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6 Oil Stocks to Buy Closely Tied to Crude Prices

By U.S. News & World Report

Supply disruptions in the Middle East following the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran have sent oil and gas prices soaring so far in 2026. Investors anticipate the Donald Trump administration will continue to support the energy sector with favorable policies, and stocks that are highly correlated to oil prices could generate big profits in 2026 and beyond.

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That said, high correlation to crude prices can be a double-edged sword, as many energy investors experienced when oil prices collapsed in 2020. Here are six Bank of America “buy”-rated stocks with historically high correlations to WTI crude oil prices:

Stock Implied change*
Targa Resources Corp. (ticker: TRGP) 5%
SLB Ltd. (SLB) 23%
Halliburton Co. (HAL) 10%
Baker Hughes Co. (BKR) 20%
Chevron Corp. (CVX) 5%
Devon Energy Corp. (DVN) -1%

*From March 13 close, according to Bank of America price target.

Targa Resources Corp. (TRGP)

Targa Resources is a U.S. midstream logistics company that specializes in onshore natural gas and natural gas liquids, or NGLs. Targa is anticipating its Speedway NGL pipeline stretching from the Permian Basin to Mont Belvieu, Texas, will come online in the second half of 2027. Analyst Jean Ann Salisbury says the Speedway pipeline coupled with a ramp in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) export capacity have Targa positioned for a spending reduction and a major free cash flow inflation by the end of 2027. Bank of America has a “buy” rating and $253 price target for TRGP stock, which closed at $240.05 on March 13.

SLB Ltd. (SLB)

SLB is one of the world’s leading oilfield services companies. Analyst Saurabh Pant says SLB is the industry leader in international and offshore oil services and is a top stock pick for 2026. Pant says the U.S. shale market is recovering, but SLB’s international business will likely be its key growth driver over the medium term. He says other bullish catalysts include unique upside opportunities from the company’s digital and data center solutions business and its attractive valuation for both new and returning energy investors. Bank of America has a “buy” rating and $55 price target for SLB stock, which closed at $44.72 on March 13.

Halliburton Co. (HAL)

Halliburton is a leading U.S. oilfield services company. Pant says investors don’t fully appreciate Halliburton’s international business, and he anticipates global upstream spending will accelerate in 2027 and 2028. He says Halliburton is taking a disciplined approach to its North American business, focusing on steady growth and the most profitable opportunities until the next boom cycle. Halliburton also has a strategic collaboration with natural gas power generation company VoltaGrid to supply electricity to data centers, which Pant says could provide additional growth and optionality. Bank of America has a “buy” rating and $37 price target for HAL stock, which closed at $33.69 on March 13.

[READ: These 6 Companies Are Being Boycotted Over Trump Policies]

Baker Hughes Co. (BKR)

Baker Hughes is a U.S. oilfield services company that provides equipment and technology for the energy sector. The company is known as the global leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) liquefaction. Baker Hughes’ stock is up 19.6% year to date through March 13, making it a standout performer on this list. Pant says Baker Hughes is well positioned to capitalize on its focus on LNG, new energy and gas infrastructure, and power. He says the addition of aftermarket services for its base of installed equipment has created a sizable recurring earnings stream. Bank of America has a “buy” rating and $65 price target for BKR stock, which closed at $54.26 on March 13.

Chevron Corp. (CVX)

Chevron is a global oil major that operates exploration and production, petrochemical, and refining and marketing businesses. Chevron shares have a 3.6% dividend yield, the highest on this list. In 2025, Chevron completed its acquisition of Hess following nearly two years of regulatory uncertainty. Salisbury says Chevron is poised to benefit from the U.S. military operations in Venezuela thanks to existing local personnel and relationships. Chevron recently said it plans to grow its Venezuela assets by an additional 50% in the next two years. Bank of America has a “buy” rating and $206 price target for CVX stock, which closed at $196.82 on March 13.

Devon Energy Corp. (DVN)

Devon Energy is one of the largest U.S. independent oil and gas exploration and production companies, and its shares are already up 26.9% in 2026 through March 13. Analyst Kalei Akamine says Devon’s plan to merge with Coterra Energy Inc. (CTRA) would make the combined company the largest oil and gas exploration and production company focused on the contiguous U.S. If the deal is completed, Akamine says scale advantages could help the stock re-rate higher. Bank of America has a “buy” rating and $46 price target for DVN stock, which closed at $46.25 on March 13.

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6 Oil Stocks to Buy Closely Tied to Crude Prices originally appeared on usnews.com

Update 03/16/26: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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