Oil Prices Climb Due to U.S.-Iran Strain; These Stocks Are Benefiting.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 19 2026
0mins
Source: Barron's
- Oil Price Increase: Oil prices were rising early on Thursday due to market speculation.
- Investor Focus: Investors are particularly attentive to potential U.S. actions against Iran.
- Impact on Energy Stocks: The rising oil prices are positively influencing energy stocks.
- Market Sentiment: Overall market sentiment is being shaped by geopolitical tensions related to Iran.
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Analyst Views on XOM
Wall Street analysts forecast XOM stock price to fall
19 Analyst Rating
12 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 154.220
Low
114.00
Averages
132.17
High
158.00
Current: 154.220
Low
114.00
Averages
132.17
High
158.00
About XOM
Exxon Mobil Corporation is an energy provider and chemical manufacturer. The Company’s principal business involves exploration for, and production of, crude oil and natural gas; the manufacture, trade, transport and sale of crude oil, natural gas, petroleum products, petrochemicals and a wide variety of specialty products; and pursuit of lower-emission and other new business opportunities, including carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, lower-emission fuels, Proxxima systems, carbon materials, and lithium. Its Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. The Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments manufacture and sell petroleum products and petrochemicals. Energy Products segment includes fuels, aromatics, and catalysts and licensing. Chemical Products segment consists of olefins, polyolefins, and intermediates. Specialty Products segment includes finished lubricants, basestocks and waxes, synthetics, and elastomers and resins.
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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- Inflationary Risks Intensified: Rising oil prices are likely to drive overall inflation, particularly impacting costs in sectors like trucking and plastics, which may reduce consumer purchasing power and subsequently affect sales and corporate profits.
- Federal Reserve Policy Considerations: The increase in oil prices complicates the Federal Reserve's decision-making environment regarding interest rates, as inflationary pressures mount, even though the core PCE index excludes volatile food and energy costs, the indirect effects remain significant.
- Market Dynamics in Flux: The fluctuations in oil prices are closely tied to stock market performance, with WTI crude reaching $77.98 on Tuesday before retreating to around $74, indicating the market's sensitivity to oil price movements, necessitating a calm and discerning approach from investors amid uncertainty.
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AI Trade Vulnerability: The situation poses particular challenges for the previously thriving artificial intelligence sector.
Investment Climate: Overall, it is becoming increasingly difficult for investors to find safe investment opportunities amid these uncertainties.
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- Supply Chain Risks: Russia exports approximately 7 million barrels of oil daily, while 20 million barrels transit the Strait of Hormuz each day; the current geopolitical tensions could further impact global supply chains, increasing market uncertainty.
- Cautious Market Reaction: The S&P 500 was flat on Monday, reflecting a defensive market stance compared to the 2% gain on the day of the Ukraine invasion, indicating investor concerns about future market volatility.
- Gold and Dollar Movements: Gold prices rose on Monday while the dollar strengthened against G10 and emerging market currencies, reflecting a risk-off sentiment in the market as investors reassess asset allocations in light of geopolitical conflicts.
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- Oil Price Surge Impact: Following the U.S. strike on Iran, crude oil prices soared, raising concerns about future supplies, especially as Iran vowed to block the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
- Economic Growth Risks: Deutsche Bank analysts warn that a significant spike in oil prices could dampen economic growth and derail market recovery, particularly if oil prices rise by 50% to 100% and remain elevated for several months, potentially leading to a more than 15% decline in the S&P 500.
- Market Volatility Opportunity: Despite dramatic fluctuations in the S&P 500, some Wall Street experts view this as an entry point for investors, with BTIG's chief market technician suggesting that sharp geopolitical moves are typically not durable, presenting tactical buying opportunities instead.
See More
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- Market Turmoil Intensifies: South Korea's Kospi index fell 7.24% on Wednesday, extending its worst performance in 19 months, indicating severe investor sentiment impact due to escalating Middle East conflict.
- China's Policy Meeting in Focus: China's
See More
Exxon Mobil Plans to Return to Venezuela with New Investment Terms
- Technical Team Deployment: Exxon Mobil (XOM) plans to send a technical team to Venezuela in a few weeks after finalizing logistical and security arrangements, indicating the company's interest in returning if favorable investment terms are established.
