The Smartest Oil Stocks to Buy With $200 Right Now

As the oil market braces for potential geopolitical risks and uncertainty, investors may be wondering which oil stocks are best positioned to weather the storm and deliver long-term growth. With $200 to invest, consider the following top oil stocks that offer a combination of strong fundamentals, competitive advantages, and attractive valuations.

1. Chevron (CVX)
* Integrated business model spanning upstream, midstream, and downstream operations
* Rock-solid balance sheet with minimal leverage (debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17)
* 37 consecutive years of annual dividend increases and a 4% dividend yield
* Expected production growth of 3% and annual free cash flow growth of more than 10% through 2027
* Attractive valuation with a forward P/E ratio of around 10
2. ConocoPhillips (COP)
* Treasure trove of low-cost oil and gas resources with an average cost of supply of $32 per barrel
* Acquisition of Marathon Oil added over 2 billion barrels of resources with an average cost of supply below $30 per barrel
* Immediate accretion to cash from operations and free cash flow expected from the Marathon deal
* 34% dividend increase in 2024 and plans to deliver dividend growth in the top 25% of S&P 500 companies
* Ramping up annual share repurchase rate from $5 billion to $7 billion in 2025
* Forward P/E ratio of around 12
3. Occidental Petroleum (OXY)
* Strong balance sheet with a manageable debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55
* Positive cash flow from operations and free cash flow in recent quarters
* History of returning cash to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases
* Attractive dividend yield of around 5%
* Forward P/E ratio of around 10



Investing in these top oil stocks with $200 can provide exposure to the energy sector while mitigating risks associated with volatile oil prices. By focusing on companies with strong fundamentals, competitive advantages, and attractive valuations, investors can position themselves for long-term growth and potential outperformance in the oil patch. As always, it is essential to conduct thorough research and consider your risk tolerance before making any investment decisions.