Core Viewpoint - Goldman Sachs is optimistic about the energy sector, highlighting ten top stocks that offer dividends and significant growth potential, as energy stocks have outperformed the S&P 500 in 2026 due to favorable market conditions [1]. Energy Sector Performance - Energy stocks have surged in 2026, with the XLE index up 23% compared to the S&P 500's 1% increase, driven by high oil prices around $70 per barrel, recovering demand from Asia, and geopolitical tensions [1]. - Goldman Sachs anticipates continued strong performance in the energy sector, with an average total return of approximately 19% for their top picks [1]. Key Stock Recommendations - **Cheniere Energy (LNG)**: Leading U.S. LNG exporter with a 0.94% dividend, positioned for growth in domestic and international markets. Goldman Sachs targets a price of $275, indicating a 25% potential gain [1]. - **EQT Corp (EQT)**: One of the largest U.S. natural gas producers with a 1.14% dividend, focused on low-cost production in the Appalachian Basin. Goldman Sachs sets a price target of $66, suggesting a 16% upside [2]. - **Golar LNG (GLNG)**: Newly added to the Conviction List, offering a 2.26% dividend. Goldman Sachs has a target price of $56, representing a 27% potential gain [2]. - **Viper Energy (VNOM)**: Focused on mineral and royalty interests in the Permian Basin, with a 5.39% dividend yield. Goldman Sachs targets a price of $54, indicating a 23% upside [2]. - **Vistra Corp (VST)**: An integrated electricity and power generation company with a 0.56% dividend, expected to support data centers and cloud computing. Goldman Sachs sets a price target of $205, representing a 28% potential gain [2].

BlueCrest's senior natural gas trader Alex Watson and several analysts have left the firm as extreme price moves in markets dented profitability, people familiar with the matter said. https://t.co/wHbqfsPNZH ...

The U.S. has become the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, and yet domestic manufacturers say they are increasingly cut off from fuel during the coldest winter days https://t.co/yQW7S4vyo0 ...

Economic Impact of Severe Winter Weather - The severe winter weather in late January and early February has significantly impacted economic activity across the U.S., particularly affecting car sales and natural gas prices [1] - Economists predict that the effects of the storms will be mostly temporary, with a rebound expected in economic activity as consumers catch up on spending [1] Car Sales and Retail Activity - Vehicle sales dropped to a three-year low in January, attributed to the harsh winter conditions that discouraged potential buyers from visiting dealerships [1] - Despite the decline in car sales, overall retail sales may not be severely impacted as consumers tend to stock up on essentials before storms [1] Natural Gas Prices - Natural gas prices surged by 81% in January compared to December, with the week ending January 30 marking the largest inventory drawdown since 2010 [1] - The Energy Information Administration has revised its forecast for natural gas prices to be 25% higher than previously estimated for the year [1] Housing Market Outlook - The cold weather is expected to negatively affect housing construction, with residential investment growth projected to decline by 3% in the first quarter [1] - Although snowstorms typically reduce economic activity without causing extensive damage, the impact on housing data is anticipated to be significant [1] Future Economic Projections - Experts believe that the economy, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), will recover from the downturn caused by the winter storms, provided there are no further severe weather events [1] - The timing of the storms early in the quarter suggests that any lost output is likely to be compensated in February and March, minimizing the overall impact on Q1 GDP [1]

Group 1: ENGIE - Sponsored ADR - ENGIE operates in the power, natural gas, and energy services sectors, with segments including Renewables, Networks, Energy Solutions, FlexGen, Retail, Nuclear, and Others [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and its current year earnings estimate has increased by 5.1% over the last 60 days [1] - ENGIE's shares have gained 25.5% over the last three months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500, which gained 1.3% [2] - The company possesses a Momentum Score of A [2] Group 2: Monolithic Power Systems - Monolithic Power Systems designs, develops, and markets high-performance power solutions [2] - The company also has a Zacks Rank of 1 and its current year earnings estimate has increased by 3.2% over the last 60 days [2] - Shares of Monolithic Power Systems have gained 19.9% over the last three months, again outperforming the S&P 500 [3] - The company holds a Momentum Score of A [3] Group 3: Seanergy Maritime Holdings - Seanergy Maritime Holdings is a pure-play Capesize ship-owner providing marine dry bulk transportation services through a modern fleet of Capesize vessels [3] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 and its current year earnings estimate has increased by 8.6% over the last 60 days [3] - Seanergy Maritime Holdings' shares have gained 27.4% over the last three months, outperforming the S&P 500 [4] - The company also possesses a Momentum Score of A [4]

The U.S. has become the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, and yet domestic manufacturers say they are increasingly cut off from fuel during the coldest winter days https://t.co/KQr3p8i7F8 ...