- Resource Familiarity: Senior VP Jack Williams noted that the company is well-acquainted with Venezuela's resources, having had a successful operation there in 2007, which suggests a strategic advantage for potential re-entry.
- Technological Advancements: Williams mentioned that since leaving Venezuela, Exxon has significantly improved its technology for heavy oil resources, indicating that the company could achieve better operational efficiency than before with its enhanced technological toolkit.
- Global Asset Strategy: Williams highlighted that Exxon's extensive global assets and operations provide a buffer against operational disruptions from conflicts in the Middle East, ensuring the company can optimize resource allocation in response to market dynamics.
See More
Oil Price Fluctuations Have Far-Reaching Economic Impacts
- Profit Pressure from Oil Prices: Recent oil price increases of over 10% in just two days are expected to exert direct pressure on profit margins, as companies struggle to pass costs onto consumers, potentially leading to declines in stock prices.
- Inflationary Risks Intensified: Rising oil prices are likely to drive overall inflation, particularly impacting costs in sectors like trucking and plastics, which may reduce consumer purchasing power and subsequently affect sales and corporate profits.
- Federal Reserve Policy Considerations: The increase in oil prices complicates the Federal Reserve's decision-making environment regarding interest rates, as inflationary pressures mount, even though the core PCE index excludes volatile food and energy costs, the indirect effects remain significant.
- Market Dynamics in Flux: The fluctuations in oil prices are closely tied to stock market performance, with WTI crude reaching $77.98 on Tuesday before retreating to around $74, indicating the market's sensitivity to oil price movements, necessitating a calm and discerning approach from investors amid uncertainty.
See More
Strategies for Navigating a Volatile Market Amid Rising Oil Prices and Falling Stocks
Market Concerns: The markets are experiencing a downturn due to escalating fears of a prolonged conflict in Iran.
Oil Price Impact: Investors are worried that rising oil prices could negatively affect the global economy and reignite inflation fears.
AI Trade Vulnerability: The situation poses particular challenges for the previously thriving artificial intelligence sector.
Investment Climate: Overall, it is becoming increasingly difficult for investors to find safe investment opportunities amid these uncertainties.
See More
Oil Price Surge Sparks Market Concerns
- Oil Price Surge: Brooks highlighted that Brent crude surged over 7% on Monday, more than three times the 2% increase seen on the day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, indicating heightened market sensitivity to supply risks that could lead to rising energy costs in the future.
- Supply Chain Risks: Russia exports approximately 7 million barrels of oil daily, while 20 million barrels transit the Strait of Hormuz each day; the current geopolitical tensions could further impact global supply chains, increasing market uncertainty.
- Cautious Market Reaction: The S&P 500 was flat on Monday, reflecting a defensive market stance compared to the 2% gain on the day of the Ukraine invasion, indicating investor concerns about future market volatility.
- Gold and Dollar Movements: Gold prices rose on Monday while the dollar strengthened against G10 and emerging market currencies, reflecting a risk-off sentiment in the market as investors reassess asset allocations in light of geopolitical conflicts.
See More
Investors Cautious Amid U.S.-Iran Conflict
- Market Reaction Observation: As the U.S.-Iran conflict escalates, investors question the old adage of 'buying cannons and selling trumpets', with Deutsche Bank analysts noting that while geopolitical events typically don't cause sustained market reactions, the situation in Iran may impact markets through macro channels.
- Oil Price Surge Impact: Following the U.S. strike on Iran, crude oil prices soared, raising concerns about future supplies, especially as Iran vowed to block the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
- Economic Growth Risks: Deutsche Bank analysts warn that a significant spike in oil prices could dampen economic growth and derail market recovery, particularly if oil prices rise by 50% to 100% and remain elevated for several months, potentially leading to a more than 15% decline in the S&P 500.
- Market Volatility Opportunity: Despite dramatic fluctuations in the S&P 500, some Wall Street experts view this as an entry point for investors, with BTIG's chief market technician suggesting that sharp geopolitical moves are typically not durable, presenting tactical buying opportunities instead.
See More
