Energy Sector Outperforms with 6.2% Gain in Q3

Market Overview - Markets maintained momentum into Q3 2025, with the S&P 500 advancing 7.8%, driven by moderating inflation and rising expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts [1] - Dividend-paying sectors showed resilience, while cyclical industries experienced strong gains [1] Sector Performance - A rotation towards cyclical and commodity-linked stocks intensified as rate expectations shifted towards easing [2] - Technology, Consumer Discretionary, and Communication Services led sector gains, while the Energy sector achieved a 6.2% gain, outperforming Real Estate, Materials, and Consumer Staples [3] Energy Sector Insights - Despite softer crude prices, strong demand for oil and gas, record U.S. LNG exports, and robust downstream margins contributed to broad-based performance, with total returns averaging mid- to high-single digits [4] - Upstream oil and gas producers saw an average gain of 5.8%, with APA Corporation leading at 34.6% due to strong production volumes and cost controls [6] - Midstream companies collectively gained 8.2%, driven by tankers like Scorpio Tankers and KNOT Offshore Partners, which saw gains over 40% [8] - The refining sector excelled, with the "Big Three" refiners generating an average return of 19.8% [10]