After a relatively stagnant year in 2016, where gas consumption fell, and production barely rose, U.S. natural gas demand appears poised to accelerate over the next several years. According to an analysis by energy industry research specialist Wood Mackenzie, gas demand should rise 21% by 2021 and 32% by 2026. Fueling that increased demand will be new natural gas-fired power plants and gas-consuming industrial facilities as well as higher exports via pipeline to Mexico and through liquified natural gas (LNG) export facilities to global markets.

That forecast bodes well for the entire natural gas industry. However, while most gas stocks should thrive in that environment, two companies stand above the crowd as the top choices to buy now: EQT Corp (NYSE: EQT) and Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI). Not only is this duo the respective leaders in their category, but they trade for dirt-cheap valuations relative to their peers.

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Source: Fool.com