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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.

Oil Rockets 10% as President Trump Issues Direct Military Warning to Iran — WTI Hits $110 Per Barrel

WTI crude futures surged more than 10% to $110.21 per barrel Thursday after President Trump issued a direct public warning of military action against Iran within two to three weeks, sending energy stocks sharply higher and triggering a wave of defensive positioning across airlines, shipping companies, and consumer-facing businesses with significant fuel-cost exposure.

Q1 2026 Earnings Season Kicks Off — JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs Set to Report as Banks Navigate Tariff and Rate Uncertainty

Q1 2026 earnings season officially begins this week with major banks leading the charge, and Friday's blockbuster March jobs report — 178,000 payrolls added against a 51,000 consensus — has substantially improved the setup for financial sector results, even as the broader market navigates 15% global tariffs, $110 oil, and Moody's 49% recession probability estimate.

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.

Major Banks Announce Expanded Share Buyback Programs Ahead of Q1 2026 Earnings

JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America each disclosed expanded share repurchase authorizations ahead of Q1 2026 earnings season, signaling confidence in capital positions and near-term earnings power. The announcements come as robust trading revenues and resilient net interest income support a broadly bullish bank sector outlook.

Bitcoin Surges to $92,000 as Spot ETF Inflows Hit $890M Single-Day Record on Stagflation Fears

Bitcoin surged to $92,000 Wednesday as a record $890 million of single-day inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs reinforced the cryptocurrency's role as a liquid stagflation hedge. The catalyst was paradoxically Powell's hawkish Peterson Institute speech, which confirmed the stagflation scenario driving institutional allocators toward hard assets.

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.

Pentagon Sends USS Boxer and 2,500 More Marines to Persian Gulf as Iran Escalation Deepens; Oil Resumes Climb

The Pentagon on Friday approved the deployment of the USS Boxer amphibious ready group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit — comprising roughly 2,500 Marines and three additional warships — to U.S. Central Command, marking the second major marine deployment in a week and bringing total American personnel in the Middle East to approximately 50,000. The development, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, accelerated an already weak stock market selloff and pushed Brent crude back toward $110 as Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions showed no signs of easing.