Group 1 - China's LNG imports are projected to rebound this year, with an increase of 3% to 10% compared to 2025, totaling between 70.5 million and 75.5 million metric tons [1][3] - In 2025, there was a notable 10% decline in China's LNG imports due to increased domestic natural gas production and a shift towards domestic energy reliance [2][3] - The first half of 2025 saw LNG imports drop by 19% year-on-year, attributed to a mild winter, reduced industrial demand, and higher pipeline imports [3] Group 2 - Recent months have shown an uptick in China's LNG imports, indicating that demand may not be as weak as earlier in 2025 [4] - Lower expected prices from a new supply wave are likely to stimulate additional LNG purchases from China, which seeks cost-effective supplies [4] - Despite the anticipated price drops, China is expected to prioritize boosting domestic and pipeline gas supply over increasing LNG imports, as LNG remains a supplemental fuel due to cost disadvantages [5]

Core Viewpoint - Orca Energy Group Inc. has declared a cash special dividend of $2.00 (Cdn) per Class A and Class B Common Share, payable on February 27, 2026, to shareholders of record on February 13, 2026, reflecting the company's commitment to return excess cash to shareholders amid ongoing challenges with the Tanzanian government [1][2]. Group 1: Dividend Announcement - The Board of Directors of Orca Energy Group Inc. has declared a cash special dividend of $2.00 (Cdn) per Class A and Class B Common Share [1]. - The special dividend will be payable on February 27, 2026, to holders of Common Shares of record on February 13, 2026 [1]. Group 2: Financial Commitment and Challenges - Since January 2020, the company has invested approximately $106.1 million (US) into the Songo Songo natural gas field and has returned approximately $122.9 million (US) to shareholders [2]. - The company is facing difficulties as the Government of Tanzania has not engaged in constructive negotiations regarding the Songo Songo license and field development [2]. - Orca Energy Group Inc. plans to continue arbitration proceedings to enforce the obligations of the Tanzanian government under the project agreements and bi-lateral investment treaty with Mauritius [2]. Group 3: Trading Procedures - The special dividend will be executed in accordance with the "due bill" trading procedures of the TSX Venture Exchange, ensuring that purchasers of Common Shares during the Due Bills Period receive entitlement to the special dividend [2]. - Common Shares will commence trading on an "ex-dividend" basis from March 2, 2026, the day after the payment date [2].

Core Insights - Natural gas markets experienced significant volatility due to cold weather effects and changing forecasts, raising questions about the impact of historic storage draws on natural gas exposure for investors [1][5] Price Action - Natural gas prices were volatile, peaking at $7.460 per MMBtu on January 28 due to extreme heating demand from Winter Storm Fern, but fell to $3.422 per MMBtu by the end of the week as forecasts turned milder [2][8] Storage and Inventory - The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a record withdrawal of 360 billion cubic feet (Bcf) from U.S. natural gas storage for the week ending January 30, flipping inventories from surplus to a slight deficit compared to seasonal norms [3][8] - Current working gas stocks are below the five-year average, indicating less margin for error if colder weather returns [3] Production and Supply - Natural gas production has largely recovered from freeze-offs, with output nearing record levels and rising gas rig counts indicating continued production growth [4] - Despite positive storage data, increased supply may limit price gains unless demand rises [4] Market Outlook - Natural gas prices are expected to remain volatile, influenced by weather changes and daily balances, but the record storage draw has improved the medium-term outlook for the market [5][6] - Strong demand for power generation, steady LNG exports, and tighter inventories support a more constructive view for natural gas fundamentals [6] Company Focus - **Expand Energy**: The largest natural gas producer in the U.S. post-merger, well-positioned to benefit from rising demand due to LNG exports and electrification trends. The 2026 earnings per share estimate indicates a 29.5% year-over-year improvement [9][10] - **Antero Resources**: Focused on natural gas and liquids in the Appalachian Basin, with a strong production mix and low debt profile. The 2026 earnings per share estimate suggests a 78.3% year-over-year surge [11][12] - **Excelerate Energy**: Specializes in LNG infrastructure and services, accounting for about 20% of the global Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs) fleet. The 2026 earnings per share estimate indicates 32.2% year-over-year growth [13][14]

Core Viewpoint - Expand Energy Corporation is relocating its corporate headquarters from Oklahoma City to Houston in mid-2026 to enhance relationships with key industry partners and support long-term growth objectives [1][2]. Group 1: Headquarters Relocation - The relocation aims to strengthen the executive leadership team's connections with industry and commercial partners, facilitating the company's growth strategy [1]. - Oklahoma City will continue to serve as a center of excellence for the company's operations, with a commitment to supporting local employees and the community [1]. Group 2: Leadership Changes - Michael Wichterich has been appointed as Interim President and CEO, succeeding Domenic (Nick) J. Dell'Osso, who will serve as an external advisor during the transition [2][3]. - The Board is actively searching for a permanent CEO with the help of an independent recruitment firm [2]. Group 3: Company Growth and Performance - Under Dell'Osso's leadership, the company grew from a $5 billion business to a $26 billion investment-grade enterprise included in the S&P 500 Index [3]. - The new headquarters in Houston is expected to leverage the city's role as a gateway to the global natural gas market, enhancing the company's strategy to provide affordable and reliable lower carbon energy [3]. Group 4: Financial Outlook - The company reaffirmed its synergy, capital, and operating outlook for the fourth quarter and full year 2025, as previously announced in its third quarter 2025 earnings report [4]. - Expand Energy will report its fourth quarter and full year 2025 operational and financial results on February 17, 2026, with a conference call scheduled for February 18, 2026 [5].