ASX 200 energy shares were the worst performers in FY25, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) falling 13.52%.
Energy shares struggled amid geopolitical turmoil, global economic uncertainty, and weak commodity prices, especially oil.
Headwinds included conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the economic slowdown in China, the world's biggest crude oil importer.
A plan among OPEC+ countries to raise production also weighed on the Brent Crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil prices.
New US tariffs reignited fears of a resurgence in inflation, potentially slowing economic growth and delaying interest rate cuts.
Trading Economics analysts said on Friday:
On the trade front, the recent US-Vietnam agreement lent some support to prices, but broader uncertainty remains as major partners like the EU and Japan have yet to secure deals ahead of the July 9 deadline.
President Trump said Thursday that letters specifying tariff rates on imports to the US would begin being sent out Friday.
For the week, Brent crude is on track to post a gain of over 2%, rebounding from its sharpest weekly decline in more than two years.
Image source: Getty Images
What happened to the big energy stocks last year?
The share prices of the biggest players of the ASX 200 energy sector fell in FY25, or at best, moved sideways.
The largest energy share, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), tumbled 16% in FY25, closing at $23.66 on Monday.
The share price of Santos Ltd (ASX: STO), the second biggest energy share, lifted 0.91% to close at $7.73 per share.
The third biggest ASX 200 energy share, coal stock Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL), fell by 12.5% to close at $5.79 on 30 June.
Additionally, shares in fuel retailer Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) fell 20% from $32.34 on 30 June 2024 to $25.88 on 30 June 2025.
ASX 200 coal mining share Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) dropped 29% from $7.65 to $5.46 per share.
Energy supplier Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) shed 31% with its share price going from $3.15 to $2.16.
While the ASX 200 energy large-cap shares had a tough year, other stocks managed to achieve some price growth.
Here are the top 5 performers among energy shares for price growth in FY25.
5 best ASX 200 energy shares of FY25
1. Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL)
ASX 200 uranium share Deep Yellow rose by 25% to finish the year at $1.67 per share.
Uranium shares received a boost when a major fund manager announced a $200 million purchase of physical uranium in June.
2. Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE)
Fellow uranium share, Boss Energy, lifted 13% in value to close at $4.67 per share on 30 June.
3. Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR)
ASX 200 oil share Karoon Energy rose by 5% to close at $1.92.
4. Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)
The Santos share price edged 0.91% higher to close at $7.73 per share.
Santos shares were boosted by a $30 billion takeover offer two weeks before the end of the financial year.
5. Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT)
Beach Energy shares fell 11% to $1.32.
