Schwab U.S. Dividend ETF Thrives Amid Oil Surge
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 21 2026
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Oil Price Surge Fuels ETF Returns: The Schwab U.S. Dividend ETF has thrived in early 2026 with nearly a 15% return, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's less than 1% rise, primarily driven by a 15% increase in Brent crude prices to over $70 per barrel, showcasing the strength of energy stocks.
- Attractive High Dividend Yield: The ETF offers a current yield of 3.5% and holds several high-quality oil stocks, including Chevron and ConocoPhillips, which account for 4.21% and 4.19% of its assets respectively, making it appealing to dividend investors.
- Strong Dividend Growth Potential: Chevron recently raised its dividend by 4%, extending its growth streak to 39 consecutive years with a 6% annual growth rate, while ConocoPhillips increased its dividend by 8% last year, indicating both companies' capacity to continue raising dividends in the future.
- Strategic Energy Stock Allocation: With a high sector weighting of 19.9% in energy stocks, the Schwab U.S. Dividend ETF faced challenges last year due to falling oil prices, but the current oil market rebound has provided substantial returns for investors, suggesting continued growth for the ETF ahead.
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Analyst Views on CVX
Wall Street analysts forecast CVX stock price to fall
19 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 189.600
Low
158.00
Averages
176.95
High
206.00
Current: 189.600
Low
158.00
Averages
176.95
High
206.00
About CVX
Chevron Corporation is an integrated energy company. The Company produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance its business and industry. The Company’s segments include Upstream and Downstream. Upstream operations consist primarily of exploring for, developing, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation and regasification associated with LNG; transporting crude oil by major international oil export pipelines; processing, transporting, storage and marketing of natural gas; carbon capture and storage; and a gas-to-liquids plant. Downstream operations consist primarily of the refining of crude oil into petroleum products; marketing crude oil, refined products, and lubricants; manufacturing and marketing of renewable fuels, and transporting of crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment and rail car.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Short-Term Bond Fluctuations: The 2-year Treasury yield also climbed 2 basis points to 3.52%, reflecting investor caution regarding short-term economic outlook amid ongoing Middle East tensions.
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- Economic Data Expectations: Investors are closely watching the upcoming ADP private payroll report, with forecasts predicting an addition of 48,000 jobs in February, a significant increase from January's 22,000, which could bolster confidence in economic recovery.
See More
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- Insurance Support: The U.S. Development Finance Corporation will provide insurance for crude carriers and cargo ships operating in the Gulf, a move designed to mitigate transportation risks arising from escalating conflicts with Iran, thereby safeguarding maritime trade.
- Price Volatility: U.S. crude prices surged 11% this week to $74.62 per barrel, with a total gain of 30% in 2026, as fears mount that prolonged disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could push prices above $100 per barrel if the strait is closed.
- Market Supply Stability: Bessent emphasized that despite rising tensions in the Middle East, oil markets are well supplied, and the U.S. is in a stronger position than during the early stages of the Ukraine war, citing record domestic oil and natural gas production and its growing role as a major exporter.
See More
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- Energy Stocks Decline: Energy stocks experienced a drop early Wednesday due to market reactions to geopolitical developments.
- Iran-U.S. Communication: A report indicated that Iranian intelligence officials reached out to their American counterparts to discuss potential terms for ending ongoing conflicts.
See More
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- Benign Market Reaction: Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon remarked at the World Economic Forum that the financial markets have shown a surprisingly benign reaction to the ongoing Iran war, which has entered its fifth day, indicating that investor concerns may be less severe than anticipated.
- Increased Stock Volatility: U.S. stock markets have experienced heightened volatility, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.83%, the S&P 500 slipping 0.94%, and the Nasdaq Composite shedding 1.02% on Tuesday, reflecting the market's sensitivity to geopolitical risks.
- Rising Treasury Yields: Contrary to typical safe-haven behavior, U.S. Treasury yields are rising as investors worry about inflationary pressures from higher energy prices, leading to falling bond prices and increasing yields, which underscores the uncertainty surrounding future economic conditions.
- Oil Price Fluctuation Risks: International benchmark Brent crude futures rose 2.7% to $83.58 per barrel, with energy strategists warning that prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz could push oil prices above $100 per barrel, further exacerbating global economic instability.
See More
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- Oil Price Surge Impact: Following U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran, Brent crude prices rose 1.6% to $82.76 per barrel, marking the highest level since January 2025, which will exacerbate global inflationary pressures and compel central banks to reassess their interest rate strategies.
- Central Bank Policy Dilemma: As tensions in the Middle East escalate, the European Central Bank faces a 'genuine dilemma' where rising oil prices could push already sticky inflation higher while economic growth outlook weakens due to U.S. tariffs, prompting officials to respond cautiously to energy price fluctuations.
- Asian Economic Vulnerability: Goldman Sachs estimates that a six-week closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with oil prices jumping from $70 to $85, could raise regional inflation in Asia by about 0.7 percentage points, with the Philippines and Thailand being the most vulnerable, potentially leading to a pause in rate cuts by their central banks.
- Fiscal Policy to Combat Inflation: Nomura anticipates that Asian countries will utilize fiscal policy as the first line of defense against inflation, potentially implementing price controls and increased subsidies, but this could exacerbate existing fiscal budget deficits, creating a policy dilemma for governments.
See More
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- Surge in Oil Prices: The escalation of the U.S. and Israel's conflict with Iran has led to a nearly 30% increase in crude oil prices, making the energy sector the top-performing area this year and significantly boosting investor confidence in the sector.
- Strong Performance of Major Oil Companies: Due to geopolitical risks, stocks of large integrated oil companies like Chevron and Exxon Mobil have reached 52-week highs, demonstrating their robust competitiveness in the global oil and gas supply chain.
- Optimistic Outlook for TechnipFMC: As a leading manufacturer in the energy sector, TechnipFMC benefits from increased capital spending driven by rising oil prices, with its stock trading near a 52-week high and projected EPS growth of 14% this year, reaching $3.34 by 2027.
- Investor Shift to Energy: Amid heightened market volatility, investors are flocking to the energy sector for defensive investments, highlighting the relative safety and strong fundamentals of the industry in the current economic environment.
See More
