IEO Stock: iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF Profile & Analysis (2026)
The iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF provides targeted exposure to domestic companies engaged in the exploration, production, and distribution of oil and gas. — Updated May 2026 with current AUM, expense ratio, holdings, and performance data.
Investors looking for concentrated exposure to the American energy sector often turn to ieo stock. This exchange-traded fund tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Exploration & Production Index, offering a portfolio of 49 companies primarily focused on the upstream segment of the industry. Unlike broad commodity plays like the DBC Stock Profile, IEO invests in the equities of the companies extracting resources rather than the raw commodities themselves.
Managed by iShares (BlackRock), IEO serves as a tactical tool for investors who believe in the long-term profitability of domestic producers and refiners. It offers a more equity-centric alternative to natural gas tracking funds like the UNG Stock Profile. For those exploring more aggressive growth within this sector, comparing IEO against a list of publicly traded small cap oil gas exploration and production companies can provide valuable perspective on how this fund’s large-cap bias influences its risk-reward profile.
Key Takeaways — IEO Stock
IEO provides targeted exposure to U.S. companies specifically involved in the exploration, production, and refining of oil and gas products.
The fund is heavily weighted toward its top holdings, with the top 10 positions accounting for roughly 75% of the total portfolio value.
IEO has demonstrated significant momentum in 2026, boasting a YTD return of 34.22% as energy markets remain volatile yet profitable for producers.
With an expense ratio of 0.38%, IEO is a cost-efficient way to access a specialized segment of the energy market compared to many active funds.
IEO — Live Price Chart
Real-time chart from TradingView.
IEO ETF Vitals & Key Statistics
Core data as of May 2026.
| Data Point | Value | Data Point | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF | Ticker | IEO |
| Issuer | iShares (BlackRock) | Asset Class | Equity Energy / Energy Equities |
| Index Tracked | Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Exploration & Production Index | Structure | ETF (Open-Ended) |
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | AUM | ~$552.55M |
| Inception Date | May 1, 2006 | Exchange | AMEX |
| No. of Holdings | 49 | Dividend Yield | 2.1% |
| 52-Week High | $130.50 | 52-Week Low | $84.80 |
| Avg Daily Volume | 89,080 shares | YTD Return | 34.22% |
| 1-Year Return | 43.07% | 5-Year Return | 15.90% |
| Category | Energy Equities | Dividend Frequency | Quarterly |
IEO Top 10 Holdings (May 2026)
Largest positions by weight. Click columns to sort.
| Rank | Ticker | Company Name | Sector | Weight % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | COP | ConocoPhillips | Energy | 18.45% |
| 2 | VLO | Valero | Energy | 9.87% |
| 3 | EOG | EOG Resources | Energy | 9.56% |
| 4 | DVN | Devon Energy | Energy | 8.06% |
| 5 | PSX | Phillips 66 | Energy | 7.73% |
| 6 | FANG | Diamondback Energy | Energy | 5.11% |
| 7 | MPC | Marathon Petroleum | Energy | 4.96% |
| 8 | EQT | EQT | Energy | 3.89% |
| 9 | EXE | Expand Energy Corp | Energy | 3.49% |
| 10 | TPL | Texas Pacific Land | Energy | 3.38% |
IEO — Pros & Cons
✓ Direct Upstream Exposure
Captures the most profitable segment of the energy value chain during periods of rising oil and gas prices.
✗ Concentration Risk
A massive 18% allocation to ConocoPhillips means the fund’s performance is highly sensitive to a single company’s success.
✓ High Liquidity
With healthy daily volume, the fund is easy to trade with tight bid-ask spreads for most retail and institutional investors.
✗ Volatility
The exploration and production sector is notorious for extreme price swings based on geopolitical events and commodity shifts.
✓ Income Potential
The 2.1% dividend yield provides a modest income stream while waiting for capital appreciation in the energy sector.
✗ Regulatory Exposure
Heavy focus on U.S. companies makes the fund vulnerable to domestic policy changes regarding drilling permits and carbon taxes.
Who Should Consider IEO?
Tactical traders or long-term investors who are specifically bullish on the U.S. shale and refining industry over broad global markets.
Conservative investors or those looking for an ESG-focused portfolio, as IEO is entirely dedicated to traditional fossil fuels.
You want to hedge against rising fuel costs or believe domestic energy production will outperform renewable energy in the short-to-medium term.
Tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs are often preferred if you intend to reinvest the quarterly dividends without immediate tax consequences.
IEO vs Similar ETFs
Key metrics comparison.
| ETF | Full Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Holdings | Div Yield | YTD | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IEO ★ | iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF | 0.38% | ~$552M | 49 | 2.1% | 34.22% | Large-Cap E&P Focus |
| XOP | SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF | 0.35% | ~$3.8B | ~55 | 2.4% | 31.15% | Equal-Weighted Exposure |
| PXE | Invesco Energy Exploration & Production ETF | 0.61% | ~$180M | ~30 | 1.9% | 32.80% | Dynamic Selection |
| PXJ | Invesco Oil & Gas Services ETF | 0.63% | ~$140M | ~32 | 1.5% | 28.40% | Oilfield Services Niche |
IEO Technical Analysis
Real-time buy/sell signals.
IEO — Risks & Considerations
Commodity Pricing
The profitability of the companies in IEO is directly tied to the market price of crude oil and natural gas, which can be highly volatile.
Geopolitical Tensions
Global conflicts and OPEC decisions can cause sudden, sharp movements in energy equity prices that are outside the fund’s control.
Concentration Risk
Because the top 10 holdings make up three-quarters of the fund, poor performance by a major player like ConocoPhillips will drag down the entire ETF.
Regulatory & Policy Shifts
Legislative changes regarding fracking, offshore drilling, or carbon emissions in the U.S. present a constant headwind for the E&P sector.