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Intel Corp. engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of computer products and technologies. It delivers computer, networking, data storage, and communications platforms. The firm operates through the following segments: Client Computing Group (CCG), Data Center and AI (DCAI), Intel Foundry Services (IFS), and All Other. The CCG segment consists of platforms designed for notebooks, 2-in-1 systems, desktops, tablets, phones, wireless and wired connectivity products, and mobile communication components. The DCAI segment delivers solutions to cloud service providers and enterprise customers, along with silicon devices for communications service providers and high-performance computing customers. The IFS segment refers to full stack solutions created from the foundry industry ecosystem. The All Other segment represents results from other non-reportable segments and corporate-related charges. The company was founded by Robert Norton Noyce and Gordon Earle Moore on July 18, 1968, and is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA.

Intel Corp.

Intel Corp

Intel is currently trending as a massive momentum play, fueled by community excitement over speculative partnerships and high-profile political endorsements. Investors are intensely debating whether the stock's parabolic climb represents a sustainable re-rating of its foundry and AI potential or a volatile bubble prone to a sharp correction.

Meta Platforms, Inc. engages in the development of social media applications. It builds technology that helps people connect and share, find communities, and grow businesses. It operates through the Family of Apps (FoA) and Reality Labs (RL) segments. The FoA segment consists of Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and other services. The RL segment includes augmented, mixed and virtual reality related consumer hardware, software, and content. The company was founded by Mark Elliot Zuckerberg, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris R. Hughes, Andrew McCollum, and Eduardo P. Saverin on February 4, 2004, and is headquartered in Menlo Park, CA.

Meta Platforms Inc - Ordinary Shares - Class A

Meta Platforms Inc

Meta is facing investor pressure following a quarterly report that beat estimates but revealed a significant increase in capital expenditure guidance for AI infrastructure. While the community is divided between those selling due to concerns over high spending and those buying the dip as a high-growth investment, discussions are currently centered on whether this massive AI investment will yield long-term returns or remains a drag on near-term margins.

BlackBerry Ltd. engages in the provision of intelligent security software and services. It operates through the following segments: QNX, Secure Communications, and Licensing. The QNX segment includes development of safe and reliable software for embedded systems across technology-driven industries. The Secure Communications segment delivers operational resiliency with a government-grade portfolio of secure, certified solutions for mobile fortification, critical communications and crisis management. The Licensing segment focuses on management and monetization of the firm's global patent portfolio. The company was founded by Michael Lazaridis, James Laurence Balsillie, and Douglas E. Fregin on March 7, 1984 and is headquartered in Waterloo, Canada.

BlackBerry Ltd

BlackBerry is experiencing a surge in investor interest driven by its pivotal role in the 'Physical AI' sector, particularly through deepening technical partnerships with NVIDIA and its QNX operating system's dominance in safety-critical automotive and industrial applications. Community discussion is heavily focused on signs of institutional accumulation and the potential for a breakout, as investors look for the company to capitalize on its shift toward secure software and recurring revenue models.

Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational technology company, which engages in the provision of online retail shopping services. It operates through the following segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). The North America segment offers retail sale of consumer products, including from sellers, advertising, and subscriptions services through North America-focused online and physical stores. The International segment focuses on retail sale of consumer products, including sellers, advertising, and subscription services through internationally focused online stores. The AWS segment is composed of global sales of computers, storage, databases, and other services for start-ups, enterprises, government agencies, and academic institutions. The company was founded by Jeffrey P. Bezos in July 1994 and is headquartered in Seattle, WA.

Amazon.com Inc.

Amazon.com Inc

Amazon is in the spotlight as investors await its latest earnings report, with the community closely tracking AWS growth and the company's massive capital expenditure strategy regarding AI infrastructure. While sentiment is largely bullish due to the company's recent record-breaking performance, traders are debating whether the stock is priced for perfection or if ongoing heavy investment will yield long-term gains.

