Zacks presents its investment screening tools and Style Scores system designed to help investors identify stocks with strong performance potential. The article highlights Crescent Energy (CRGY) as a #1 Strong Buy pick with positive growth forecasts and earnings estimate revisions.

Energy sector M&A activity is accelerating with elevated crude prices around $90/barrel supporting strategic acquisitions. Crescent Energy is acquiring Devon Energy's Eagle Ford assets for $3.85 billion, Energy Transfer is acquiring Vaquero Midstream for $2.63 billion, Cenovus Energy is acquiring Athabasca Oil for C$5.7 billion, and Drilling Tools International is acquiring Saltire and Foxley for approximately $80 million in cash and stock. These transactions are expected to enhance operational efficiency, expand production capacity, and generate significant synergies for the acquiring companies.

The oil and energy sector is experiencing increased M&A activity as companies pursue strategic acquisitions to expand production, reduce costs, and improve profitability. Recent major deals include Crescent Energy's $3.85B acquisition of Devon Energy's Eagle Ford assets, Energy Transfer's $2.63B Vaquero Midstream buyout, Cenovus Energy's C$5.7B Athabasca Oil acquisition, and Drilling Tools International's purchase of Saltire and Foxley. These transactions are expected to generate significant synergies, expand asset portfolios, and create long-term earnings growth opportunities for investors.

GE Vernova (GEV) shares rose 9.4% in the past month, driven by securing the first U.S. construction permit for its BWRX-300 small modular reactor and expanding its services business with a gas turbine life extension deal in Egypt. However, the stock trades at a premium valuation (40.14X forward P/E) and faces headwinds from supply chain disruptions and tariff costs of $100-200 million in 2026. New investors may wait for better entry points, while current holders are advised to stay invested given strong earnings growth and ROE.

Crescent Energy (CRGY) has a strong track record of beating earnings estimates, with an average surprise of 26.42% over the past two quarters. The company currently has a positive Earnings ESP of +11.44% and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating, suggesting another earnings beat is likely in its next quarterly report. Stocks with this combination of positive ESP and strong rank historically beat consensus estimates nearly 70% of the time.

Crescent Energy (CRGY) is significantly outperforming the Oils-Energy sector with a year-to-date gain of 61.6% compared to the sector average of 31.4%. The company holds a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating with consensus earnings estimates up 43.9% in the past quarter. Alvopetro Energy Ltd. (ALVOF) is also outperforming with a 37.1% year-to-date return and a Zacks Rank #1 rating.

The article highlights two oil and energy stocks with positive Earnings Surprise Prediction (ESP) figures ahead of their earnings reports: Crescent Energy (CRGY) with a +11.44% ESP and Strong Buy rating, and Devon Energy (DVN) with a +7.17% ESP and Hold rating. Both stocks are expected to beat analyst earnings expectations based on the Zacks ESP methodology.

Three energy sector stocks have been identified as having Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) ratings with strong value characteristics. Par Pacific Holdings (PARR), Crescent Energy Company (CRGY), and APA Corporation (APA) all feature low price-to-earnings ratios compared to their respective industry benchmarks and possess Value Scores of A, with recent earnings estimate increases ranging from 17.9% to 23.6% over the past 60 days.

Crescent Energy (CRGY) closed at $13.56, up 1.27% on the day but down 2.76% over the past month. The oil and gas company is projected to report strong earnings growth of 42.86% EPS and 32.46% revenue increase year-over-year. With a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) and a Forward P/E of 4.83 trading below the industry average of 17.21, the stock appears undervalued. Analyst estimates have increased 24.63% over the past month, indicating growing optimism.

Crescent Energy (CRGY) declined 1.89% to $13.01 in the latest session, underperforming its sector. The company is expected to report strong earnings growth of 60% EPS and 38% revenue growth year-over-year, with full-year projections showing 42.78% earnings growth. However, the stock holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating despite trading at a discount with a Forward P/E of 5.17 compared to the industry average of 17.5.

New Era Energy & Digital (NUAI) surged 30.6% following announcement of a 20-year power purchase agreement with Vistra for 200-207 MW of power for its Texas Critical Data Center project. However, the company faces headwinds with expected quarterly losses of $0.11 per share (up 45% year-over-year) and declining revenues. With unchanged earnings estimates over the past 30 days and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), analysts question whether the recent rally can sustain.

Crescent Energy stock fell 6.31% on September 16, 2026, underperforming the S&P 500's 0.45% loss. Despite the recent decline, the company is expected to report strong earnings growth of 60% YoY with revenue projected at $1.2 billion (38% increase). The stock trades at a Forward P/E of 5.99, significantly below its industry average of 17.92, and currently holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).