Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at HighPeak Energy (NASDAQ: HPK) and the best and worst performers in the u.s. shale e&p industry.

US shale oil producers extract crude from tight rock formations using horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) techniques, primarily in basins like the Permian, Bakken, and Eagle Ford. Tailwinds include short-cycle investment flexibility allowing rapid production adjustments, technological improvements enhancing well productivity, and proximity to refining and export infrastructure. Capital discipline has improved financial returns. Headwinds include commodity price sensitivity affecting drilling economics, accelerating well decline rates requiring continuous capital investment, and increasing regulatory and ESG scrutiny. Water usage, induced seismicity concerns, and evolving environmental regulations present ongoing operational challenges.

The 11 u.s. shale e&p stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.7%.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 8.1% since the latest earnings results.

HighPeak Energy (NASDAQ: HPK)

Operating in the oil-rich northeastern corner of the Midland Basin where Howard and Borden counties meet, HighPeak Energy (NASDAQ: HPK) explores for, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas.

HighPeak Energy reported revenues of $215.9 million, down 20.7% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA and revenue estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 23.5% since reporting and currently trades at $7.64.

Is now the time to buy HighPeak Energy? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Chord Energy (NASDAQ: CHRD)

Holding the largest acreage position in the Williston Basin, Chord Energy (NASDAQ: CHRD) drills for and produces crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas in North Dakota's Williston Basin.

Chord Energy reported revenues of $1.67 billion, up 37.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 33.1%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and revenue estimates.

Chord Energy scored the biggest analyst estimate beat among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 12.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $130.21.

Is now the time to buy Chord Energy? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: Texas Pacific Land (NYSE: TPL)

One of America's largest private landowners with roughly 868,000 acres in the Permian Basin, Texas Pacific Land (NYSE: TPL) owns land in West Texas and earns revenue from oil and gas royalties, water services, and land leases.

Texas Pacific Land reported revenues of $236.8 million, up 20.8% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA and revenue estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 12.9% since the results and currently trades at $365.52.

Read our full analysis of Texas Pacific Land’s results here.

Crescent Energy (NYSE: CRGY)

Controlling over 1.4 million net acres across proven U.S. basins, Crescent Energy (NYSE: CRGY) extracts oil and natural gas from underground reservoirs in Texas and the Rocky Mountains.

Crescent Energy reported revenues of $1.18 billion, up 24.5% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a very strong quarter as it also logged a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 18.9% since reporting and currently trades at $11.12.

Read our full, actionable report on Crescent Energy here, it’s free.

Viper Energy (NASDAQ: VNOM)

Operating a business model that requires no drilling rigs or production equipment of its own, Viper Energy (NASDAQ: VNOM) owns mineral and royalty interests in oil and gas properties, collecting revenue when operators extract resources from land.

Viper Energy reported revenues of $511 million, up 109% year on year. This result met analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also produced a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA and EPS estimates.

Viper Energy delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 14.2% since reporting and currently trades at $43.71.

Read our full, actionable report on Viper Energy here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand-wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 6 Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.