Oil and gas stocks have kicked off the new year on a bright note, with the S&P 500 Energy Sector notching a 6.8% gain in the year-to-date, the third-best sector performance behind only Industrials (7.6%) and Materials (7.2%). The strong start comes despite the sector facing pressure from ample supply, but getting a boost from ongoing geopolitical pressures. Brent prices have increased from $59.96 per barrel two weeks ago to $64.15 on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday as Iran tensions increase market jitters. U.S. President Donald Trump has…