Top Energy Stocks of 2012 #8: Gulfport

By Joel South and Taylor Muckerman – Dec 18, 2012 at 10:52AM

OTC: GPOR

Gulfport Energy

Gulfport's timely move to liquids has left it up 25% ytd, making it #8 on our list of the best energy stocks of 2012.

As 2012 comes to a close, energy analysts Joel South and Taylor Muckerman are detailing the top energy stocks of 2012. Coming in the No. 8 spot for 2012 is Gulfport Energy (GPOR).

Gulfport is a pure play liquids player and turned in a 25% gain year to date by selecting projects with the highest rate of return potential and focusing its capital expenditures around these projects. Another strategic move Gulfport employed was its hedging strategy. While WTI oil prices remained below the century mark for a good part of 2012, Gulfport locked in hedges, guaranteeing crude sales prices around $107 per barrel. Be sure to follow this oil junior going into 2013 as it continues to focus its capital expenditures in the trendy Utica shale.

Joel South and Taylor Muckerman have no positions in the stocks mentioned above. The Motley Fool has the following options: long JAN 2013 $16.00 calls on Chesapeake Energy, long JAN 2014 $20.00 calls on Chesapeake Energy, long JAN 2014 $30.00 calls on Chesapeake Energy, and short JAN 2014 $15.00 puts on Chesapeake Energy. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.