http://profitableinvestingtips.com/investing-tips/how-to-invest-in-the-energy-sector How to Invest in the Energy Sector The energy sector has taken a beating since the plunge in crude oil prices. Eventually all markets bottom out and there are profits to be made on the rebound. The question is how to invest in the energy sector in preparation for an eventual recovery. According to Investopedia the energy sector is a stock category that relates to producing or supplying energy. This sector includes companies involved in the exploration and development of oil or gas reserves, oil and gas drilling, or integrated power firms. Performance in the sector is largely driven by the supply and demand for worldwide energy. Energy producers will do very well during times of high oil and gas prices, but will earn less when the value of energy drops. Furthermore, this sector is sensitive to political events, which historically have driven changes in the price of oil. A broader definition of companies providing energy is the energy industry. Although the prices of stocks in this larger definition are affected by the price of crude oil these are not all oil-related stocks. Here is a wider breakdown of the energy sector. Petroleum Industry: Oil companies, petroleum refiners, fuel storage and transport services, gas stations, oil exploration companies, companies that supply technical equipment such as for inspecting deep water drilling platforms Gas Industry: Companies involved in natural gas exploration, drilling and extraction, coal gas manufacture, storage, transport and sales Coal Industry: Coal mining companies, transport (railroads)