Alphabet, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in software, health care, transportation, and other technologies. It operates through the following segments: Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets. The Google Services segment includes products and services, such as ads, Android, Chrome, devices, Google Maps, Google Play, Search, and YouTube. The Google Cloud segment refers to infrastructure and platform services, collaboration tools, and other services for enterprise customers. The Other Bets segment relates to the sale of healthcare-related services and internet services. The company was founded by Lawrence E. Page and Sergey Mikhaylovich Brin on October 2, 2015 and is headquartered in Mountain View, CA.

Alphabet Inc - Ordinary Shares - Class A

Alphabet Inc Class A

Alphabet is trending as investors aggressively position ahead of next week's highly anticipated earnings report, fueled by a new strategic investment in Anthropic and the company's deepening integration of AI across its cloud and search businesses. The community is focused on Google's massive capital expenditure strategy and whether its cloud growth can sustain its valuation in an increasingly competitive AI infrastructure race.

Microsoft Corp. engages in the development and support of software, services, devices, and solutions. It operates through the following segments: Productivity and Business Processes, Intelligent Cloud, and More Personal Computing. The Productivity and Business Processes segment is composed of products and services relating to productivity, communication, and information services such as Office Commercial, Office Consumer, LinkedIn, and Dynamics business solutions. The Intelligent Cloud segment consists of public, private, and hybrid server products and cloud services for businesses and developers, as well as enterprise and partner services. The More Personal Computing segment refers to products and services including Windows operating system, Windows cloud services, Surface, HoloLens, personal computer accessories, Xbox hardware, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft News, and Microsoft Edge. The company was founded by Paul Gardner Allen and William Henry Gates, III in 1975 and is headquartered in Redmond, WA.

Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Corp

Microsoft is facing volatile price action after posting a beat on top and bottom lines, with investors intensely focused on whether massive AI-driven capital expenditure is a strategic necessity or a margin headwind. The community remains divided, with bulls highlighting robust Azure cloud growth while bears argue the valuation remains extended and vulnerable to negative analyst sentiment.

Bloom Energy Corp. engages in the manufacture and installation of a solid oxide fuel-cell based power generation platform. Its product, Bloom Energy Server, converts standard low-pressure natural gas or biogas into electricity through an electrochemical process without combustion. The company was founded by K. R. Sridhar, John Finn, Jim McElroy, Matthias Gottmann, and Dien Nguyen on January 18, 2001, and is headquartered in San Jose, CA.

Bloom Energy Corp - Ordinary Shares - Class A

Bloom Energy Corp

Bloom Energy is seeing significant investor enthusiasm as it emerges as a critical infrastructure provider for AI data centers, with community members closely tracking its potential for massive expansion alongside major hyperscalers like Oracle. Discussion is currently dominated by anticipation of upcoming earnings, with many users debating whether the stock's parabolic move is supported by long-term fundamental shifts in energy demand or if it faces a potential pullback due to rapid valuation increases.

Alphabet Inc - Ordinary Shares - Class C

Alphabet is trending as investors digest aggressive capital expenditure plans and successful earnings beats, fueling a broader community debate about the long-term sustainability of AI infrastructure spending versus near-term revenue growth. Investors are actively discussing the company's cloud growth and its strategic positioning in the competitive AI landscape through partnerships and custom hardware development.

Super Micro Computer, Inc. engages in the distribution and manufacture of information technology solutions and other computer products. Its products include twin solutions, MP servers, GPU and coprocessor, MicroCloud, AMD solutions, power supplies, SuperServer, storage, motherboards, chassis, super workstations, accessories, SuperRack and server management products. The company was founded by Charles Liang, Yih-Shyan Liaw, Sara Liu, and Chiu-Chu Liu Liang in September 1993 and is headquartered in San Jose, CA.

Super Micro Computer Inc

Super Micro Computer remains a focal point for investors as the community debates the stock's massive volatility and potential recovery ahead of earnings. Market participants are intensely focused on the company's aggressive hiring and global facility expansion, balancing these growth indicators against persistent concerns regarding leadership governance and historical regulatory scrutiny.

