Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are both marching higher today, even as the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) drops another 0.9%.

While the broader index is under pressure amid the re-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, investors are bidding up the ASX 200 energy stocks as oil prices continue to climb.

Brent crude oil topped US$109 per barrel overnight. A barrel of Brent is currently trading for US$108.32, according to data from Bloomberg. That’s up 19.7% from US$90.50 per barrel on 1 September.

That’s today’s price action for you.

But if you’d invested $10,000 in Santos and Woodside shares three years ago, would you have beaten the 20% returns delivered by the ASX 200 since 15 September 2023?

Woodside shares endure long slide before a rebound

Three years ago, when Brent crude oil was on an upward trend at US$94 per barrel, you could have picked up Woodside shares for $38.39 apiece.

So, for $10,000, you could have bought 260 shares in the ASX oil and gas giant. From there, however, the stock was in a lengthy downward trend through to April 2025, when it commenced a strong rebound.

At time of writing, shares are changing hands for $33.14 each, down 13.7% in three years.

Though, thanks to the passive income Woodside pays, the losses are much less.

Here’s what I mean.

If you owned Woodside shares for the last three years, you would have received (or shortly will receive) the past six fully-franked Woodside dividends, totalling a rounded $5.24 a share.

Woodside stock traded ex-dividend on 3 September. Eligible stockholders can expect that passive income payout to land in their bank account on 25 September.

Now, if we add that $5.24 back into today’s share price, then the accumulated value of the Woodside shares you bought three years ago is worth $38.38 today.

And the 260 shares you bought for $10,000 are worth an accumulated $9,979.

So, how about Santos?

Santos shares lead the three-year race

While not shooting the lights out, Santos outperformed Woodside shares over the last three years.

On 15 September 2023, you could have bought Santos shares for $7.91 each. Meaning your $10,000 investment would have netted you 1,264 shares.

At time of writing, Santos shares are swapping hands for $8.65 apiece, up 9.4% in three years.

If you owned the stock over this period, you’d also have received (or shortly will) the last six Santos dividends, mostly unfranked, totalling a rounded $1.13 a share.

Santos traded ex-dividend on 24 August. Eligible investors can expect to receive that passive income payment on 23 September.

If we add that $1.13 back in to today’s share price, then the Santos shares you bought for $7.91 three years ago are now worth an accumulated $9.78 each.

And the 1,264 shares you bought for $10,000 are worth an accumulated $12,362.

How have the ASX 200 energy stocks fared in 2026?

Both ASX 200 energy stocks are enjoying a banner year amid tight global oil markets.

Santos shares have gained 40.6% in 2026, while Woodside shares are up 39.9%, not including their dividends.

The post $10,000 invested in Santos and Woodside shares 3 years ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX: ALK) shares are having a rough time during Friday midday.

The gold and antimony producer is down 4.23% to $1.81, extending what has already been a weak few days for the stock.

There was also an update after Thursday’s close that could be getting some attention.

Alkane revealed that managing director and CEO Nicholas Earner has sold 2 million shares.

It’s a decent sale, and I’d expect investors to want to know a bit more about it.

Why did the CEO sell?

According to Alkane’s ASX filing, Earner sold the 2 million shares on market at $1.947 each.

That puts the total value of the sale at around $3.89 million.

The company said the sale was made to meet Earner’s expected personal tax obligations and other commitments.

It also pointed out that this was his first personal sale of Alkane shares since 2020.

Even after the transaction, Earner still owns just over 4 million Alkane shares through related entities, along with almost 3 million performance rights.

So, I wouldn’t be hitting the panic button here just yet. It’s not like Earner has cashed out and walked away.

Alkane shares have had a big year

Even at $1.81, Alkane shares are still up around 35% in 2026 and roughly 75% over the past 12 months.

The company has been putting up some strong financial numbers too.

FY26 revenue jumped 257% to $935.8 million, while net profit after tax (NPAT) surged to $228.7 million.

Alkane produced 168,337 gold equivalent ounces across the year.

The balance sheet is in good shape, with cash and bullion of $438.9 million at 30 June.

And shareholders are getting some of that back, with Alkane declaring its first fully-franked dividend of 2 cents per share.

The company has even approved an on-market share buyback of up to $50 million.

Should investors be worried?

Personally, I wouldn’t be too concerned about one director sale.

That’s especially the case when Alkane has explained the reason and Earner still owns a sizeable holding.

What matters more is how the business performs.

Alkane is guiding for FY27 production of 163,000 to 177,000 gold equivalent ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of $2,900 to $3,200 per ounce.

I think those numbers, along with where the gold price goes next, will have a much bigger say on the share price.

There is plenty for shareholders to watch over the next few quarters, particularly after the huge run Alkane shares have already had.

The post CEO sells $3.9 million of shares. Should investors be worried? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Copper shares are leading the falls on the ASX on Friday, after doubts were raised about the US imposing tariffs on the vital industrial metal.

Tariffs fears have been boosting prices

The copper price has been hitting record highs recently amid fears the US will impose tariffs in a bid to promote more home-grown mining and production.

Reports indicate that traders have been importing copper into the US and building up stockpiles ahead of the rumoured tariffs, helping push prices higher.

But a report from Reuters overnight suggested that the White House was still weighing up the higher costs tariffs could impose on the US’ manufacturing sector against the benefits of encouraging more domestic mining.

Reuters quoted a White House official as saying all options remained on the table.

They said:

The administration continues to ​evaluate all options to reshore copper and other critical manufacturing back to the United States.

This has been interpreted by market watchers as suggesting tariffs may not be imposed, leading to sharp falls in the share prices of copper miners.

Among the Australian-listed producers, shares in Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP) fell 9.6%, Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) fell 7.8%, and Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) fell 6.7%.

Shares in BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), which now derives more than half of its earnings from copper, fell 3.7%, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares were off 2.7%.

“No tariff” decision could ease prices

Morgan Stanley said the Reuters report gave slightly more weight to a “no tariff” scenario.  

They added:

Today’s article does not constitute a decision but it arguably has driven the market to give slightly more weight to the “no tariff” scenario than before. Copper prices are up around 15% YTD with both benchmarks hitting all time highs in recent days, with much of this year’s strength arguably attributable to strong US import demand ahead of potential tariffs. We estimate US excess imports have now exceeded 450 kt YTD, or 2.5-3% of global refined copper demand when annualised. However, if those imports were to slow down, the copper market would feel substantially looser in our view.

Morgan Stanley said the proposed tariffs would be 15% on refined copper from the start of January 2027, potentially rising to 30% in 2028.

The Reuters article confirmed that an update report on the US copper market, due on June 30, had been given to the US President.

Copper demand is expected to remain strong in coming years as the electrification of the economy gains pace.

The post Down almost 10%! Why are ASX copper shares tanking? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.