The energy sector is down 8.2% so far this year, driven by declines in oil prices and a cooldown from a red-hot 2022. However, the sector can still do very well even at current prices. In fact, many companies are banking on oil staying where it is or suffering only a minor decline. Here's why the energy sector is set up nicely for 2024 and why it could be worth investing in now.

Image source: Getty Images.

The last few months have featured a flurry of mergers and acquisitions on the upstream side of the energy sector. In October, ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) announced an all-stock merger with Permian Basin producer Pioneer Natural Resources for $59.5 billion. Later that month, Chevron (NYSE: CVX) announced a merger with Hess for $53 billion, gaining access to the oil reserves offshore Guyana among other global plays. And earlier this month, Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY) announced a $12 billion acquisition of privately held Permian producer CrownRock.

Continue reading

Source Fool.com