Q3 Energy Earnings: 4 Stocks That Could Surpass Forecasts

Core Insights - The third-quarter 2025 earnings season for Oil/Energy companies is underway, with many companies exceeding expectations despite falling oil prices [1][2] - Improved natural gas prices have helped offset some weaknesses in crude oil, leading to a more resilient sector performance than anticipated [2][8] Revenue & Earnings Analysis - Year-over-year comparison shows a decline in average monthly WTI crude prices from $81.80, $76.68, and $70.24 per barrel in Q3 2024 to $68.39, $64.86, and $63.96 per barrel in Q3 2025, indicating a weaker oil price environment [4] - In contrast, U.S. Henry Hub average natural gas prices increased from $2.07, $1.99, and $2.28 in Q3 2024 to $3.20, $2.91, and $2.97 in Q3 2025, reflecting positive signals for natural gas [5] - The energy sector is projected to experience a 4.9% decline in earnings compared to Q3 2024, while revenues are expected to increase by 1% [6] Company Performance Highlights - Approximately 37.5% of S&P 500 companies have reported results, showing a 49.6% year-over-year earnings increase with a 5% rise in revenues [7] - Nearly 78% of companies have exceeded both earnings and revenue estimates, indicating a broadly strong earnings season [8] Stock Recommendations - Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ) has an Earnings ESP of +1.55% and a Zacks Rank of 2, scheduled to release earnings on Nov. 6, with a historical earnings surprise of 7.1% on average [12] - Delek US Holdings (DK) has a Zacks Rank of 3 and an Earnings ESP of +98.57%, set to release results on Nov. 7, with an average earnings surprise of 16.1% [13] - Calumet Specialty Products Partners (CLMT) holds a Zacks Rank of 3 and an Earnings ESP of +29.48%, scheduled to release earnings on Nov. 7, but has a historical average earnings surprise of -104.8% [14][15] - Northern Oil and Gas (NOG) has an Earnings ESP of +1.83% and a Zacks Rank of 3, with earnings release on Nov. 6, and an average earnings surprise of 23.8% [16]