Are These 4 Energy Stocks Set to Beat Q3 Earnings Estimates?

Core Insights - Approximately 38% of S&P 500 energy companies have reported Q3 2025 results, indicating noticeable challenges impacting earnings [1] - The Oil-Energy sector is experiencing mixed trends, with crude prices declining due to oversupply while natural gas prices are rising amid tighter supply and geopolitical tensions [2] Commodity Performance - Crude oil prices fell sharply in Q3 2025, with West Texas Intermediate averaging $65.74 per barrel, down 14% from $76.24 in Q3 2024, primarily due to oversupply as OPEC+ nations increased production by over 1.3 million barrels per day [3] - Natural gas prices rose significantly, with the Henry Hub spot price averaging $3.03 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), a 44% increase from $2.11 in Q3 2024, driven by supply disruptions and strong demand [5] Market Dynamics - Trade tensions between the U.S. and China, potential tariffs on imports from India, and softening industrial demand expectations contributed to bearish sentiment in the oil market [4] - Geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East and concerns over tariffs on LNG equipment imports have further increased production costs, supporting the rise in natural gas prices [6] Earnings Outlook - The energy sector's Q3 2025 earnings are projected to decline by 4.9% year over year, despite a sequential improvement from a negative 16.9% in Q2 2025, with revenues expected to grow only 1% [7] - In contrast, the broader S&P 500 is expected to show earnings and revenue growth of 7.3%, highlighting the energy sector's role as a market drag [8] Company-Specific Insights - Key companies to watch include APA Corporation, Permian Resources Corporation, Energy Transfer, and Devon Energy Corporation, all facing challenges in delivering earnings beats [2][10] - APA Corporation's earnings estimate is 74 cents per share, indicating a 26% decrease year over year, with a Zacks Rank of 3 [12][13] - Permian Resources Corporation's earnings estimate is 30 cents per share, reflecting a 14.29% decrease year over year, also with a Zacks Rank of 3 [14] - Energy Transfer's earnings estimate is 33 cents per share, a 3.13% increase year over year, but it holds a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [15] - Devon Energy Corporation's earnings estimate is 93 cents per share, indicating a 15.45% decrease year over year, with a Zacks Rank of 3 [16]