| The energy sector has been sluggish in recent years, but 2013 has given a boost to oil and gas stocks. Geopolitical unrest in the Middle East has resulted in a “risk premium” for crude, a weaker dollar has slightly lifted commodity prices, and hope of a turnaround in European manufacturing has emerged in recent months.
As a result, we have seen a lift to a number of energy plays. But naturally, not all oil stocks are created equal. Consider megacap Exxon Mobil (XOM), which is up a mere 2% year-to-date in 2013 vs. 18% for the S&P 500, or nationalized Chinese oil stock CNOOC (CEO), which is slightly in the red this year...............................................Full Article: Source
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