FuelCell Energy, Inc. engages in the business of developing, designing, producing, constructing, and servicing high temperature fuel cells for clean electric power generation. It operates through the following geographical segments: the United States, South Korea, and Europe. The company was founded by Bernard Baker and Martin G. Klein in 1969 and is headquartered in Danbury, CT.

Fuelcell Energy Inc

FuelCell Energy shares are rallying on strong sector-wide momentum driven by Bloom Energy's recent earnings beat and surging institutional interest in fuel cell solutions for the AI data center energy bottleneck. While shareholders remain focused on long-awaited contract conversions and the potential for a larger sector re-rating, active community discussion is highlighting intense option flow and debates over the stock's historical dilution compared to its current data center pipeline.

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<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>The decision follows a review of the country’s production policy and capacity outlook, according to a statement on Tuesday.</li><li>The U.A.E. said it will raise oil production gradually in line with market demand.&nbsp;</li><li>The country had reportedly criticized Arab states for failing to provide adequate support and protection against repeated Iranian attacks.</li></ul>The United Arab Emirates has announced its exit from the&nbsp;Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC and OPEC+) on Tuesday, in what could be a seismic shift for global energy markets, which have been under intense pressure since the Middle East conflict began late February.The exit will be effective May 1, 2026. The move underscores the U.A.E.’s long-term economic strategy and shifting energy priorities, including increased investment in domestic production, according to a <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.wam.ae/a/bzxzuh7">statement</a>.&nbsp;The decision follows a review of the country’s production policy and capacity outlook.<h2 class="st-heading-2">End Of A Near Sixty-Year Partnership</h2>The move effectively ends a partnership spanning nearly six decades. The United Arab Emirates joined OPEC in 1967, seven years after the group was founded in Baghdad by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. After the U.A.E.’s exit, the organization will be down to 11 member nations.The country said it will raise oil production gradually in line with market demand while continuing to work with partners to develop its resources and support growth. It added that the move does not change its commitment to global market stability or cooperation with producers and consumers.&nbsp;<h2 class="st-heading-2">UAE Criticizes Arab States Amid Iran Shelling</h2>According to a Reuters&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/uae-says-it-quits-opec-opec-statement-2026-04-28/">report</a> on Tuesday, the stunning decision followed mounting frustration from the country, a key regional business hub and a close ally of the U.S., which criticized Arab states for failing to provide adequate support and protection against repeated Iranian attacks during the conflict.On Monday, Anwar Gargash, an adviser to the U.A.E. president&nbsp;Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, criticized how Arab and Gulf countries responded to the Iranian attacks during a session at the Gulf Influencers Forum.“The Gulf Cooperation Council countries supported each other logistically, but politically and militarily, I think their position has been the weakest ⁠historically. I expect this weak stance from the ​Arab League, and I am not surprised by it, but I haven't expected it from the (Gulf) ​Cooperation Council, and I am surprised by it,” Gargash reportedly said.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Brent Crude Climbs Higher</h2>Brent Oil Futures for July 2026 deliveries were up around 3% at $104.65 per barrel at the time of writing.Brent crude prices have shot up more than 45% since the conflict began on Feb. 28, 2026, primarily due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil corridor that handles nearly 20% of the global crude supply.&nbsp;At the time of writing, the United States Oil Fund (USO) gained 2.9%, the ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (UCO) climbed 2.4% higher, while Invesco DB Oil Fund (DBO) rose around 2%.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

OPEC logo is displayed on a mobile phone screen for illustration photo. Krakow, Poland on February 2nd, 2023.

UAE To Exit OPEC, OPEC+ In Historic Move Amid Middle East Conflict

The United Arab Emirates announced its exit from OPEC and OPEC+ on Tuesday, ending a near six decade alliance.

