Following weekend military skirmishes, the U.S. and Iran agreed to halt hostilities and are meeting in Qatar for peace negotiations. Despite the ceasefire agreement, Iran continues to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, delaying global energy market recovery. Oil prices rose modestly (~2%), with WTI at $70/barrel and Brent near $75. Low global inventory levels and continued uncertainty present both risks and opportunities for energy investors.

As AI infrastructure demands surge, power has become a critical bottleneck in data center expansion. Bloom Energy and Oneok are positioned to capitalize on this trend through their energy infrastructure solutions. Bloom Energy provides on-site fuel cell power for data centers, while Oneok supplies natural gas infrastructure. Both companies show strong financial momentum but face execution risks.

Enbridge and Oneok are compared as top pipeline stocks with strong dividend track records and stable cash flows. Both companies are investing in expansion projects to support future dividend growth. Enbridge is recommended as the better buy due to its higher dividend yield (4.90% vs 4.64%), larger project backlog ($26.5 billion secured through 2030), faster expected cash flow growth (5% annually), and potential for higher total returns.

As tech stocks dominate market gains, contrarian investors can capitalize on discounted closed-end funds offering yields up to 11.8%. Three funds—Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB), DoubleLine Income Solutions Fund (DSL), and NXG Nextgen Infrastructure Income Fund (NXG)—provide diversified exposure to stocks, bonds, and infrastructure while trading at significant discounts to net asset value.

Oneok reported strong Q1 2026 earnings with 12% net income growth and 13% adjusted EBITDA growth, driven by higher volumes across its midstream operations. The company raised its full-year 2026 guidance and is investing $2.7-3.2 billion in expansion projects expected to come online through 2028. With a 4.7% dividend yield and plans to increase dividends 3-4% annually, Oneok is positioned for continued growth.

ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE) announced a quarterly dividend of $1.07 per share, unchanged from the previous quarter, resulting in an annualized dividend of $4.28 per share. The dividend is payable May 15, 2026, to shareholders of record as of May 4, 2026.

With growth stocks rebounding strongly, dividend stocks have underperformed, creating buying opportunities for income-focused investors. The article recommends four dividend stocks: Illinois Tool Works (62 years of dividend increases), Oneok (reliable pipeline company with 5% yield), Verizon Communications (6.1% yield, 19 consecutive years of increases), and Brookfield Asset Management (targeting 15-20% annual growth with ~90% dividend payout).

Oneok (OKE), an energy midstream company, has rallied 15% in 2026 and continues to look attractive despite the surge. The company maintains a 25+ year track record of stable and growing dividends, offers a 5% yield, and trades at a reasonable 15x forward earnings valuation. With merger synergies and expansion projects expected to drive ~9% annual earnings growth through 2028, the stock could deliver double-digit total returns.

While oil prices have surged 60% due to the Iran conflict, the gains for oil producers are expected to be temporary. Pipeline stocks with long-term fixed-rate contracts offer more stable, predictable earnings and large project backlogs, making them better long-term holds. Three recommended contract-rich pipeline stocks are Enbridge, Kinder Morgan, and Oneok.

Energy Transfer and Oneok are recommended as compelling investment opportunities in April despite oil price volatility from the Iran conflict. Both companies generate stable, fee-based cash flows (90% and 85-90% respectively) that are relatively insulated from crude price fluctuations, supported by secured expansion projects and dividend growth plans of 3-5% annually.

As the Iran crisis escalates and restricts oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, energy prices surge with Brent crude potentially reaching $150-$200 per barrel. Two energy stocks gaining investor attention are Chevron, which benefits from diversified upstream operations outside the affected region, and Oneok, a midstream specialist with a fee-based business model. Despite recent price increases, both stocks remain attractive investment opportunities based on their strong fundamentals and dividend growth.

The article recommends four energy sector dividend stocks as reliable income sources despite market volatility. Oneok and Kinder Morgan are highlighted as midstream pipeline companies with strong recurring revenue, Chevron is praised for its diversified operations and 39-year dividend growth streak, and Constellation Energy is positioned to benefit from growing nuclear energy demand for data centers.