What are the best LNG stocks to buy?

Although state-owned companies are a force in the LNG market, they’re not alone. Several publicly traded energy companies rank among the largest producers in the LNG market. Here are seven top options for investors to consider: Cheniere Energy: It's the leader in producing and exporting LNG in the U.S. ConocoPhillips: The U.S. oil and gas giant has a large and growing global LNG portfolio. ExxonMobil: The U.S.-based supermajor has interests in LNG projects worldwide. Shell: It's a world leader in LNG. Its integrated business includes gas supply, LNG export and import infrastructure, and a leading marketing operation. TotalEnergies: It's a leading player in the global LNG market. Chevron: The U.S.-based energy supermajor has interests in several global LNG projects. Energy Transfer: The company's pipeline operations are playing a major role in supplying natural gas to U.S. LNG facilities.

Who is the largest producer of LNG?

The U.S. had the largest operating LNG capacity in 2025 at 102.3 million metric tons, according to Statista. That was ahead of Australia (81.8) and Qatar (77.1).

Who is the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas?

The U.S. was the largest LNG exporter in 2025. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, it exported 15 billion cubic feet per day, putting it ahead of Australia and Qatar.

What is liquefied natural gas?

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas turned into a liquid through cooling. Liquefaction facilities cool the gas to roughly -260° Fahrenheit. Once the gas becomes a liquid, it can be stored or transported by specialized gas-carrying ships to global export markets, where it can be re-gasified and moved through the local pipeline system.

How can investors reduce risk when investing in LNG stocks?

The best way to reduce risk when investing in LNG stocks is to buy shares of an integrated energy company. Companies like Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and TotalEnergies have diversified businesses across upstream production and downstream refining and marketing assets. This integration and diversification help reduce their risk profiles compared to companies focused solely on LNG.

How often does LNG pay dividends?

Most LNG producers that pay dividends do so on a quarterly basis.

How volatile are LNG stocks?

LNG stocks tend to be more volatile than the S&P 500 due to the high volatility of oil and LNG prices.

7 Best Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

By Matthew DiLallo – Updated Jun 9, 2026 at 12:05 PM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

Shell estimates that global LNG demand could rise as much as 85% by 2050, fueled by Asia's economic growth and energy security concerns.
The top LNG stocks include energy giants like Shell and pipeline companies like Energy Transfer.
Investing in LNG stocks could yield dividends and growth as they capitalize on cleaner fuel needs.

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Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Market capMarket cap calculated using publicly traded shares outstanding only. Does not include unlisted, private, or dual-class non-traded shares. Implied market cap may vary.	Dividend yield	Industry
ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP)	$132.1 billion	3.04%	Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG)	$53.4 billion	0.85%	Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM)	$587.2 billion	2.88%	Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
Shell Plc (NYSE:SHEL)	$228.6 billion	3.61%	Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE)	N/A	N/A	Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
Chevron (NYSE:CVX)	$346.6 billion	4.01%	Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET)	$68.2 billion	6.74%	Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels

Data as of Jul 8, 2026. Showing 7 of 7 total entries.

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NYSE: LNG

Cheniere Energy

Today's Change

(2.14%) $5.46

Current Price

$260.46

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$53B

Day's Range

$254.20 - $261.12

52wk Range

$186.20 - $300.89

Volume

150.2K

Avg Vol

2.4M

Gross Margin

29.44%

Dividend Yield

0.85%

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In 2016, Cheniere Energy (LNG +2.14%) became the first company to export LNG from the lower 48 states. It has invested more than $50 billion to become the leading U.S. LNG producer and the second-largest global producer. The company operates two LNG facilities along the U.S. Gulf Coast that export gas to foreign buyers:

Sabine Pass: Located in Louisiana, the LNG facility has six fully operational liquefaction units, or "trains." Sabine Pass has the capacity to produce about 30 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG. The company has initiated the permitting process to potentially expand that facility by an additional 20 MTPA. It hopes to approve its next expansion phase by 2026.
Corpus Christi: This Texas facility currently has roughly 23 MTPA of export capacity. Cheniere is actively expanding this facility. It has 8 MTPA under construction or in commissioning and up to 24 MTPA in development.

Cheniere Energy sells roughly 90% of its LNG to foreign buyers, such as utilities, under long-term, fixed-fee contracts. The company's contracted volumes provide it with a predictable cash flow. It uses the money to repay debt, invest in expanding operations (e.g., Corpus Christi Midscale Trains 8 & 9), and reward shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

Cheniere plans to deploy more than $25 billion of its available cash towards accretive growth, share repurchases, balance sheet management, and dividends through 2030. That supports its aim to generate more than $30 per share of distributable cash flow by the end of 2030.

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2. ConocoPhillips

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NYSE: COP

ConocoPhillips

Today's Change

(1.97%) $2.14

Current Price

$110.58

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$132B

Day's Range

$109.11 - $111.34

52wk Range

$85.57 - $135.87

Volume

301.3K

Avg Vol

Gross Margin

23.54%

Dividend Yield

3.04%

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ConocoPhillips (COP +1.97%) is becoming a major player in the global LNG market. The U.S. oil and gas giant owns interests in LNG production facilities in Australia, Qatar, and Equatorial Guinea.

The company is actively expanding its global LNG portfolio. It has a 30% interest in Port Arthur LNG, which should start up in 2027. It's also an investor in two new LNG expansions in Qatar (North Field South and North Field East), which have experienced minor delays due to the war. Additionally, the company has signed LNG purchase agreements for projects on the U.S. Gulf Coast and the west coast of Mexico. It has also signed regasification agreements in Europe and sales contracts in Asia, and signed a 30-year supply deal in 2026 to support phase one of the Alaska LNG project.

