Top Momentum Stocks September 2025 Driven By LNG

Last Updated: Written by Marcus Leclerc
top momentum stocks september 2025 driven by lng
top momentum stocks september 2025 driven by lng
Table of Contents

Top Momentum Stocks September 2025: LNG Sector Leaders Outperform While Cheniere (LNG) Diverges

The top momentum stocks in September 2025 within the LNG ecosystem are FLEX LNG (FLNG), Golar LNG (GLNG), and Sempra Energy (SRE), with 3-month returns of 19.16%, strong analyst buy ratings, and 14.7% gains respectively. Notably, Cheniere Energy (ticker: LNG) diverges from this momentum trend, posting only +3.4% over three months as of September 9, 2025, while broader LNG shipping and infrastructure stocks accelerate. Global LNG trade grew 2.4% in 2024 to 411.24 million tonnes, creating tailwinds for well-positioned operators.

Momentum Stock Rankings: LNG Sector September 2025

RankCompanyTicker3-Month ReturnMomentum ScoreZacks Rank
1FLEX LNGFLNG19.16%AHold ($23 target)
2Golar LNGGLNG+7.4% (1-month)BBuy (2 firms)
3Sempra EnergySRE14.7%BHold (#3)
4Cheniere EnergyLNG+3.4%COutperform
5GasLog Ltd.GLOGStrong operationalBBuy

Why FLEX LNG Leads LNG Momentum in September 2025

FLEX LNG (FLNG) demonstrates the strongest share price momentum in the LNG shipping subsector, with a 30-day return of 14.59% and a 1-year total shareholder return of 55.36%. At a share price of $30.23, the company's recent momentum stands out against peers, reflecting increasing investor confidence in LNG shipping rates and charter backlog strength. Wall Street analysts currently rate FLEX LNG with a Hold rating and an average target price of $23.00, suggesting the stock trades at a premium to fair value estimates of $25.25.

The LNG shipping sector benefits from extremely tight vessel availability, with open ships commanding record spot rates approaching $400,000 per day versus normalized levels of $50-60,000 per day. This supply-demand imbalance in LNG carriers directly benefits pure-play shipping companies like FLEX LNG that operate modern, efficient fleets on long-term charters.

Golar LNG: Strong Buy Ratings Drive Momentum

Golar LNG (GLNG) received Buy ratings from Citigroup and Goldman Sachs in late September and October 2025, with price targets of $51.0 and $54.0 respectively. The company posted Q4 2025 earnings of $0.30 per share on revenue of $132.81 million, with two firms issuing buy ratings and zero sell ratings in the preceding months. Golar's FLNG assets and regulatory positioning in methane compliance align with increasing global regulatory focus on emissions from EU, Japan, and South Korea markets.

  1. Citigroup set a $51.0 price target on October 10, 2025
  2. Goldman Sachs set a $54.0 price target on September 30, 2025
  3. Median analyst price target: $52.5 based on 2 analysts
  4. Q4 2025 earnings released February 25, 2026

Sempra Energy: LNG Infrastructure Momentum Despite Hold Rating

Sempra Energy (SRE) posted a 14.7% three-month return as of November 2025, outperforming its utility sector peers despite a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). The company's momentum stems from its strategic partnership with EQT for a 20-year LNG supply agreement delivering 2 million tonnes annually from Port Arthur LNG Phase 2. Barclays raised Sempra's price target from $71 to $80 while maintaining an Equal Weight rating, citing investor optimism about capital projects.

Sempra's enterprise valuation nears $92 billion with profit margins standing strong at approximately 20%, demonstrating effective financial stewardship despite long-term debt commitments around $34.936 billion. The company maintains its quarterly dividend at $0.645 per share, distributed October 15, stabilizing investor confidence in steady income streams. In the past six months, Sempra Energy shares rose 17.8% compared with the industry's growth of 12.4%.

Why Cheniere Energy (LNG) Diverges from Momentum Trend

Cheniere Energy (ticker: LNG) represents the key divergence in September 2025's LNG momentum story, with only +3.4% over three months through September 9, 2025, compared to FLEX LNG's 19.16%. As the foremost LNG producer in the U.S. and second-largest LNG operator globally, Cheniere holds a significant market position but faces headwinds from softer spot pricing. Scotiabank raised its price target on Cheniere from $288 to $290 on May 13, 2026, maintaining an 'Outperform' rating with potential for more than 20% upside from current levels.

