The Hot Stock: Southwestern Energy Soars as Energy Flies

Energy stocks continued their strong performance following Opec's potential agreement to limit oil production --and no energy stock in the S&P 500 was stronger today than Southwestern Energy ( SWN ). Southwestern jumped 4.8% to $13.84 today, easily topping the S&P 500's 0.8% rise to 2,168.27, and the Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF's ( XLE ) 1.4% gain to $70.61. Southwestern Energy drills primarily for natural gas, not oil, but Opec's agreement, if put into action, should lift all boats. Evercore ISI's James West and team write that the Algier's framework "is a big step forward." They explain why: