U.S. Oil Names Advance as Investors Reposition Around Venezuela Shift

Written by Sandra Leggero

Sandra Leggero has a background in financial markets, having spent more than 9 years in commodities trading for several European and Asian companies. She holds a degree in Economics from the University of Pavia and specializes in emerging markets.

, | Updated: January 6, 2026

Key Moments

U.S. oversight of Venezuela highlights potential upside for American oil companies with regional expertise.
Valero Energy (NYSE: VLO), Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX), and Chevron Corp (NYSE: CVX) all posted strong single-session gains as investors reacted.
Twelve U.S. oil stocks were identified by Investing.com as undervalued, trading 30.4% to 71% below their estimated fair value.

Washington’s Move on Venezuela Reframes Energy Outlook

The United States placed Venezuela under temporary oversight, refocusing attention on capital flows into one of the world’s largest oil reserves. Investors are now evaluating which U.S.-listed oil companies could benefit. Washington signaled support for efforts to revive Venezuela’s energy sector and gradually restore output.

President Donald Trump said the U.S. would oversee the country until a political transition is possible. He also urged U.S. energy firms to lead the rebuilding of Venezuela’s oil industry, emphasizing their role in restoring production and stabilizing output.

Market reactions indicate that investors see opportunities in Venezuela’s oil reserves, particularly for American companies with prior regional experience.

Initial Market Reaction: Refiners and Majors Rally

Several U.S. oil companies gained sharply yesterday as news about Venezuela spread through trading desks.

Company	Ticker / Exchange	Move
Valero Energy	VLO / NYSE	+9.2%
Phillips 66	PSX / NYSE	+7.2%
Chevron Corp	CVX / NYSE	+5%+

As U.S. trusteeship continues, investors are keeping a close eye on companies likely to benefit over the coming months.

Screening for Undervalued U.S. Oil Stocks

Investing.com’s stock screener identified U.S. oil stocks that appear undervalued and may gain if the sector re-rates. The analysis relied on two InvestingPro metrics:

InvestingPro Fair Value: a blended estimate of intrinsic worth using multiple valuation models.
Financial Health Score: measures a company’s financial strength versus peers.

Using these criteria, analysts highlighted 12 U.S. oil stocks trading at 30.4% to 71% below their fair value.

Accessing the Screener and Tools

InvestingPro subscribers with Pro+ plans can access the full screener search directly. Existing Pro members can upgrade to Pro+ for expanded functionality, while new users can subscribe to InvestingPro to explore these opportunities and the broader toolkit.

Diversifying Beyond Energy

Although the current focus is on oil, investors should consider diversification across multiple sectors. The Investing.com screener provides pre-set filters for: