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Fragile U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Leaves Strait of Hormuz Blocked, Oil Back Above $100

A two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran sparked a historic rally on Wednesday, but optimism faded Thursday as Iran continued restricting tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing WTI crude back above $100 per barrel and sending equities lower after the prior session's surge.

Energy Crisis Deepens: Hormuz Blockade Removes Nearly One Billion Barrels From Global Supply as Gasoline Hits $4.11

The ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has removed nearly one billion barrels of oil equivalent from global supply according to TD Securities estimates, as WTI crude climbed to $112.41 per barrel Tuesday. National average gasoline prices reached $4.11 per gallon — 38% above pre-war levels — while the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas warned a sustained closure could shave 2.9% from quarterly U.S. GDP. Goldman Sachs forecasts WTI could reach $130 if the Strait remains shut through month-end.

OPEC+ Reaffirms Output Cuts Through Q2 2026, Keeping Oil Markets Tight

OPEC+ ministers reaffirmed their collective output reduction strategy through the end of Q2 2026, citing persistent demand uncertainty from China and the potential impact of U.S. tariff policy on global trade flows. Brent crude held above $76 per barrel following the announcement, supporting energy sector equities across integrated majors and upstream producers.

Oil Holds Near $118 as Hormuz Risk Fully Priced — Energy Rotation Into Integrated Majors Begins

Brent crude stabilized near $118 per barrel Wednesday as analysts concluded the Persian Gulf risk premium is now fully priced absent a direct Hormuz attack. Rotation within the energy sector accelerated as investors moved from high-beta E&P names into diversified integrated majors and midstream companies offering more defensive earnings profiles.

Brent Crude Breaks $121 as Third U.S. Carrier Strike Group Enters Persian Gulf; OPEC+ Maintains Output Freeze

Brent crude broke above $121 per barrel for the first time since 2022 as the Pentagon confirmed a third carrier strike group entering the Persian Gulf, while OPEC+ ministers meeting in Vienna reaffirmed their production freeze through at least June, removing any prospect of supply relief and pushing Goldman Sachs to raise its 90-day Brent target to $130.

Energy Sector Posts Third Consecutive Weekly Gain as XOM and CVX Hit Multi-Year Highs on $118 Oil

The energy sector extended its remarkable 2026 outperformance on Friday with a third consecutive weekly gain as Exxon Mobil and Chevron closed at their highest levels in nearly two years, ONEOK surged an additional 2.3% on a bullish throughput update, and the XLE ETF is now up approximately 34% year-to-date in stark contrast to the S&P 500's double-digit year-to-date loss.

Brent Crude Tops $92 as Iran-Strait of Hormuz Crisis Deepens, Oil Stocks Surge

Global oil benchmark Brent crude surged past $92 per barrel on Friday as the widening U.S.-Iran war has effectively halted commercial tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, threatening roughly 20% of global daily oil consumption. Energy stocks are the sole bright spot in an otherwise battered U.S. equity market, with Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and Occidental Petroleum posting strong gains as analysts warn of $100-to-$150 oil scenarios.

Dow Surpasses 49,000 as Wall Street Hits Fresh Record Highs in Early 2026 Rally

U.S. equity markets surged to start the new year, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing above 49,000 for the first time. Broad-based gains in industrials and health care helped the S&P 500 set a new record, even as energy sectors lagged.