Exxon also posted stellar results for the second quarter. Its upstream segment net income came in above consensus estimates, rebounding sharply from the year-ago quarter’s pandemic-depressed lows. The upstream segment is involved in the exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties, as well as the extraction and production of crude oil and natural gas. It benefits from higher oil prices. Earnings and revenue continue to rebound as the global economy recovers from last year’s pandemic-induced shock.

The company pays investors a 6.24% dividend, which will continue to be defended. The $90 BofA Securities price target is well above the $66.28 consensus figure. Exxon Mobil stock closed at $55.77 on Friday.

Royal Dutch Shell

This is a top international play for investors looking to add energy exposure and is yet another company that posted solid results. Royal Dutch Shell PLC (NYSE: RDS-A) operates as an independent oil and gas company worldwide through its Upstream and Downstream segments. The company explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids.

Shell also converts natural gas to liquids to provide fuels and other products; markets and trades crude oil and natural gas; transports oil; liquefies and transports gas; extracts bitumen from mined oil sands and converts it to synthetic crude oil; and generates electricity from wind energy.

In addition, the company engages in the conversion of crude oil into a range of refined products, including gasoline, diesel, heating oil, aviation fuel, marine fuel, liquefied natural gas for transport, lubricants, bitumen and sulphur; production and sale of petrochemicals for industrial customers; refining; trading and supply; pipelines and marketing; and alternative energy businesses.

Shell posted a net profit of $5.5 billion for the second quarter of the year on the back of stronger oil prices and said it will buy back $2 billion worth of shares. The company also booked free cash flow of $9.7 billion for the period, up from $200 million a year earlier, and reduced its net debt to $65.7 billion from $77.8 billion for the second quarter of 2020.

Investors receive a 3.15% dividend. BofA Securities has set a price objective of $57. The consensus target price for Royal Dutch Shell stock is $55.95. Shares ended last week at $40.30 apiece.

Oil prices plunged lower in August, and these four stocks are offering the best entry points since March. With prices expected to jump, you can bet investors will be returning to the sector leaders fast. With that noted, as they come with dependable and big dividends, and long histories of market dominance, these stocks make good sense for growth and income investors looking to add energy.

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