Cheniere's Q1 2025 earnings missed estimates with EPS of $1.57 versus forecast of $2.72, representing a -42.28% EPS surprise, though revenue beat by 15.99% at $5.44B. The stock is up 21.8% year-to-date but fallen 2.8% over the past week and 6.3% over the past month as of May 2026. This volatility reflects ongoing uncertainty in global LNG markets driven by shifting demand patterns across major import markets.

top momentum stocks september 2025 driven by lng
top momentum stocks september 2025 driven by lng

Key Metrics Comparing LNG Momentum Stocks

MetricFLEX LNGGolar LNGSempra EnergyCheniere Energy
3-Month Return19.16%+7.4% (1-mo)14.7%+3.4%
1-Year Return55.36%Not available7.17%-8.69%
Analyst ConsensusHoldBuy (2 firms)HoldOutperform
Price Target$23.00$52.5 median$80$290
Momentum ScoreABBC

Global LNG Market Context Driving Momentum

Global LNG trade grew by 2.4% in 2024 to 411.24 million tonnes, connecting 22 exporting markets with 48 importing markets. Asia Pacific remained the largest exporting region with 138.91 million tonnes in 2024, adding 4.1 million tonnes over 2023. European LNG imports declined sharply, falling 21.22 million tonnes year-on-year to 100.07 million tonnes, driven by high storage levels, sluggish demand, and steady pipeline flows.

LNG demand rebounded in Asia, with China and India posting strong year-on-year growth in spot LNG imports driven by heatwaves, infrastructure expansions, and greater reliance on gas-for-power. Global LNG liquefaction capacity grew by 6.5 million tonnes per annum in 2024 to 494.4 million tonnes per annum by year-end. Only 14.8 million tonnes per annum of new liquefaction capacity reached Final Investment Decision (FID), the lowest annual approval volume since 2020 and well below the 58.8 million tonnes per annum greenlit in 2023.

"2024 proved to be another vibrant year for the LNG sector's rapid evolution. The trajectory of LNG growth persisted, bolstered by the introduction of two new exporting markets, while global LNG prices have eased compared to prior years. Nonetheless, this market stability remains precarious, highly influenced by significant uncertainties surrounding market and project dynamics, geopolitics, trade, and regulatory policies." - Menelaos (Mel) Ydreos, Secretary General, International Gas Union

Floating LNG (FLNG) Capacity Expansion

  • Marine XII FLNG in Congo entered operation in 2024
  • Altamira Fast LNG in Mexico entered operation in 2024
  • Total operational FLNG capacity stands at 14.35 million tonnes per annum as of early 2025
  • FLNG capacity expansion benefits companies like Golar LNG and FLEX LNG with modern Fleets

FAQ: Top Momentum Stocks September 2025 LNG Sector

Key concerns and solutions for Top Momentum Stocks September 2025 Driven By Lng

What are the top momentum stocks in LNG for September 2025?

The top momentum stocks in the LNG sector for September 2025 are FLEX LNG (FLNG) with 19.16% three-month returns, Golar LNG (GLNG) with strong Buy ratings from Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, and Sempra Energy (SRE) with 14.7% three-month gains. Cheniere Energy (LNG) diverges from this trend with only +3.4% over three months.

Why does Cheniere Energy (LNG) diverge from momentum trends?

Cheniere Energy diverges due to softer spot LNG pricing, Q1 2025 earnings misses (-42.28% EPS surprise), and ongoing volatility in global LNG markets. The stock posted only +3.4% over three months through September 9, 2025, compared to FLEX LNG's 19.16%.

What drives FLEX LNG's strong momentum in September 2025?

FLEX LNG's momentum stems from record LNG shipping spot rates approaching $400,000 per day, tight vessel availability, a 55.36% one-year total shareholder return, and strong charter backlog. The company trades at $30.23 with a 14.59% 30-day return.

Which LNG stocks have Buy ratings in September 2025?

Golar LNG (GLNG) has Buy ratings from Citigroup (set October 10, 2025) and Goldman Sachs (set September 30, 2025) with price targets of $51.0 and $54.0 respectively. Cheniere Energy maintains an Outperform rating from Scotiabank with a $290 price target.

How has global LNG trade performed in 2024-2025?

Global LNG trade grew 2.4% in 2024 to 411.24 million tonnes, connecting 22 exporting markets with 48 importing markets. Asia Pacific exported 138.91 million tonnes, while European imports declined 21.22 million tonnes year-on-year to 100.07 million tonnes.

What is the outlook for LNG liquefaction capacity in 2025?

Global LNG liquefaction capacity reached 494.4 million tonnes per annum by end-2024, but only 14.8 million tonnes per annum reached FID in 2024-the lowest since 2020 and well below 58.8 million tonnes per annum greenlit in 2023. This constrained supply pipeline supports long-term pricing for operators with existing capacity.

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Gas Trade Correspondent

Marcus Leclerc

Marcus Leclerc is a Paris-based journalist specializing in LNG trading, contracts, and global gas flows. He holds a Master's degree in International Energy from Sciences Po and began his career at TotalEnergies in LNG origination support before transitioning into reporting.

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