UAE Breaks From OPEC Alliance In Rare Rift Amid Iran Tensions, Sending Crude Higher

Equity

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>The veteran investor believes the physical markets are on the right track.&nbsp;</li><li>When paper oil prices catch up to physical prices, the repricing will be violent, according to Noble.&nbsp;</li><li>Meanwhile, oil prices have been swinging wildly amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.</li></ul>As markets grapple with uncertainty about the outcome of the war in Iran and its impact on global energy prices, a former associate of legendary investor Peter Lynch is betting on energy stocks.“Energy stocks remain the most asymmetric trade in this market,” said George Noble, a hedge fund veteran and former Fidelity fund manager, in a <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/gnoble79/status/2046603397533511746">post</a> on X on late Tuesday.The investor highlighted the pricing difference between physical oil markets (spot oil, tanker bookings, actual delivery) and paper markets (futures contracts, options, financial instruments), saying that while the former was pricing in a war, the latter was pricing in a peace deal. “One of them is WRONG,” Noble said.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Noble Backs This Indicator</h2>The veteran investor believes the physical markets are on the right track. To back his claim, Noble pointed out that 230 loaded oil tankers were stuck in the Persian Gulf amid the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic had dropped by over 90%.He noted that normally 15 to 20 million barrels per day flowed through the critical waterway, but at present, alternatives via Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline can only handle about 9 million barrels per day, creating a massive gap with no real workaround.“You cannot close a gap that large with infrastructure that doesn't exist,” he said. “You cannot load 15 million barrels per day onto trucks. There is no land bridge for hydrocarbons. The pipelines are maxed. The tankers are parked,” he added.Noble also said that two separate battles were unfolding now — one the global supply chain has already adapted to, and another it simply can’t. Yet paper oil markets were trading as if that divide didn’t exist, he said.Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the U.S. was extending a ceasefire with Iran, although the blockage of Iranian ports would continue.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Wild Market Swings</h2>Oil prices have been swinging sharply, spiking on any hints of escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran, while pulling back on signs of renewed negotiations or ceasefire announcements. Energy stocks have been tracking the wild oscillations.The <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/uso">United States Oil Fund</a> (USO), an exchange-traded fund that tracks the daily price changes of West Texas Intermediate, has been whipsawing in tandem.<figure class="image"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/koyfin_20260422_100526996_png_4aaa028a13.webp" alt="koyfin_20260422_100526996.png" width="2400" height="1240"><figcaption>Source: Koyfin</figcaption></figure>Meanwhile, the <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/XLE">State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF</a> (XLE), which tracks American energy companies within the S&amp;P 500, has diverged significantly from the S&amp;P 500 since the start of the war — initially outperforming the benchmark index at the onset of the Hormuz crisis and finally lagging in after signs of a ceasefire and diplomatic breakthroughs.<figure class="image"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/koyfin_20260422_110224623_png_e3a9e341bd.webp" alt="koyfin_20260422_110224623.png" width="2400" height="1500"><figcaption>Source: Koyfin</figcaption></figure>Shares of major energy stocks have also been fluctuating. For instance, <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/batl">Battalion Oil Corp.</a> (BATL) shares surged more than 38% at the close on Tuesday amid soaring crude oil prices, as uncertainty around an expansion of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire lingered. However, after Trump announced an extension late Tuesday, oil prices declined, pulling BATL's stock down by nearly 13% in overnight trading.<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/cvx">Chevron Corp.</a> (CVX) stock, meanwhile, was up 10.78% in the first month after the war, but has since pared most of those gains, declining about 10% so far this month. <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/xom">Exxon Mobil Corp</a>. (XOM) and <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/cop">ConocoPhillips</a> (COP) have also followed similar trajectories.When paper oil prices catch up to physical prices, “the repricing will be VIOLENT,” Noble said.The United States Oil Fund ETF (USO) has gained nearly 86% so far this year, while the P<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/uco">roShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF</a> (UCO) has surged more than 115% in the same time. Retail sentiment around both was in the ‘bearish’ territory on Stocktwits at the time of writing.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Over the past year, BATL surged 253%, EONR climbed 111%, and USO advanced 105%. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Physical Oil Markets Have Already Priced In US-Iran War, But Paper Markets Haven't, Says Veteran Investor: 'Repricing Will Be VIOLENT'

“You cannot close a gap that large with infrastructure that doesn't exist,” says George Noble.

