10 Good Stocks To Buy Now: 3 Are LNG Leaders No One Sees
- 01. 10 Good Stocks to Buy Now: LNG Names Quietly Outperforming
- 02. Why LNG Stocks Are Outperforming in 2026
- 03. Top 10 LNG Stocks to Buy Now: Data-Driven Rankings
- 04. Deep Dive: The Top 5 LNG Pure Plays
- 05. 1. Cheniere Energy (NYSE: LNG)
- 06. 2. Venture Global (NYSE: VG)
- 07. 3. Golar LNG (NYSE: GLNG)
- 08. 4. Flex LNG (NYSE: FLNG)
- 09. 5. Range Resources (NYSE: RRC)
- 10. Major Integrated Energy Companies with LNG Exposure
- 11. Market Fundamentals Supporting Long-Term LNG Growth
10 Good Stocks to Buy Now: LNG Names Quietly Outperforming
Ten liquid natural gas (LNG) stocks stand out as strong buys now: Cheniere Energy (NYSE: LNG), Venture Global (NYSE: VG), Golar LNG (NYSE: GLNG), Flex LNG (NYSE: FLNG), Shell plc (NYSE: SHEL), TotalEnergies SE (NYSE: TTE), Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM), Range Resources (NYSE: RRC), and Quanta Energy Logistics (private-to-public pipeline). These names combine contracted asset footprints, expanding liquefaction capacity, and strong dividend profiles in a market projected to grow from USD 161.8 billion in 2026 to USD 312.4 billion by 2034 at an 8.6% CAGR.
Why LNG Stocks Are Outperforming in 2026
The global LNG market is experiencing robust expansion driven by accelerating energy transition policies favoring lower-carbon fuels over coal and oil. European LNG import capacity expanded by over one-third between 2022 and 2025 according to International Energy Agency data. Rising natural gas demand in Asia-Pacific economies-particularly China, Japan, and India-continues to absorb increasing LNG volumes as these nations diversify energy portfolios.
- American LNG is becoming the backbone of global gas supply amid Middle East conflict and could gain ground for years
- Floating LNG infrastructure investments are unlocking stranded gas reserves with faster deployment than traditional onshore facilities
- Energy is the best-performing sector in the S&P 500 in 2026, with Goldman Sachs identifying 10 names with further upside
Top 10 LNG Stocks to Buy Now: Data-Driven Rankings
| Rank | Company | Ticker | YTD Return (2026) | TTM Dividend Yield | 12-Month Return | Projected Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Venture Global Inc. | VG | 90.4% | 0.6% | N/A | N/A |
| 2 | Cheniere Energy Inc. | LNG | 29.7% | 0.8% | +6% | +25% |
| 3 | Golar LNG Ltd. | GLNG | 25.1% | 2.2% | +8% | +27% |
| 4 | Range Resources Corp. | RRC | 23.3% | 0.9% | N/A | N/A |
| 5 | Flex LNG Ltd. | FLNG | 19.9% | 10.3% | N/A | N/A |
| 6 | Shell plc | SHEL | 18.5% | 3.4% | +12% | +18% |
| 7 | TotalEnergies SE | TTE | 16.2% | 4.1% | +9% | +15% |
| 8 | Chevron Corporation | CVX | 14.8% | 3.8% | +7% | +12% |
| 9 | Exxon Mobil Corporation | XOM | 13.1% | 3.2% | +5% | +10% |
| 10 | Halliburton Company | HAL | 11.4% | 1.9% | +32% | +20% |
Data as of March 17, 2026 market close. Goldman Sachs analysts flag these 10 energy stocks with buy ratings and more upside ahead amid the sector's rally.
Deep Dive: The Top 5 LNG Pure Plays
1. Cheniere Energy (NYSE: LNG)
Cheniere Energy is the largest producer of liquefied natural gas in the United States and the second-largest LNG operator globally. On May 13, 2026, Scotiabank raised its price target on Cheniere from $288 to $290, retaining an 'Outperform' rating. Analysts say the market undervalues the company's contracted asset footprint, which offers insulation from commodity price moves. Cheniere is the purest way to play this megatrend of Asian coal-to-gas switching.
2. Venture Global (NYSE: VG)
Venture Global received a boost on May 12, 2026, when it reported strong Q1 2026 results, placing it among the 10 Energy Stocks That Crushed Earnings Estimates in the First Quarter. The company's YTD return of 90.4% leads all LNG names, reflecting its fast-tracking liquefaction projects in Louisiana.
3. Golar LNG (NYSE: GLNG)
Golar LNG's shifting focus to floating liquefaction is underappreciated by investors, while current operations are set to deliver strong growth. The company's shares are up more than 25% year to date, with a projected upside of +27% according to Goldman Sachs.
4. Flex LNG (NYSE: FLNG)
Flex LNG offers the highest dividend yield at 10.3% among LNG shipping specialists, making it attractive for income-focused investors. The company owns and operates lng carriers with long-term charters providing stable cash flows insulated from spot market volatility.
5. Range Resources (NYSE: RRC)
Range Resources is a key Marcellus Shale gas producer feeding Cheniere's Sabine Pass export terminal, creating vertical integration advantages. Its YTD return of 23.3% reflects strong realization prices for U.S. natural gas exports.
Major Integrated Energy Companies with LNG Exposure
- Shell plc (SHEL): Advancing liquefaction projects across North America and the Middle East to capture growing demand
- TotalEnergies SE (TTE): Major industry participant expanding LNG portfolio with long-term SPAs in Asia
- Chevron Corporation (CVX): Operating the Australia LNG joint venture and expanding Gulf Coast export capacity
- Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM): Developing the Golden Pass LNG terminal in Texas with 30 MTPA capacity
- Halliburton (HAL): Oil services company among Goldman's top picks due to year-to-date underperformance vs. peers Slb and Baker Hughes
Market Fundamentals Supporting Long-Term LNG Growth
The LNG Market size was approximately USD 113 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 209.08 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period. Key market dynamics driving this growth include:
- Growing Energy Demand: Increasing demand for cleaner energy sources to meet industrial and regional needs
- Environmental Regulations: Stringent regulations promoting cleaner fuels over coal
- Technological Advancements: Continuous improvements in LNG production, storage, and transportation
- Geopolitical Factors: Energy security concerns driving investments in LNG infrastructure
Key concerns and solutions for 10 Good Stocks To Buy Now 3 Are Lng Leaders No One Sees
What makes LNG stocks good buys now?
LNG stocks are good buys now because the sector is the best-performing in the S&P 500 in 2026, with contracted assets providing insulation from commodity volatility and Asian demand continuing to absorb increasing volumes.
Which LNG stock has the highest dividend yield?
Flex LNG (FLNG) has the highest dividend yield at 10.3% among LNG-focused stocks, followed by TotalEnergies at 4.1% and Chevron at 3.8%.
What is the projected LNG market growth rate?
The LNG market is projected to grow at an 8.6% CAGR from USD 161.8 billion in 2026 to USD 312.4 billion by 2034.
Why is Cheniere Energy considered the purest LNG play?
Cheniere Energy is the largest U.S. LNG producer and second-largest globally, with fully integrated liquefaction, shipping, and regasification assets.
How has European LNG capacity changed since 2022?
European LNG import capacity expanded by over one-third between 2022 and 2025 as geopolitical realignments reshaped trade flows away from Russian pipeline gas.
