Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY)

Occidental Petroleum (OXY) shares surged 4.62% on Thursday as the Energy sector led market gains amid geopolitical tensions. Trump's warnings of potential military action against Iran within 2-3 weeks triggered crude oil prices to spike, with WTI crude jumping 8.2% to $108.36/barrel and Brent crude rising 8% to $109.16. The IEA warned of deepening supply shocks, with 12 million barrels per day already lost. OXY outperformed its energy peers with a 4.42% gain versus the sector's 2.27%, supported by bullish technical indicators including a golden cross and uptrend structure.

Benzinga•Lekha Gupta

Apr 2

U.S. markets rallied on April 1, 2026, driven by easing Iran war concerns and falling oil prices. The S&P 500 rose 0.72%, Nasdaq climbed 1.16%, and the Dow added 0.48%. Semiconductor stocks surged while energy stocks declined sharply. Nike tumbled 15% on disappointing earnings, while Eli Lilly jumped on FDA approval of its obesity pill. Despite today's gains, the S&P 500 remains down 4% year-to-date.

The Motley Fool•Emma Newbery

Apr 1

Bab el-Mandeb, a critical strait connecting the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea, has become an increasingly important oil chokepoint following Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have previously disrupted tanker traffic in the region and could do so again, potentially sending crude prices to $150-$200+ per barrel if both major chokepoints close simultaneously. U.S. oil producers with limited Persian Gulf exposure would benefit from such price increases.

The Motley Fool•Matt Dilallo

Apr 1

Stocks surged on ceasefire optimism between the U.S. and Iran, with the S&P 500 up 2% and Nasdaq up 3%. However, CNBC's Michelle Caruso-Cabrera argues the ceasefire hopes may be misleading, citing leadership uncertainty in Iran and incomplete U.S. military objectives. Prediction markets suggest the conflict will likely extend beyond April, with only 39% odds of a ceasefire by month-end.

Benzinga•Daragh Thomas

Mar 31

With the Strait of Hormuz closed and Middle Eastern oil supplies disrupted, concerns about a 1973-style oil embargo have emerged. However, current oil price increases are far less severe than the 1973 crisis, and the global economy is better positioned to handle energy shocks due to increased renewable energy adoption, improved efficiency, and reduced Middle East dependence. North American energy producers are recommended as portfolio hedges against further oil price increases.

The Motley Fool•Brett Schafer

Mar 31

Oil prices have surged over 70% this year due to the Iran conflict, with Brent crude exceeding $100 a barrel. Energy stocks have rallied accordingly, with analyst Matt DiLallo predicting that Occidental Petroleum and Diamondback Energy could double in 2026 if the conflict escalates further. Both companies are positioned to generate substantial free cash flow at elevated oil prices, which they can deploy for debt reduction, share buybacks, and shareholder returns.

The Motley Fool•Matt Dilallo

Mar 30

Warren Buffett's strategic investments in Occidental Petroleum (27% stake) and Chevron (6.5% stake) are paying off as crude prices surge due to the Iran conflict. Both companies have restructured their portfolios to thrive at lower oil prices while generating substantial free cash flow at current elevated prices, validating Buffett's investment thesis.

The Motley Fool•Matt Dilallo

Mar 29

Elon Musk announced Terafab, a $25 billion joint venture between Tesla, SpaceX, and XAI to build a vertically integrated semiconductor factory producing 1 terawatt of AI computing power annually. The facility aims to address supply chain bottlenecks and support Tesla's robotaxi and humanoid robot ambitions, plus SpaceX's orbital AI satellite constellation. While ambitious, industry experts question feasibility given the complexity of chip fabrication and Musk's mixed track record on delivery timelines.

The Motley Fool•Motley Fool Staff

Mar 27

With oil prices elevated above $100 per barrel due to geopolitical tensions and the Strait of Hormuz closure, Occidental Petroleum and Chevron are positioned as inflation hedges. Both companies have limited Middle East exposure and significant North American operations, making them attractive if oil prices remain high throughout 2026.

The Motley Fool•Brett Schafer

Mar 26

Warren Buffett and successor Greg Abel have spent $78 billion repurchasing Berkshire Hathaway's own stock since July 2018, more than the combined spending on Apple, Chevron, Bank of America, and Occidental Petroleum. The buyback program, which resumed in March 2026 after a 21-month hiatus, has reduced outstanding shares by 12.6% and is designed to increase earnings per share and attract long-term investors.

The Motley Fool•Sean Williams

Mar 26