Goldman Sachs’ exploration team identified three Strong Buy energy stocks with upside potential driven by oil volatility. Viper Energy’s royalty-heavy model and Cheniere Energy’s six-train LNG export capacity anchored the list, reflecting low capex requirements and high contracted cash flows.

In August, Viper acquired Sitio Royalties in an all-equity deal, integrating assets into operations by 3Q25, and agreed to sell non-Permian assets for $670 million closing in 1Q26. The firm pays a 33-cent regular and 25-cent variable dividend, reported $0.40 adjusted EPS in 3Q25 and holds $53 million in cash, while trading at a 10% FCF yield under a $54 price target.

CEO David Solomon will headline a crypto forum at Mar-a-Lago alongside key regulators and Nasdaq leadership, hosted by Trump family-backed World Liberty Financial. The convergence of firm executives and federal officials has prompted ethics scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest.