S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) listed energy shares aren't having the best of years in 2021.
In fact, of the 10 energy shares listed on the ASX 200, 4 are in the red with only 6 seeing their share price gain this calendar year.
For some perspective, the ASX 200 itself has gained 12.5% this year-to-date.
With that said, we take a look at the best and worst performing energy shares, starting with the underperformer…
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The worst performing energy share in 2021
Trailing the pack of ASX 200 energy shares is oil and gas producer Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT). Beach Energy's share price is down 34% year-to-date, currently trading at $1.21 per share.
By far the biggest issue to impact the share price this year was the disappointing third quarter results released on 30 April.
In its Q3 financial results, the company reported its production had fallen 5% quarter-on-quarter and was down 15% year-on-year. Citing reductions at its Western Flank project, Beach also withdrew its 5-year outlook. Shares closed down 24% on the day.
At the current share price Beach Energy has a market capitalisation of $2.8 billion. It pays a dividend yield of 1.62%, fully franked.
Moving on…
The best performing ASX 200 energy share
The best performer of 2021 is Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC), the biggest pure play coal miner on the ASX 200.
And here we were being told coal was history!
Whitehaven's shares have gained 27% year-to-date with a big turnaround for the positive in the middle of May.
In fact, shares leapt 23% higher in May, accounting for much of the 2021 gains. May's strength was largely driven by a surging coal price, which went from US$90 at the beginning of the month to US$109 by the end of the month.
Additionally, May also saw Whitehaven win a federal court stoush over its Vickery Extension Project.
At the current share price of $2.11, the ASX 200 energy share has a market cap of $2.2 billion. Whitehaven Coal pays an unfranked dividend yield of 0.83%.
