4. Range Resources Corporation (NYSE:RRC)
Net Profit Margin: 28.12%
Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) takes the fourth spot on this list of the most profitable energy stocks to buy now, backed by a net profit margin of 28.12%. Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) is a leading U.S. independent natural gas and natural gas liquids producer, with operations focused in the Appalachian Basin. That makes Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) a key name for investors searching for natural gas stocks, NGL stocks, Appalachian Basin energy companies, profitable energy stocks, and oil and gas stocks with high net profit margins.
The Appalachian Basin is one of the most important natural gas-producing regions in the United States. It includes the Marcellus and Utica formations, which have helped transform America into one of the world’s leading natural gas producers. Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) has long been associated with this region, and that gives the company a strong position in the natural gas and NGL market. For investors who want exposure to U.S. gas production rather than pure oil production, Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) offers a different kind of energy-sector opportunity.
On May 26, Barclays lifted its price target on Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) from $41 to $43 and maintained its “Equal Weight” rating on the shares. Based on the recent stock price of $38.00, the revised target represents upside potential of almost 12%. The rating itself may not be aggressive, but the price target increase shows that Barclays still sees room for Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) to move higher, particularly as the energy market continues to adjust to supply risks and tighter oil conditions.
Barclays noted that depleting inventories, reduced spare capacity within OPEC, and a muted U.S. supply response to Middle East disruptions are contributing to a tighter oil macro backdrop. That backdrop, according to the analyst firm, is not yet fully reflected in energy stock valuations. This matters because when analysts talk about a possible re-rating, they are essentially saying that the market may eventually assign higher valuation multiples to certain energy stocks if earnings, commodity prices, and investor sentiment continue to improve.
For Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC), the situation is a bit more nuanced. The company is primarily a natural gas and NGL producer, not a pure oil operator. However, the broader energy-sector rally can still support investor interest in companies like Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC), especially if energy security, domestic supply, and infrastructure reliability remain major themes. In a year when oil prices, LNG flows, Middle East tensions, and OPEC spare capacity are all being closely watched, natural gas producers are also part of the larger energy conversation.
Barclays also suggested that the tighter oil macro environment could lead to a re-rating of “oily” exploration and production operators once the war reaches its conclusion. While Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) is more gas-heavy, the company still operates within the broader exploration and production universe, where sentiment can move across the group. When investors rotate into energy stocks, they often do not stop at oil majors. They also look at natural gas producers, NGL players, pipeline companies, midstream operators, and oilfield service names.
At the same time, Barclays lowered its gas price outlook because of near-term oversupply issues. This is an important detail for readers. Natural gas is not always driven by the same forces as oil. Gas prices can be pressured by production growth, weather patterns, storage levels, LNG export capacity, and regional bottlenecks. That is why Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) carries both opportunity and risk. The company has a strong profitability profile, but the natural gas market can be volatile, especially when supply runs ahead of demand.
Still, Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) made this list because of its 28.12% net profit margin. That margin shows that even in a challenging gas pricing environment, the company has been able to convert a significant portion of revenue into profit. For investors searching for high-margin energy stocks, natural gas companies to watch, and profitable exploration and production stocks in 2026, Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) deserves attention.
The investment story of Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) is not as simple as “oil prices are up, so the stock should rise.” It is more about how one of America’s leading natural gas and NGL producers fits into a market where energy security, domestic production, and supply reliability are back in focus. In a volatile year for energy, Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) remains a profitable name in a sector that investors can no longer afford to ignore.
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