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2 Energy Stocks to Buy in April

newsfeedback@fool.com (Matt DiLallo)
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⚡ Quantum Brief
The Iran conflict has driven oil prices up 75% in Q1 2026, boosting energy stocks by 35% while the S&P 500 fell 5%. Uncertainty persists as prices hinge on war developments. Energy Transfer (ET) and Oneok (OKE) stand out due to fee-based cash flows (90%+ of earnings), shielding them from oil price volatility amid geopolitical risks. Energy Transfer offers a 7% yield and 3-5% annual distribution growth, backed by secured expansion projects through 2030, despite limited price exposure. Oneok, with a 4.7% yield, expects 3-4% annual dividend growth from acquisitions and projects completing by mid-2028, ensuring stable cash flow. Both stocks provide low-risk energy exposure, combining high yields with growth potential, making them resilient picks amid volatile oil markets.
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By Matt DiLallo – Apr 2, 2026 at 8:04AM ESTKey PointsThe war with Iran is creating significant uncertainty in the energy market. Energy Transfer and Oneok primarily produce fee-based cash flows. Their secured expansion projects should fuel growth for the next several years, even if energy prices fall. Energy stocks have been the hot trade this year. Oil prices soared more than 75% in the first quarter due to the war with Iran, fueling a more than 35% surge in the average energy stock in the S&P 500. That significantly outperformed the nearly 5% decline in that broad market index. Oil prices could continue rallying in April if the war rages on or decline sharply if there's peace in the Middle East. Given that uncertainty, I'd focus on investing in energy stocks that are relatively immune to changes in crude prices until there's more clarity on the war. Two that stand out this April are Energy Transfer (ET 1.45%) and Oneok (OKE 3.29%). Image source: Getty Images. Built-in growth Units of Energy Transfer are up by more than 15% so far this year. However, the master limited partnership (MLP), which sends a Schedule K-1 Federal tax form each year, has only gained about 3% over the past 12 months. As a result, they still trade at an attractive level, including offering a nearly 7% distribution yield. Energy Transfer has limited direct exposure to oil prices. The MLP gets about 90% of its earnings from stable fee-based sources. As a result, its earnings won't decline much if crude prices cool off, should the U.S. and Iran broker a peace deal. ExpandNYSE: ETEnergy TransferToday's Change(-1.45%) $-0.28Current Price$19.02Key Data PointsMarket Cap$65BDay's Range$18.72 - $19.1752wk Range$14.60 - $19.86Volume85KAvg Vol16MGross Margin12.27%Dividend Yield6.97% Meanwhile, most of the company's growth is already locked in. Energy Transfer has secured a long list of growth capital projects that it expects to complete through the end of the decade. These expansions support its expectation of increasing its high-yielding distribution by 3% to 5% each year. A long record of delivering stable growth Oneok has gained more than 20% this year. However, the pipeline stock is still down nearly 10% over the last 12 months. As a result, it trades at an enticing dividend yield (4.7%). The pipeline giant also has minimal direct exposure to commodity prices (85% to 90% of its earnings in 2026 will come from fee-based sources). As a result, it produces relatively stable cash flow with some upside to higher energy prices. ExpandNYSE: OKEOneokToday's Change(-3.29%) $-2.97Current Price$87.42Key Data PointsMarket Cap$55BDay's Range$86.07 - $90.0052wk Range$64.02 - $97.41Volume47Avg Vol5.1MGross Margin18.31%Dividend Yield4.76% Meanwhile, Oneok also has significant growth already lined up. It completed several acquisitions in recent years that will continue to benefit its bottom line as it captures additional merger synergies. Oneok also has several expansion projects under construction that it expects to complete by the middle of 2028. These growth catalysts support Oneok's plans to increase its dividend by 3% to 4% annually. The pipeline giant has delivered over a quarter-century of dividend growth and stability. Low-risk energy stocks Energy Transfer and Oneok have risen with the energy sector this year. However, they look like compelling investment opportunities this April. They generate stable cash flows, which support their high-yielding dividends and growth strategies. That positions them to thrive even if oil prices dive following an end to the war with Iran. Read NextMar 3, 2026 •By Matt DiLallo2 High-Yield Dividend Stocks I Wouldn't Hesitate To Buy For Passive Income in MarchApr 2, 2026 •By Matt DiLalloAffects From the Iran Conflict May Take Time to Fully Hit Oil Stocks. Here Are 2 Predictions for Chevron in 2026.Apr 2, 2026 •By Keith SpeightsWith Oil Prices Near Multiyear Highs, Is Chevron a Buy Right Now?Apr 1, 2026 •By James HiresThe Under-the-Radar Nuclear Energy Stock That Could Supercharge Your Passive IncomeApr 1, 2026 •By Reuben Gregg BrewerThese 3 Energy Stocks May Outperform the S&P 500 in 2026Apr 2, 2026 •By Will HealyIs Lumen Technologies Stock a Buy?About the AuthorMatt DiLallo has been a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst specializing in covering dividend-paying companies, particularly in the energy and REIT sectors, since 2012. He also covers pre-IPO companies, ETFs, and other investing topics. He holds an MBA from Liberty University.TMFmd19X@MatthewDiLalloStocks MentionedOneokNYSE: OKE$87.36(-3.35%)-$3.03Energy TransferNYSE: ET$19.02(-1.45%)-$0.28*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.

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