The world is an uncertain place at the moment.
For investors, during times like these, it's not the worst idea to fall back on companies that produce the essentials.
And, aside from water, nothing is much more basic than energy.
The sector is especially in the spotlight because of the region where the current geopolitical instability is.
Here are two energy shares from the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) that experts are recommending as buys right now:
Has this stock just woken from its slumber?
Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) is paying out a stunning 9.6% dividend yield, so one could be forgiven for thinking it's reached the top of its cycle.
But the company continues to impress, according to Fairmont Equities boss Michael Gable.
Whitehaven has traditionally earned its living from thermal coal, but he pointed out that it recently diversified into coal that helps produce steel.
"Whitehaven recently announced it had acquired two metallurgical coal mines in Queensland from the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA)," Gable told The Bull.
"We believe the acquisition is a positive move for Whitehaven."
Although the share price is down 14.5% over the past 12 months, Gable is encouraged by how it has crept up more than 19.3% since a 6 October trough.
"We expect Whitehaven to trend higher from here."
These energy shares can't stay cheap forever
Considering the disruptions to global energy supply since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February last year, investors could consider the sideways movement in the Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price somewhat disappointing.
Baker Young analyst Toby Grimm agrees, but reckons it can't remain undervalued for too much longer.
"Despite surging global crude oil prices and excellent operational performance at the company's key LNG projects in Papua New Guinea and Darwin, Santos shares recently remained more than 30% below our valuation," he said.
"The potential regulatory approval of its Barossa field development offers a catalyst in the short term."
Grimm is not alone with this sentiment, with CMC Markets currently showing 14 out of 16 analysts rating Santos shares as a buy.
Santos currently offers an unfranked dividend yield of 4.6%.
