FXN is a smart beta ETF launched in 2007 that tracks the StrataQuant Energy Index with a 0.63% expense ratio. The fund has delivered strong year-to-date returns of 45.33% and 54.47% over the past year, but carries higher risk with a beta of 0.62 and 25.13% standard deviation. It holds approximately 40 energy stocks with top holdings including HF Sinclair Corp., APA Corporation, and Devon Energy Corporation.

Despite the Nasdaq's tech-heavy composition, five non-tech Nasdaq-listed stocks with Zacks Rank #1 ratings are positioned for strong growth. Ross Stores plans 115 store openings with 13% Q2 sales growth, Roku's advertising revenue climbed 24.8%, APA Corp benefits from cost savings and long-term growth projects, Corcept Therapeutics sees strong drug demand with recent FDA approvals, and Halozyme generates royalties from pharma collaborations.

APA (Apache Corporation), an oil and gas exploration and production company, demonstrates strong potential for another earnings beat. The company has surpassed earnings estimates by an average of 19.40% in the last two quarters and currently has a positive Earnings ESP of +1.40% combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating, suggesting a high probability of beating consensus estimates in its next quarterly report expected on November 4, 2026.

Zacks highlights two oil and energy stocks with positive Earnings Surprise Prediction (ESP) figures that could beat quarterly earnings expectations. APA (Apache Corporation) holds a Strong Buy rating with a +1.40% ESP ahead of its November 4, 2026 earnings release, while Chevron (CVX) also carries a Strong Buy rating with a +4.10% ESP before reporting on October 30, 2026. Both stocks show potential for positive earnings surprises based on recent analyst revisions.

Shell has agreed to acquire a 30% non-operated interest in Equinor's Bay du Nord offshore oil project in Canada's Flemish Pass Basin. The project holds over 400 million barrels of recoverable resources with first oil expected in 2031 and requires approximately C$14 billion in investment. An investment decision is targeted for early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and Shell's investment criteria.

A comparison of two oil and gas exploration companies shows APA as the superior value investment. APA holds a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) with a forward P/E of 7.79 and Value grade of A, while Cheniere Energy has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) with a forward P/E of 42.74 and Value grade of C. APA's lower valuation metrics and improving earnings outlook make it the more attractive option for value investors.

With Brent crude trading near $100-$105 per barrel due to Middle East tensions and Gulf of America outages, global oil inventories have fallen over 500 million barrels since February. Three energy stocks—APA Corporation, Equinor, and HF Sinclair—are highlighted as growth opportunities, each offering different exposure to the sector through exploration/production, international assets, and refining operations respectively.

APA Corporation, a Houston-based oil and gas exploration and production company, has received a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating with an A-grade VGM Score. The stock has demonstrated strong momentum with a 2.6% gain over the past four weeks, and analysts have revised fiscal 2026 earnings estimates upward by $0.64 to $5.89 per share, with an average earnings surprise of +27.8%.

APA Corporation has returned 87.6% year-to-date, outperforming the Oils-Energy sector average of 37.5%, with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating and improved earnings estimates. Phillips 66 has performed even better with 115.6% returns and a similar Strong Buy rating, driven by a 51% increase in consensus EPS estimates over three months.

Zacks highlights APA Corporation as a strong value investment opportunity, citing its Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating and 'A' grade in the Value category. The company trades at a P/E ratio of 8.22 compared to its industry average of 10.20, and a P/B ratio of 1.23 versus the industry average of 2.79, suggesting it is currently undervalued in the market.

Zacks Premium offers investment research tools including the Zacks Rank stock-rating system and Style Scores to help investors identify high-performing stocks. The Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks have averaged +23.86% annual returns since 1988, outperforming the S&P 500. APA Corporation is highlighted as a Strong Buy with strong growth prospects and positive earnings revisions.

Zacks Premium investment research service highlights APA Corporation (APA) as a #1 Strong Buy stock with an A-rated VGM Score. The energy company benefits from attractive valuation metrics including a forward P/E ratio of 7.56, with eight analysts revising earnings estimates higher in the last 60 days. The Zacks Rank system, which has historically outperformed the S&P 500 by more than double since 1988, recommends focusing on stocks with #1 or #2 rankings combined with A or B Style Scores for optimal investment returns.