Right now, what’s hottest in the stock market? I have to say oil is the real deal. Amid tense geopolitical events and escalating energy crises, oil prices are highly volatile. And this is a golden opportunity for investors to keep an eye on oil stocks.

Actually, investing in oil stocks isn’t easy because you need to understand that each company has different strengths. Some focus on steady dividends, while others grow quickly but are more volatile.

Let’s look at Thai stocks first. PTT, our flagship, is priced at 34.50 baht, with a market value of about 999 billion baht. This stock is good because it pays consistent dividends of 5-7% per year. Suitable for those seeking stable income. But the downside is government intervention often affects energy prices, impacting PTT’s profits. PTTGC, a petrochemical company, is priced at 28.25 baht. It’s more volatile, following economic cycles, but if you understand these cycles, there’s good profit potential.

Next, TOP (Thai Oil) at 48.25 baht focuses on refining. Its price moves with global refining margins. If you closely follow crude oil prices, it might suit you. BCP (Bangchak) at 36.50 baht has a good story—after acquiring Esso, its market share increased. Suitable for growth story investors. PTG at 8 baht is a small player expanding gas stations and coffee shops. It doesn’t pay high dividends yet because it reinvests profits for growth.

Looking abroad, Saudi Aramco, the world’s top, at 26.86 SAR offers very high and stable dividends—perfect for safety-focused investors. ExxonMobil and Chevron are top US stocks. ExxonMobil at $156.12 is a Dividend Aristocrat, increasing dividends for decades. Chevron at $196.82 has strong cash flow and buys back shares.

PetroChina, an Asian player, at 12.05 yuan benefits from China’s market monopoly. It offers high dividends but comes with risks from Chinese policies. Shell, a European giant, at $44.67 is a major LNG leader, emphasizing dividends and share buybacks.

If you want to invest in oil stocks, there are many options: invest in oil funds for simplicity, pick individual stocks if you want to choose yourself, or trade CFDs if you want to use less capital but leverage. Currently, oil stocks have the advantage of continuous demand from many industries, attractive dividends, and during energy crises, they serve as both risk hedges and profit tools.

Finally, oil prices fluctuate based on many factors—geopolitical situations, seasons, exchange rates, or production capacity of major producers. So, before investing in oil stocks, you must study thoroughly, understand the business, and choose stocks that match your style. Once you understand, oil assets can truly generate profits.