ConocoPhillips' investments in LNG will help fuel considerable free cash flow growth, adding $1 billion to its annual total in both 2027 and 2028 as its trio of projects start production.

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3. ExxonMobil

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NYSE: XOM

ExxonMobil

Today's Change

(-0.61%) $-0.86

Current Price

$140.83

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$587B

Day's Range

$139.81 - $143.99

52wk Range

$105.53 - $176.41

Volume

14.2M

Avg Vol

17.8M

Gross Margin

20.92%

Dividend Yield

2.88%

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NYSE: SHEL

Shell Plc

Today's Change

(0.31%) $0.26

Current Price

$82.25

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$229B

Day's Range

$81.55 - $82.84

52wk Range

$68.63 - $94.90

Volume

7.2M

Avg Vol

7.4M

Gross Margin

16.95%

Dividend Yield

3.61%

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Shell (SHEL +0.35%) was an early pioneer in the LNG market and has grown into a dominant force over the years. The company has LNG supply projects in 10 nations, representing about 44 million tons of capacity and meeting aroud 16% of global demand. It also has interests in a couple of regasification plants that turn LNG back into gas so it can flow through local pipeline systems.

Shell operates an integrated gas business. It controls supply by producing gas from various fields. The company also operates LNG export facilities and markets LNG -- from its own facilities and from third-party facilities -- to customers around the world. The combination enables Shell to keep costs low to maximize the value of the LNG it produces.

Shell is actively expanding its leading global LNG business. It aims to add up to 6.4 million tons of capacity by the end of the decade. It has projects underway in Qatar, Nigeria, and the UAE. Shell is also a partner with Exxon and Chevron in the Gorgon project. Once complete, they'll help extend the company's dominance in the global LNG market.

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5. TotalEnergies

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NYSE: TTE

TotalEnergies

Today's Change

(0.00%) $0.00

Current Price

$0.00

Key Data Points

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TotalEnergies (TTE +1.35%) has made LNG a priority in recent years. The French energy giant focuses on investing in renewable energy, electricity, and natural gas. It aims to have gas -- natural gas, hydrogen, and biogas -- supply 50% of its energy mix by 2030.

TotalEnergies has acquired and developed several LNG projects over the past few years. The investments pushed it up the global rankings for production capacity. Combined with its third-party supply agreements, it was the world's third-largest LNG player.

TotalEnergies expects to continue expanding its LNG empire in the coming years. It joined forces with GIP and NextDecade (NEXT +4.16%) to participate in the Rio Grande LNG project in the U.S., which will grow its capacity from 12 MTPA to more than 15 MTPA by 2030. It also took a 16.6% stake in the Energia Costa Azul LNG project in Mexico. Additionally, the company resumed development of a massive $20 billion LNG project in Mozambique in early 2026, which it expects will begin producing by 2029. Finally, it agreed to a long-term offtake agreement for 2 MTPA of LNG from the proposed Alaska LNG project in early 2026.

6. Chevron

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NYSE: CVX

Chevron

Today's Change

(1.07%) $1.87

Current Price

$175.88

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$347B

Day's Range

$174.95 - $178.57

52wk Range

$146.49 - $214.71

Volume

522.6K

Avg Vol

10.1M

Gross Margin

15.15%

Dividend Yield

4.01%

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Chevron is a major player in the global LNG market. It operates the Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG projects in Australia, making it a major LNG supplier to Japan. It also owns an interest in Angola LNG, one of the largest energy projects in Africa and the first LNG project in Angola. Additionally, the company operate the Leviathan gas field offshore Israel, including a floating LNG terminal.

Chevron also has LNG contracts with several third-party terminals along the U.S. Gulf Coast. These agreements will enable it to export 7 million metric tons of LNG per year from the U.S. Gulf Coast starting in 2026.

7. Energy Transfer

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NYSE: ET

Energy Transfer

Today's Change

(0.25%) $0.05

Current Price

$19.86

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$68B

Day's Range

$19.75 - $20.02

52wk Range

$16.18 - $20.70

Volume

7.6M

Avg Vol

12.6M

Gross Margin

11.57%

Dividend Yield

6.74%

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LNG FAQ

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About the Author

Matt DiLallo has been a contributing Motley Fool stock analyst specializing in the energy, industrials, and real estate sectors since 2012. He also covers dividend-paying stocks, pre-IPO companies, ETFs, and other investing topics. He holds an MBA from Liberty University.

TMFmd19

@MatthewDiLallo

Matt DiLallo has positions in Chevron and ConocoPhillips. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cheniere Energy and Chevron. The Motley Fool recommends ConocoPhillips. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

7 Best Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

Key Points

Key Data Points

2. ConocoPhillips

Key Data Points

3. ExxonMobil

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

5. TotalEnergies

Key Data Points

6. Chevron

Key Data Points

7. Energy Transfer

Key Data Points

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LNG FAQ

What are the best LNG stocks to buy?

Who is the largest producer of LNG?

Who is the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas?

What is liquefied natural gas?

How can investors reduce risk when investing in LNG stocks?

How often does LNG pay dividends?

How volatile are LNG stocks?

1. Cheniere Energy

2. ConocoPhillips

3. ExxonMobil

5. TotalEnergies

7. Energy Transfer

How to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) Stocks

Benefits and risks of investing in liquefied natural gas stocks

Should you invest in liquified natural gas (LNG) stocks?

Related investing topics

FAQ

7 top liquefied natural gas (LNG) stocks for 2026

Key Data Points

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4. Shell

6. Chevron