Top Rated Stock: Big Winners from Rising Oil Prices

Crude oil is quietly breaking out higher—supply tightens, demand rebounds, and one sector is about to cash in big. Which names are best positioned? Find out now.

HERE ARE OUR PICKS FOR THIS WEEK!

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Chevron Corporation (CVX): Upstream Strength with Exploration Upside

Chevron Corporation (CVX) showcased resilient execution in Q4 2025 earnings reported January 30, 2026, with adjusted earnings of $3.0 billion ($1.52 per share diluted), beating consensus by $0.08 despite softer oil prices. Revenues totaled $46.87 billion, down 10.25% year-over-year but exceeding estimates by $214 million. Cash flow from operations reached $10.8 billion, with adjusted free cash flow at $4.2 billion, supporting $3 billion in share repurchases and a 4% dividend increase to $1.78 per share quarterly. Full-year production set records, with a reserve replacement ratio of 158% and U.S. output up 16%.

Melius Research analyst James West upgraded CVX to Buy from Hold on February 17, 2026, raising the target to $205, citing accelerated exploration spending (up 50%), Hess integration adding talent and acreage (+50% position with 10 new basins), and underappreciated Venezuela opportunities. As the sole major U.S. operator in Venezuela under waivers, CVX stands to benefit from potential regime shifts unlocking vast reserves—the world's largest—amid renewed focus on value over volume.

Projections are optimistic: Exploration momentum, Venezuela tailwinds, and disciplined capital allocation position CVX for sustained cash flow growth and shareholder returns. In a market overlooking supply discipline and emerging demand, CVX offers compelling total returns blending defensive yield with upside leverage.

Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL): Cruise Recovery Hits New Highs

Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) achieved record full-year fiscal 2025 results, with net income exceeding $3 billion (up 60% year-over-year), driven by historical highs in revenues, yields (>5.5% growth), operating income, and EBITDA across all quarters. Q4 2025 contributed strongly, with adjusted EPS of $0.34 beating estimates (36% surprise) and revenues of $6.3 billion slightly below $6.37 billion consensus but reflecting resilient demand. Customer deposits hit all-time highs (up 7% YoY), onboard revenue per diem surged, and bookings for 2026-2027 set records despite U.S. consumer sentiment weakness.

Management highlighted pricing at historical highs in North America and Europe, with two-thirds of 2026 capacity secured at premium levels. For 2026, yields are guided ~2.5% higher (3% normalized), with net income projected over $3.45 billion amid manageable cost growth and no new ship deliveries.

Projections favor continuation: Strong close-in demand, onboard monetization, and AI/marketing investments support margin expansion and earnings visibility. In a normalizing macro, CCL delivers cyclical leverage with defensive recovery traits, positioning for attractive total returns.

JD.com Inc (JD): E-Commerce Dominance with Subsidy Push

JD continues to strengthen its supply chain leadership, with the February 26, 2026 launch of the "Billion Supermarket" channel on its app marking a major escalation in fresh groceries and daily essentials. The initiative commits over RMB 20 billion in product subsidies over three years to drive incremental sales of RMB 200 billion for brands, intensifying competition in high-frequency categories and expanding user base.

Recent Q3 2025 results (latest available) showed total revenues up 14.9% year-over-year, with JD Retail revenues of RMB 250.6 billion (up 11.4%) and operating income of RMB 14.8 billion (margin 5.9%, up from 5.2%). Q2 2025 revenues grew 22.4% to RMB 356.7 billion, with JD Retail at RMB 310.1 billion (up 20.6%) and margin expansion to 4.5%.

The "Billion Supermarket" builds on prior supermarket strategies, focusing on products, brands, categories, channels, and efficiency to capture more daily consumption share amid China's e-commerce maturation.

Projections highlight acceleration: Subsidy-driven traffic and loyalty gains could boost GMV growth, margin stability, and market share in groceries. As JD leverages logistics advantages, expect sustained revenue momentum and valuation re-rating in a competitive landscape.