With Energy Prices Rising Due to Crack Spreads, Think About Cashing In on These 2 Small Cap Oil Stocks
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 24 2026
0mins
Source: Marketbeat
Oil and Gas Stock Surge: Oil and gas stocks have surged since the onset of the Iran conflict, primarily due to the Persian Gulf's critical role in global oil supply, with approximately 20 million barrels passing through the Strait of Hormuz daily.
Refiners Benefit from Price Gaps: Refiners are currently benefiting from an unusual gap between crude and refined product prices, particularly in the U.S., which has led to increased margins for downstream refiners despite rising crude prices.
Market Dynamics and Risks: The widening crack spreads have insulated downstream companies from the volatility of crude prices, but there are risks that these spreads could normalize quickly, impacting refiners' profitability.
Investment Recommendations: Analysts suggest that investors consider small-cap oil stocks, as they may offer significant gains amidst the current market conditions, especially as energy prices fluctuate due to geopolitical tensions and supply chain dynamics.
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Analyst Views on PBF
Wall Street analysts forecast PBF stock price to fall
8 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
4 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 49.260
Low
23.00
Averages
33.63
High
42.00
Current: 49.260
Low
23.00
Averages
33.63
High
42.00
About PBF
PBF Energy Inc. is an independent refiner in North America, operating, through its subsidiaries, oil refineries and related facilities in California, Delaware, Louisiana, New Jersey and Ohio. The Company operates as a refiner and supplier of unbranded transportation fuels, heating oil, petrochemical feedstocks, lubricants, and other petroleum products. It operates through two segments: Refining and Logistics. The Refining segment includes the operations of its oil refineries and related facilities in Delaware City, Delaware, Paulsboro, New Jersey, Toledo, Ohio, Chalmette, Louisiana, Torrance, California and Martinez, California. The Logistics segment includes the operations of PBF Logistics LP, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of PBF Energy and PBF LLC, which owns or leases, operates, develops, and acquires crude oil and refined petroleum products terminals, pipelines, storage facilities, and similar logistics assets.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the current share price to the 200-day moving average provides valuable insights for investors, aiding in market trend assessments and potential buy or sell timing decisions.
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- Upgrade Impact: TD Cowen upgraded Delek US Holdings (DK) from Hold to Buy, resulting in an 8.1% stock increase, as the analyst sees the equity reflecting value for the underlying business despite the potential $18/share upside from small refinery exemptions.
- Small Refinery Exemptions: Delek was refunded 200 million RINs annually during 2022-2024, and the analyst anticipates a similar amount moving forward, which will help the company maintain competitiveness under future Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) rules.
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- Access to Conference Call: The conference call will be webcast on PBF Energy's website, and investors can also participate by dialing (800) 549-8228 or (646) 564-2877, ensuring broad participation and effective information dissemination.
- Audio Replay Availability: An audio replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after its conclusion on the company's website, providing access to those unable to attend live, thereby enhancing information accessibility and transparency.
- Company Overview: PBF Energy is one of the largest independent refiners in North America, operating multiple refineries and committed to safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible operations, emphasizing a safe workplace for employees and superior returns for investors, showcasing its leadership in the industry.
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PBF Energy to Release Q2 2026 Earnings on July 30
- Earnings Release Announcement: PBF Energy has announced that it will release its Q2 2026 earnings on July 30, 2026, which is expected to provide critical financial data and business updates, aiding investors in assessing the company's performance and future direction.
- Conference Call Details: The company will host a conference call and webcast on the same day at 8:30 a.m. ET, allowing investors to participate by dialing (800) 549-8228 or (646) 564-2877, enhancing engagement with stakeholders.
- Replay Availability: An audio replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after its conclusion on PBF Energy's website, ensuring that investors who cannot attend live can still access the latest company updates and insights.
- Company Background: PBF Energy is one of the largest independent refiners in North America, committed to safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible operations, and is also a 50% partner in the St. Bernard Renewables joint venture, highlighting its focus on future energy transitions.
See More
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- Investor Materials Release: The company will make presentation materials available on its website's Investor Relations section, ensuring that investors can access key information promptly, thereby enhancing transparency and trust.
- Company Overview: PBF Energy is one of the largest independent refiners in North America, operating multiple refineries and committed to safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible operations, aiming to provide superior returns to its investors.
- Sustainable Fuel Partnership: PBF Energy is also a 50% partner in the St. Bernard Renewables joint venture focused on the production of next-generation sustainable fuels, demonstrating the company's strategic positioning in the renewable energy sector.
See More
PBF Energy to Participate in Bank of America Energy Conference
- Management Participation: PBF Energy Inc. announced that its management team will participate in the Bank of America Energy and Power Credit Conference on June 3, 2026, showcasing the company's strategic direction and growth potential in the energy sector.
- Investor Relations Materials: The company will make presentation materials available on its website's Investor Relations section, aiming to enhance communication and transparency with investors, thereby improving market awareness of the company.
- Company Background: PBF Energy is one of the largest independent refiners in North America, operating multiple refineries and committed to safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible operations, reflecting the company's dedication to sustainability.
