As many investors found out in 2022, investing in a broad range of sectors can help offset losses and diversify your portfolio – especially in an ever-changing macro landscape
But each sector comes with a unique assortment of benefits and risks. Energy stocks, in particular, offer a world of opportunities in exchange for occasional volatility. Read on to learn more about investing in energy stocks from Australia.
What are energy stocks?
Energy stocks fit into the energy sector of the stock market – 1 of 11 sectors defined by the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS).
The GICS states "the Energy Sector comprises companies engaged in exploration & production, refining & marketing and storage & transportation of oil & gas and coal & consumable fuels. It also includes companies that offer oil & gas equipment and services."
It has also grown to include renewable energy as the world transitions to alternate sources.
What subcategories are included in this sector?
If you're investing in energy stocks, it could fall into any of the following subcategories:
Pipelines. These mid-stream providers transport oil and natural gas from the drilling site to their respective refineries.
Mining. Mining companies produce coal that helps fuel power plants.
Renewable energy. Those that produce wind and solar energy are considered renewable energy providers.
Chemicals. This subcategory is comprised of companies responsible for refining oil and gas into specialty chemicals.
How to invest in energy stocks
There are 2 ways Australian investors can invest in the energy sector: individual stocks or exchange traded funds. Individual stocks are highly liquid but offer limited exposure. Sector-tracking ETFs are less risky than stocks and offer portfolio diversification but typically pay lower dividends and have higher fees.
You’ll need a brokerage account to invest in stocks and ETFs in Australia. Here’s a quick look at the process:
Select a platform. Explore your brokerage account options to find the platform that best matches your investment goals.
Pick your securities. Use your platform’s research tools to search for stocks and ETFs by sector.
Place an order. Once you’ve found a security you’d like to purchase, place your order.
Track your investments. Monitor your investments by logging into your brokerage account.
What energy stocks are there?
Company summary
Woodside Energy Group Ltd engages in the exploration, evaluation, development, production, marketing, and sale of hydrocarbons in Oceania, Asia, Canada, Africa, and internationally. The company produces liquefied natural gas, pipeline natural gas, condensate, liquefied petroleum gas, and crude oil. It holds interests in the Greater Browse, Greater Sunrise, Greater Pluto, Greater Exmouth, North West Shelf, Wheatstone, Julimar-Brunello, Canada, Senegal, Greater Scarborough, and Myanmar projects. The company was formerly known as Woodside Petroleum Ltd and changed its name to Woodside Energy Group Ltd in May 2022. Woodside Energy Group Ltd was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Perth, Australia.
Santos Limited explores for, develops, produces, transports, and markets hydrocarbons in Australia and Papua New Guinea. The company's assets are located in the Cooper Basin, Queensland and NSW, Papua New Guinea, Western Australia, Northern Australia and Timor-Leste. It also holds an asset in Alaska, the United States; and engages in the development of decarbonization technologies, such as carbon capture and storage technologies. In addition, the company produces crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas, ethane, coal seam gas, liquefied natural gas, and condensate, as well as natural gas. Santos Limited was incorporated in 1954 and is headquartered in Adelaide, Australia.
Oil Search Limited explores for, develops, and produces oil and gas properties primarily in Papua New Guinea, the United States, and Australia. It operates through PNG Business Unit and Alaska Business Unit segments. The company is involved in the exploration, development, production, and sale of hydrocarbons, liquefied natural gas, crude oil, natural gas, condensate, naphtha, and other refined products; and power generation activities. As of December 31, 2020, its proved and probable reserves, and contingent resources comprised approximately 547.2 million barrels of oil and condensate; and 3,956.4 billion cubic feet of gas. The company was incorporated in 1929 and is based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. As of December 17, 2021, Oil Search Limited operates as a subsidiary of Santos Limited.
Origin Energy Limited, an integrated energy company, engages in the exploration and production of natural gas, electricity generation, wholesale and retail sale of electricity and gas, and sale of liquefied natural gas in Australia and internationally. The company operates through, Energy Markets, Integrated Gas, and Corporate segments. Its exploration and production portfolio includes the Bowen and Surat basins in Queensland; the Browse basin in Western Australia; and the Beetaloo basin in the Northern Territory. The company also generates electricity from coal, wind, pumped water storage, solar, and cogeneration plants; sells electricity, natural gas, and LPG; provides GreenPower and green gas products; and supplies LPG to residentials and businesses. In addition, it offers electric and gas hot water systems; split system air conditioners; ducted and space heating solutions; ducted evaporative cooling systems; and ducted reverse cycle air conditioning systems. Origin Energy Limited was incorporated in 1946 and is based in Barangaroo, Australia.
Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited, an investment company, engages in investing various industries and asset classes in Australia. It operates through Strategic Portfolio, Large Caps Portfolio, Emerging Companies Portfolio, Private Equity Portfolio, Structured Yield Portfolio, and Property Portfolio segments. The company invests in various industries, such as natural resources, building materials, telecommunications, retail, agriculture, property equity, investments and corporate advisory, financial services, education, and others. Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited was founded in 1872 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.
Ampol Limited purchases, refines, distributes, and markets petroleum products in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States. The company operates through Convenience Retail, Z Energy, and Fuels and Infrastructure segments. The Convenience Retail segment sells fuels through Ampol's network of stores. The Fuels and Infrastructure segment wholesales fuels and lubricant supplies. The Z Energy segment distributes fuel in the New Zealand market. It distributes its products through depots, terminals, pipelines, and service station sites. The company sells fuels to various customers in defense, mining, transport, marine, agriculture, aviation, and other commercial and industrial sectors. The company was formerly known as Caltex Australia Limited and changed its name to Ampol Limited in May 2020. The company was founded in 1900 and is headquartered in Alexandria, Australia.
Worley Limited provides professional project and asset services to energy, chemicals, and resources sectors worldwide. The company offers digital, consulting, engineering and design, construction management, construction and fabrication, supply chain management, project management, and operation and maintenance services, as well as maintenance, modification, and operation services. It serves new energy, power, upstream and midstream, refining and chemicals, and infrastructure markets, as well as mining, minerals, and metals markets. The company was formerly known as WorleyParsons Limited and changed its name to Worley Limited in October 2019. The company was founded in 1893 and is based in Sydney, Australia.
Beach Energy Limited operates as an oil and gas exploration and production company. It engages in the operated and non-operated, onshore and offshore, and oil and gas production in five producing basins across Australia and New Zealand. The company also explores, develops, produces, and transports hydrocarbons; and sells gas and liquid hydrocarbons. The company was formerly known as Beach Petroleum Limited and changed its name to Beach Energy Limited in December 2009. The company was incorporated in 1961 and is headquartered in Adelaide, Australia.
Yancoal Australia Ltd engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of metallurgical and thermal coal in Australia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Europe, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Chile, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Bangladesh. The company owns a 95% interest in the Moolarben coal mine located in the Western Coalfields of New South Wales; 80% interest in the Mount Thorley and Warkworth mines located in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales; and 51% interest in the Hunter Valley Operations located to the north-west of Singleton in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. It also holds 100% interests in the Yarrabee mine located to the north east of Blackwater in Central Queensland's Bowen Basin; Donaldson located in the Hunter Valley; Ashton mine located in the Upper Hunter Valley region of New South Wales; and Stratford Duralie mine located within the New South Wales Gloucester Basin, the Stratford Duralie. In addition, the company owns a 50% interest in the Middlemount mine located to the north east of Emerald in Queensland's Bowen Basin; and Austar and Cameby Downs, and other interests located in New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. The company was incorporated in 2004 and is based in Sydney, Australia. Yancoal Australia Ltd is a subsidiary of Yankuang Energy Group Company Limited.
Viva Energy Group Limited operates as an energy company in Australia, Singapore, and Papua New Guinea. It operates through three segments: Convenience & Mobility, Commercial & Industrial, and Energy & Infrastructure. The Convenience & Mobility segment operates as an integrated convenience and fuel network under the Shell and Coles Express brands; and supplies fuels and lubricants through the Shell, Liberty, and Westside branded retail service stations. The Commercial & Industrial segment supplies fuel, lubricants, polypropylene, and specialty hydrocarbon products to commercial customers in the aviation, marine, transport, resources, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing industries, as well as wholesalers. The Energy & Infrastructure owns and operates a refinery in Geelong, Victoria that refines crude oil into petroleum products; and manufacturer of bitumen and aviation gasoline used in piston engine aircraft, aromatic and aliphatic-based solvents, and polypropylene products. Viva Energy Group Limited was founded in 1901 and is based in Docklands, Australia.
Whitehaven Coal Limited develops and operates coal mines in New South Wales and Queensland. It operates through three segments: Open Cut Operations, Underground Operations, and Coal Trading and Blending. The company produces metallurgical and thermal coal. It operates four mines, including three open cut and one underground located in the Gunnedah Coal Basin in New South Wales. The company sells coal in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Europe, and internationally. Whitehaven Coal Limited was founded in 1999 and is based in Sydney, Australia.
The stock market is in constant flux, and individual stocks can change prices second by second. But you can use the performance of ETFs to gauge the average performance of a stock market sector over time. The graph below tracks the VanEck Vectors Australian Resources (MVR).
Why invest in energy stocks?
Energy is a resource the world depends on. The energy market is massive, and for good reason – this resource has been in high demand for many years. And even accounting for the shift towards clean energy, the world is still decades away from being free from oil, coal and gas.
Profitability in the energy sector is largely tied to the price of crude oil, but stock prices are typically stable and frequently pay dividends. Income from energy stocks may also be tax-sheltered – an attractive incentive for Australian investors.
What unique risks does the energy sector face?
Politics play a sizeable role in the energy sector. If companies explore energy resources in unstable territories, projects are at risk of being sidelined or halted in the face of political turmoil.
Incorrect geological reports, oil spills and accidents can be costly for Australian investors. This sector isn’t without its risks and investors should weigh the benefits against the drawbacks before allocating funds.
Important: The standard brokerage fee displayed is the trade cost for new customers to purchase $1,000 of either Australian or US shares. Where a platform charges different fees for both US and Australian shares we show the lower of the two. Where both CHESS sponsored and custodian shares are offered, we display the cheapest option.
Bottom line
The energy sector offers the opportunity for profit but carries a unique set of risks. The best way to invest depends on your portfolio and your investment goals. Review your trading platform options to find the brokerage account that best meets your needs.
Frequently asked questions
Some of the biggest companies in the energy sector include Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Kinder Morgan, Schlumberger and Shell.
Companies within the energy sector produce and distribute both non-renewable and renewable energy, including petroleum, natural gas, gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, nuclear energy, hydropower, biofuels, wind power and solar power.
Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of futures, stocks, ETFs, CFDs, options or any specific provider, service or offering. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or construed as providing recommendations of any kind. Futures, stocks, ETFs and options trading involves substantial risk of loss and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Trading CFDs and forex on leverage comes with a higher risk of losing money rapidly. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before making any trades. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) for the product on the provider's website.
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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by David Gregory as part of our fact-checking process.
Shannon Terrell is a writer for Finder who studied communications and English literature at the University of Toronto. On any given day, you can find her researching everything from equine financing and business loans to student debt refinancing and how to start a trust. She loves hot coffee, the smell of fresh books and discovering new ways to save her pennies. See full bio
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