WTI crude surged from roughly $65/barrel in February 2026 to a peak of $98.48 on March 13, and Brent crossed $100/barrel for the first time in years as Iran conflict fears escalated.
Source: https://247wallst.com/investing/2026/03/20/5-stocks-wall-str…
The S&P 500 experienced sharp swings in 2025 due to shifts in trade policy, AI speculation, and rate cuts, while corporate profits remained resilient. Broader AI adoption and steady economic growth are expected to drive double-digit earnings growth in the S&P 500 in 2026. Tech is expected to dominate earnings growth again next year, but more sectors are projected to contribute.
A massive backlog of maintenance and software contracts will ensure recurring revenue.
The escalating US-Iran war has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, turning the Strait of Hormuz into a volatile chokehold. With about one-fifth of the world’s petroleum liquids at risk, Brent crude futures recently soared 24% in a single day– the most dramatic surge since the 2020 pandemic lockdowns.
