Energy field is growing like crazy, not just here in the United States, but all around the globe. The reason for that is pretty simple as well as understandable because there is a rising demand for energy, literally everywhere. So yeah, that’s the reason why many companies within the energy field have taken charge to meet such a high demand. Within this energy field, there are some companies that are directly involved in meeting the energy needs of the country and the world, but some others are indirectly involved because they are into the oil and gas stuff, that’s why. Some examples are like Exxon Mobil, Chevron, etc. These are by far the top and best companies within this particular space, but what about other names that have been performing insanely well in the last few years or so? If that’s what you are here for then keep on reading because here we will be giving you a detailed lowdown on the top 10 companies in the energy field today. So yeah, let’s cut this introduction stuff and get to the actual list, shall we?
1. Exxon Mobil
- Market cap: $403.86 billion
- Employees: 62,000+
Did you know this giant started way back in 1859 with just an oil well in Pennsylvania? It’s like going way back in time, right? The journey began with the Standard Oil Company, thanks to John D. Rockefeller in 1870. Even after the big split of Standard Oil in 1911, Exxon Mobil didn’t just sit back, it kept growing and growing. Now, we’re looking at a massive player in the global energy scene. They’re not just about oil and gas, they’re deep into exploration, production, refining, and hey, even making petrochemicals that pop up in tons of industries.
2. Chevron
- Market cap: $284.28 billion
- Employees: 43,846
Next up, Chevron! Originating from the breakup of Standard Oil, Chevron’s now all over the place, we’re talking about over 180 countries. These guys are doing it all: refining, distribution, you name it. And yep, they’re pretty adaptable, like how they navigated the wild times of the 2020 pandemic. Chevron’s big on using tech in some pretty tricky spots, like those deepwater oil fields.
3. ConocoPhillips
- Market cap: $139.71 billion
- Employees: 9,500+
And then there’s ConocoPhillips, hailing from Houston, Texas. These folks are major players when it comes to finding and producing oil and natural gas. Safety, caring for the environment, and staying ethical are their big things. Get this: in 2023, they boosted their dividend by a whopping 14%! That’s a sign of some serious financial muscle. With OPEC+ shaking things up with oil prices, ConocoPhillips might just hit the jackpot. They’ve got their eyes on the Willow project in Alaska too. Sure, it could be a huge oil boon, but it’s stirring up some environmental debates.
4. NextEra Energy
- Market cap: $122.59 billion
- Employees: 14,900+
So, here’s the scoop on NextEra Energy: their stock took a bit of a nosedive in 2023, dropping 27.1%, but still, their dividend yield is sitting pretty at 3.1%. This might just be the golden opportunity for savvy investors, especially considering NextEra’s track record of hiking up dividends by 11% annually since 2023. They’re big on renewable energy, like solar and wind power, you know, the stuff that’s crucial for tackling climate change. Despite the stock price hiccup, NextEra is still a heavyweight in the utility sector and its profit game is strong. Plus, the big players like The Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street Global Advisors are major backers.
5. Southern Company
- Market cap: $75.73 billion
- Employees: 27,000+
This energy giant is shaking things up in their business, and this could stir the pot with their dividends. We’ve seen a slow but steady growth in dividends, and there might be a boost on the horizon. Their vision? A zero greenhouse gas emissions future by 2050. Ambitious, right? But it’s not all smooth sailing though, it’s a pricey goal with hefty projects like nuclear power plants in the mix. Still, Southern Company has been smart with its finances, juggling earnings and debt like a pro. And yeah, they’ve got a new captain steering the ship, Christopher C. Womack, who’s all in on driving the company towards cleaner energy.
6. Schlumberger
- Market cap: $75.82 billion
- Employees: 99,000+
This is another big name in oilfield services and is holding its own in a tough market. Recently, their stock perked up by 6.95%. They are offering a ton of services for oil and gas production and leaning heavily into tech for more efficient, eco-friendly operations. Schlumberger’s got this balancing act down, making money while investing in the future. They’re pretty well-equipped to face whatever curveballs the energy market throws at them, thanks to their innovation drive and global reach.
7. Duke Energy
- Market cap: $74.65 billion
- Employees: 27,535
So, have you heard about Duke Energy? It’s this big deal in the American energy scene, right? Now, they’re in the middle of some serious brainstorming, figuring out how to play by the new rules and meet customer demands. The hot topic on their table? Green tariffs. Yep, they’re weighing the pros and cons of using these tariffs to stick to North Carolina’s carbon law. It’s all part of their big shift towards cleaner energy and cutting down those carbon emissions. They’ve been chewing over this idea for a year now, thinking about how it’ll work for both the big players and the little guys. But here’s the kicker: even if they go for these tariffs, it might not ramp up renewable energy right away. Now, for the folks in central and western North Carolina, brace yourselves: there’s a rate hike of 14.6% coming your way over the next three years. Yep, the state regulators gave it the thumbs up.
