What are some good energy stocks?

Although energy stocks suffered in the first half of 2015, the following companies outperformed the S&P 500, notes The Motley Fool: Williams Companies, symbol WMB; Valero Energy, symbol VLO; and Newfield Exploration, symbol NFX. WMB gained over 25 percent, LVO gained 31 percent, and NFX gained 36 percent.

As of March 2015, specific energy stocks to consider investing in include Atwood Oceanics, symbol ATW; StealthGas Inc., symbol GASS; and Renewable Energy Group, symbol REGI, according to Dan Moskowitz for Investopedia. Other energy stocks Moskowitz recommends include Seadrill Partners, symbol SDLP; Natural Resource Partners, symbol NRP; Western Gas Partners, symbol WES; and Alon USA Partners, symbol ALDW.