Group 1: Market Overview - Energy stocks are experiencing a significant rebound in 2026 after underperforming the S&P 500 in 2025, driven by rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions [1] - Investors are shifting their focus from growth stocks to value and dividend-oriented sectors [1] Group 2: Investment Options - Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) such as the Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE), Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE), and SPDR S&P 500 Oil & Gas Exploration and Production ETF (XOP) are recommended for gaining exposure to the energy sector with an investment of $2,000 [2] - The Vanguard Energy ETF and Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF have similar structures, with the Vanguard ETF having a slightly higher expense ratio of 0.09% compared to 0.08% for the State Street fund [3][4] - Both ETFs are heavily weighted towards three major stocks: ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips, which constitute 44.1% and 48.6% of their respective portfolios [5] Group 3: Fund Characteristics - The Vanguard ETF offers a dividend yield of 3.1%, while the Energy Select Sector ETF provides a slightly higher yield of 3.3% [5] - The SPDR S&P 500 Oil & Gas Exploration and Production ETF focuses on upstream oil and gas companies but also includes 20.2% in refining and marketing and 8.6% in integrated oil and gas companies [7][8] - This ETF may present more volatility but also greater upside potential as oil prices rise [8]

Energy Sector Performance - Energy stocks are the worst performing sector, showing a 2.0% loss in afternoon trading [1] - Diamondback Energy, Inc. (FANG) and ONEOK Inc (OKE) are lagging with losses of 6.0% and 5.4% respectively [1] - The Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) is down 1.7% on the day but up 4.77% year-to-date [1] - Year-to-date, Diamondback Energy, Inc. is up 14.21% and ONEOK Inc is up 31.80% [1] - FANG and OKE together make up approximately 6.4% of the underlying holdings of XLE [1] Utilities Sector Performance - The Utilities sector is the next worst performing sector, showing minimal gains [2] - Vistra Corp (VST) and Constellation Energy Corp (CEG) have losses of 2.5% and 1.3% respectively [2] - The Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) is down 0.3% in midday trading but up 28.76% year-to-date [2] - Year-to-date, Vistra Corp is up 203.10% and Constellation Energy Corp is up 122.88% [2] - VST and CEG together account for approximately 10.1% of the underlying holdings of XLU [2] Overall Market Snapshot - Seven sectors are up on the day while the Energy sector is down [3] - A relative stock price performance chart compares the performance of various sectors [3] Sector Performance Summary - Materials sector is up 2.2%, Industrial up 1.4%, Services up 1.3%, Consumer Products up 1.2%, Technology & Communications up 1.0%, Healthcare up 0.5%, Financial up 0.2%, Utilities at -0.0%, and Energy at -2.0% [4]