- Renewable Energy Partnership: PBF Energy is also a 50% partner in the St. Bernard Renewables joint venture focused on producing next-generation sustainable fuels, indicating the company's strategic positioning in the green energy sector.
See More
Analysis of XOP ETF's 52-Week Price Fluctuations
- Price Range Analysis: The XOP ETF has a 52-week low of $121.4551 per share and a high of $190.36, with the latest trade at $155.67, indicating stability within its volatility range and investor interest.
- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the current share price to the 200-day moving average provides valuable insights for investors, aiding in market trend assessments and potential buy or sell timing decisions.
- ETF Unit Trading Mechanism: ETFs trade like stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on demand, impacting liquidity and market performance.
- Inflows and Outflows Monitoring: Weekly monitoring of changes in shares outstanding helps identify ETFs experiencing significant inflows (new units created) or outflows (old units destroyed), assessing their impact on underlying assets and market dynamics.
See More
Delek US Holdings and PBF Energy Stocks Surge on Upgrade
- Upgrade Impact: TD Cowen upgraded Delek US Holdings (DK) from Hold to Buy, resulting in an 8.1% stock increase, as the analyst sees the equity reflecting value for the underlying business despite the potential $18/share upside from small refinery exemptions.
- Small Refinery Exemptions: Delek was refunded 200 million RINs annually during 2022-2024, and the analyst anticipates a similar amount moving forward, which will help the company maintain competitiveness under future Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) rules.
- RIN Price Surge: As the U.S. struggles to meet mandated volumes under the RVO, rising RIN prices will pass through to consumer pump prices, with the issuance of small refinery exemptions expected to alleviate this price pressure.
- PBF Energy Outlook: PBF Energy (PBF) was upgraded from Sell to Hold, with an 8.8% stock increase, and is expected to generate $2 billion in free cash flow, supporting deleveraging and enhanced cash generation capabilities amid robust margins.
See More
PBF Energy to Release Q2 2026 Earnings on July 30
- Earnings Release Announcement: PBF Energy has announced that it will release its Q2 2026 earnings on July 30, 2026, and will host a conference call at 8:30 AM ET on the same day to discuss financial results and other business matters, aiming to enhance transparency and investor confidence.
- Access to Conference Call: The conference call will be webcast on PBF Energy's website, and investors can also participate by dialing (800) 549-8228 or (646) 564-2877, ensuring broad participation and effective information dissemination.
- Audio Replay Availability: An audio replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after its conclusion on the company's website, providing access to those unable to attend live, thereby enhancing information accessibility and transparency.
- Company Overview: PBF Energy is one of the largest independent refiners in North America, operating multiple refineries and committed to safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible operations, emphasizing a safe workplace for employees and superior returns for investors, showcasing its leadership in the industry.
See More
PBF Energy to Release Q2 2026 Earnings on July 30
- Earnings Release Announcement: PBF Energy has announced that it will release its Q2 2026 earnings on July 30, 2026, which is expected to provide critical financial data and business updates, aiding investors in assessing the company's performance and future direction.
- Conference Call Details: The company will host a conference call and webcast on the same day at 8:30 a.m. ET, allowing investors to participate by dialing (800) 549-8228 or (646) 564-2877, enhancing engagement with stakeholders.
- Replay Availability: An audio replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after its conclusion on PBF Energy's website, ensuring that investors who cannot attend live can still access the latest company updates and insights.
- Company Background: PBF Energy is one of the largest independent refiners in North America, committed to safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible operations, and is also a 50% partner in the St. Bernard Renewables joint venture, highlighting its focus on future energy transitions.
See More
PBF Energy to Participate in Bank of America Energy Conference
- Management Participation: PBF Energy announced that its management team will participate in the Bank of America Energy and Power Credit Conference on June 3, 2026, showcasing the company's leadership in the energy sector and enhancing investor communication.
- Investor Materials Release: The company will make presentation materials available on its website's Investor Relations section, ensuring that investors can access key information promptly, thereby enhancing transparency and trust.
- Company Overview: PBF Energy is one of the largest independent refiners in North America, operating multiple refineries and committed to safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible operations, aiming to provide superior returns to its investors.
- Sustainable Fuel Partnership: PBF Energy is also a 50% partner in the St. Bernard Renewables joint venture focused on the production of next-generation sustainable fuels, demonstrating the company's strategic positioning in the renewable energy sector.
See More
PBF Energy to Participate in Bank of America Energy Conference
- Management Participation: PBF Energy Inc. announced that its management team will participate in the Bank of America Energy and Power Credit Conference on June 3, 2026, showcasing the company's strategic direction and growth potential in the energy sector.
- Investor Relations Materials: The company will make presentation materials available on its website's Investor Relations section, aiming to enhance communication and transparency with investors, thereby improving market awareness of the company.
- Company Background: PBF Energy is one of the largest independent refiners in North America, operating multiple refineries and committed to safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible operations, reflecting the company's dedication to sustainability.
- Renewable Energy Partnership: PBF Energy is also a 50% partner in the St. Bernard Renewables joint venture focused on producing next-generation sustainable fuels, indicating the company's strategic positioning in the green energy sector.
See More
