buy based on the opinions of 18 analysts. The broader Wall Street community generally regards it as a fundamental energy sector holding.
Chevron
is trading near $189.94. Its global production in 2025 expanded by roughly 12% to 3.7 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, fueled significantly by robust output from the United States.
Regarding analyst ratings, Chevron has received 13 Buy, 7 Hold, and 4 Sell recommendations from the 24 analysts monitored by MarketBeat, leading to a Hold consensus. A different source designates it a Buy based on ratings from 18 analysts.
Chevron is viewed as a high-caliber, steady company. Wall Street acknowledges the strength of its operations but is somewhat skeptical about short-term price appreciation following its recent performance.
Shell
Shell shares are trading around $84.70. The company created $26 billion in free cash flow in 2025, hiked its dividend by 4%, and repurchased $13.9 billion of its own stock over the course of the year.
Analyst outlook for Shell is more optimistic than for its American counterparts. One recent overview indicated a Moderate Buy consensus from 18 analysts, consisting of 7 Buys, 10 Holds, and 1 Strong Buy.
Shell’s blend of substantial free cash flow and prudent capital management positions it as one of the more compelling international oil majors to hold currently.
TotalEnergies
is priced at about $78.77. The corporation concluded 2025 with a gearing ratio close to 15% and returned approximately $15.6 billion to shareholders. Its portfolio includes oil, natural gas, and liquefied natural gas (LNG), complemented by investments in lower-carbon energy sources.
Analyst perspectives are split. MarketBeat data shows 7 Buy, 8 Hold, and 2 Sell ratings, suggesting a Hold consensus. A wider group of analysts assigns it a Buy rating, based on 14 Buys, 7 Holds, and 1 Sell.
TotalEnergies provides value and a sturdy financial foundation for investors seeking diversified international energy sector exposure.
ConocoPhillips
ConocoPhillips is trading at $117.07. It reported annual earnings of $8.0 billion for 2025 and is trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of about 13.3. It represents the most focused upstream operator in this selection.
Wall Street exhibits the greatest optimism toward ConocoPhillips. One source notes 19 Buy ratings, while another reports 20 Buy, 7 Hold, and 1 Sell—granting it the most robust Buy consensus among the five stocks discussed.
For investors desiring direct access to production growth without investing in a fully integrated oil major, ConocoPhillips is the clear choice.
Final Thoughts
All five of these corporations possess robust cash flows, established histories of dividend payments, and the financial resilience to endure periods of lower commodity prices. With Brent crude once again above $90, the environment for oil equities is more favorable than it has been for several months.
For investors making purchases today, Exxon continues to be the top comprehensive selection. Shell and ConocoPhillips are close behind. Chevron and TotalEnergies complete the list as reliable, steady choices for a long-term investment portfolio.
ConocoPhillips presently enjoys the most optimistic analyst consensus of the group, with 20 Buy ratings from Wall Street.
