Energy Sector Outperforms S&P 500 in Q3 2026

The energy sector outperformed the S&P 500 during the third quarter of 2026. This growth was primarily driven by rising oil prices and tight global supplies caused by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Refining margin expansion provided significant gains for several major players, including Marathon Petroleum, Valero Energy, and Phillips 66. These companies capitalized on the supply constraints to increase profitability.

However, performance varied across the sector. Texas Pacific Land and EQT Corporation recorded the largest losses, struggling with weak commodity prices and missed revenue targets.