12 natural gas stocks to watch in 2026
Natural gas remains an important part of the global energy market, used for electricity generation, heating and industrial activity. While the energy transition continues to accelerate, natural gas is still viewed by some market participants as a transitional fuel between coal and renewable energy.
This guide highlights 12 natural gas stocks to watch, alongside key industry trends, investment considerations and risks.
Ways to invest in natural gas stocks and the energy market
There are several ways traders and investors can gain exposure to natural gas and its liquid, easy-to-store and transportable form liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Individual natural gas stocks
Buying shares in individual companies, such as the 12 names we look at below, provides direct exposure to different parts of the natural gas industry.
The sector is commonly divided into:
Upstream companies focused on exploration and production
Midstream companies involved in storage and transportation
Downstream companies focused on distribution and energy supply
Exchange traded funds (ETFs)
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) can provide diversified exposure across the energy sector through a single position.
Examples include:
United States Natural Gas Fund LP (UNG)
ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Natural Gas (BOIL)
SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP)
Why invest in natural gas stocks in 2026? Key drivers
Several factors continue to influence interest in natural gas companies.
Energy demand and supply dynamics
Global energy demand, geopolitical developments and supply constraints can significantly affect natural gas prices.
Energy transition themes
Some companies are investing in lower-carbon technologies, hydrogen projects and cleaner energy infrastructure.
Inflation and commodity exposure
Commodity-related sectors are sometimes viewed as potential inflation hedges, although commodity prices can also be highly volatile.
Natural gas stocks remain sensitive to:
Commodity price fluctuations
Regulatory changes
Environmental policy
Economic growth conditions
Top 12 natural gas stocks to watch right now
The companies below operate across different parts of the natural gas and energy value chain.
Chevron (CVX): performance, dividend and outlook
Chevron is a major global energy company with exposure to oil, natural gas and lower-carbon projects.
Key themes: LNG, energy transition investment
Potential strengths: scale, cash generation, dividend history
Risks: commodity price volatility, regulatory pressure
Golar LNG (GLNG): LNG infrastructure and shipping exposure
Golar LNG focuses on liquefied natural gas infrastructure and transportation.
Key themes: floating LNG infrastructure
Potential strengths: global LNG demand
Risks: shipping market volatility, capital intensity
New Fortress Energy (NFE): LNG growth and infrastructure expansion
New Fortress Energy develops LNG infrastructure and distribution projects.
Key themes: LNG expansion, infrastructure growth
Potential strengths: international expansion
Risks: project execution, financing conditions
EQT Corporation (EQT): US natural gas production leader
EQT is one of the largest natural gas producers in the US.
Key themes: Appalachian Basin production
Potential strengths: scale and production capacity
Risks: commodity price swings, environmental regulation
Equitrans Midstream (ETRN): pipeline infrastructure and income potential
Equitrans Midstream operates energy transportation and pipeline assets.
Key themes: midstream infrastructure
Potential strengths: long-term agreements and cash flow
Risks: regulatory approvals, infrastructure costs
Kinder Morgan (KMI): large-scale energy transportation network
Kinder Morgan is a major North American energy infrastructure company.
Key themes: pipeline networks and energy transport
Potential strengths: scale and diversified operations
Risks: regulatory and environmental scrutiny
Shell (SHEL): global energy diversification and gas exposure
Shell operates across oil, gas and renewable energy markets.
Key themes: LNG supply, transition investment
Potential strengths: diversified energy business
Risks: energy market volatility, transition costs
Shell Midstream Partners (SHLX): income potential and risks
Shell Midstream Partners focuses on pipeline and logistics assets.
Key themes: energy infrastructure income exposure
Potential strengths: cash flow generation
Risks: energy demand changes, sector volatility
Saudi Aramco (2222): market position and growth outlook
Saudi Aramco is one of the world’s largest energy producers.
Key themes: integrated energy operations
Potential strengths: scale and global market influence
Risks: geopolitical exposure, oil and gas price dependence
UK Oil & Gas (UKOG): high-risk exploration exposure
UK Oil & Gas focuses on exploration and production assets in the UK.
Key themes: domestic energy exploration
Potential strengths: exploration upside potential
Risks: high volatility and operational uncertainty
ITM Power (ITM): hydrogen and clean energy exposure
ITM Power develops hydrogen technologies linked to energy transition projects.
Key themes: hydrogen infrastructure
Potential strengths: clean energy exposure
Risks: profitability and technology adoption uncertainty
Ceres Power (CRW): clean energy technology and fuel cell development
Ceres Power develops fuel cell technologies linked to cleaner energy generation.
Key themes: fuel cell innovation
Potential strengths: technology partnerships and licensing
Risks: commercialisation risk and market competition
Risks and considerations for natural gas investing
Natural gas stocks can experience significant volatility.
Key risks include:
Fluctuating commodity prices
Geopolitical tensions
Regulatory and environmental changes
Transition away from fossil fuels
Even diversified energy companies remain exposed to broader market conditions.
Key takeaways
Natural gas remains a significant part of the global energy market
Companies across production, transportation and infrastructure offer different types of exposure
The sector is influenced by commodity prices, regulation and energy transition trends
Natural gas stocks can be volatile and carry significant risks
Natural gas stocks are shares in companies involved in the exploration, production, transportation or distribution of natural gas.
Investors often monitor natural gas stocks because they can provide exposure to energy prices, global demand trends and infrastructure development.
Yes. Natural gas stocks can be highly sensitive to commodity prices, geopolitical events and environmental regulation.
Upstream companies focus on exploration and production, while midstream companies are involved in transportation and storage infrastructure.
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