8. EOG Resources
- Market cap: $71.30 billion
- Employees: 2,900+
Moving on to EOG Resources, this company is a heavy hitter in the oil and gas league. They’re big-time players, especially in U.S. shale hotspots like the Permian Basin. Let’s talk numbers for a sec though: they’ve got a whopping 4.2 billion barrels in reserves and are pumping out about 908 thousand barrels a day. And yeah, their stock price also jumped 6.95% in just five days. Raymond James, those big-time analysts, they’re still telling folks to buy EOG stock, even though they trimmed down their price target a bit. But here’s the real deal about EOG, they’re all about keeping their shareholders happy with regular dividends. Talk about showing some love to your investors, right?
9. Phillips 66
- Market cap: $58.98 billion
- Employees: 13,000+
So, have you heard about Phillips 66 lately? They’re a pretty big deal in the U.S. refining scene. But here’s the interesting part: Elliott Investment Management, which threw a cool $1 billion into Phillips 66, is keeping a super close eye on them. Elliott’s not just watching from the sidelines; they want some real changes in the company’s board to crank up performance. They’re pointing out that Phillips 66 isn’t quite keeping up with the likes of Marathon Petroleum and Valero Energy. And Elliott’s not shy about making a bold warning: if Phillips 66 doesn’t hit its 2025 targets, it might be time for a major shake-up.
10. Marathon Petroleum
- Market cap: $57.28 billion
- Employees: 17,800+
Lastly, let’s talk about Marathon Petroleum. Big news on their end: leadership changes are happening. Starting in 2024, John Quaid will take the reins as the chief financial officer, stepping in for Maryann Mannen, who’s moving up to be the president. This isn’t just musical chairs, it’s all part of Marathon’s grand plan for growth and smashing success. Marathon isn’t playing small either. They boast the largest refining system in the U.S., not to mention a massive marketing network, including those Marathon brand stores you see around.
Conclusion
There you have it. Now, remember, in this list, we have only included the companies that have performed incredibly well this year, and they’ll likely perform the same or even better in 2024. And that could be a good thing if you are an eager investor looking forward to investing in the future of this energy field. But yeah, you might wanna dig a little deeper on your own to see which company will bring you the best return on investment because that’s what you are here for, right?
Energy Field Companies FAQs
Q. What services do energy companies provide?
Ans: Energy companies typically provide services related to the generation, transmission, and distribution of energy. This includes supplying electricity and/or natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers, as well as offering energy-related products and services such as energy efficiency programs, renewable energy options, and energy management solutions.
Q. What are the different types of energy companies?
Ans: Energy companies can be categorized into several types based on the type of energy they primarily deal with. These include electric utilities, natural gas utilities, oil and gas exploration and production companies, renewable energy developers, energy service providers, and energy trading companies.
Q. How do energy companies generate electricity?
Ans: Energy companies generate electricity using various methods, including burning fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, oil), nuclear power, hydroelectric power (from dams), and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass.
Q. Are energy companies regulated?
Ans: In many countries, energy companies are subject to regulation by government agencies or regulatory bodies that oversee aspects such as rates, service reliability, environmental compliance, and safety standards. Regulation aims to ensure fair competition, protect consumers, and promote the efficient and reliable delivery of energy services.
Q. How do energy companies address environmental concerns?
Ans: Energy companies address environmental concerns through various measures, including investing in cleaner energy technologies (such as renewable energy and carbon capture), improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, complying with environmental regulations, and implementing sustainable practices throughout their operations.
Q. What is the future outlook for the energy industry?
Ans: The energy industry is undergoing significant changes driven by factors such as technological advancements, environmental concerns, policy shifts, and evolving consumer preferences. The future outlook for the industry includes increased adoption of renewable energy, grid modernization, energy storage solutions, electrification of transportation, and greater emphasis on sustainability and decarbonization efforts.
Meet Suhas Harshe, a financial advisor committed to assisting people and businesses in confidently understanding and managing the complexities of the financial world. Suhas has shared his knowledge on various topics like business, investment strategies, optimizing taxes, and promoting financial well-being through articles in InvestmentDose.com