Why Energy Stocks Are The Most Asymmetric Market Trade Right Now: Veteran Investor George Noble Explains

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>The U.S. President added that he does not want to extend the ongoing ceasefire with Iran, while touting the success the U.S. has had with taking out Iran’s navy, air force, as well as the leaders.</li><li>He stated that while it was not his choice to threaten to bomb Iran’s electricity grid and bridges, Iran tried to move its missiles during the ceasefire period through these bridges.</li><li>Trump added that while the blockade of Iranian ports during the ceasefire was a tremendous success, the U.S. caught Iran trying to restock its ammunition during this period.</li></ul>President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned that the U.S. military is raring to go and bomb Iran again, adding that&nbsp;they are prepared to launch another offensive if needed. This comes even as Washington pushes for a peace deal with Tehran.&nbsp;During an interview with CNBC, President Trump added that Iran has no choice but to make a deal with the U.S., while stating that the United States is “going to end up with a great deal” with Iranian negotiators.“I expect to be bombing, because I think that’s the better attitude to go in with… but we’re ready to go, I mean, the military is raring to go. They’re absolutely incredible,” he said.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Trump Says He Doesn’t Want To Extend Ceasefire</h2>President Trump added that he does not want to extend the ongoing ceasefire with Iran, while touting the success the U.S. has had with taking out Iran’s navy, air force, as well as the leaders.“Iran can get themselves at a very good footing if they make a deal. They can make themselves into a strong nation again, a wonderful nation again. They have incredible people,” he said, while criticizing the country’s leadership. Trump called on the Iranian negotiators to use reason and common sense to strike a deal with the U.S.The U.S. President added that he thinks the U.S. is in a very strong negotiating position to do what other presidents should have done in the 47-year period when Iran killed a lot of the soldiers of the United States.“We’ve taken out their leaders, frankly, which does complicate things in one way, but these leaders are much more rational. It is regime change, no matter what you want to call it, which is not something I said I was going to do, but I’ve done it indirectly,” he added.Trump also stated that while it was not his choice to threaten to bomb Iran’s electricity grid and bridges, Iran tried to move its missiles during the ceasefire period through these bridges.Meanwhile, crude oil prices edged lower on Tuesday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures expiring in June were down nearly 1%, hovering around $87 a barrel. Brent crude futures expiring in June fell 1% to hover around $95 a barrel.The&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/USO">United States Oil Fund ETF</a> (USO) edged up by 0.1% at the time of writing, while the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/UCO">ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF</a> (UCO) gained over 1%.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Trump Says US Intercepted A Gift From China</h2>President Trump stated that while the blockade of Iranian ports during the ceasefire was a tremendous success, the U.S. caught Iran trying to restock its ammunition during this period.“We caught a ship yesterday that had some things on it which wasn’t very nice… a gift from China perhaps, I don’t know. But I’m really surprised… very good relationship and I thought I had an understanding with President Xi,” he added.Meanwhile, U.S. equities gained in Tuesday’s opening trade. At the time of writing, the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF</a> (SPY), which tracks the S&amp;P 500 index, was up 0.21%; the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/QQQ">Invesco QQQ Trust ETF</a> (QQQ) rose 0.2%; and the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/DIA">SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust</a> (DIA) gained 0.54%. Retail sentiment on Stocktwits regarding the S&amp;P 500 ETF was in the ‘extremely bullish’ territory.Also See:&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/kevin-warsh-battle-tested-senate-banking-committee-chairman-hearing/cZBI1jiRICu">Kevin Warsh Is 'Battle Tested' And Ready For The Job, Says Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott Ahead Of Confirmation Hearing</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

President Trump Departs Washington Enroute To Miami, Florida. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Trump Warns Military Raring To Go And Bomb Iran Again — Says US Expects To Make A 'Great Deal' With Iranian Negotiators

During an interview with CNBC, President Trump added that Iran has no choice but to make a deal with the U.S.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>Hassett added that the current spike in crude oil prices is not permanent, noting that ample capacity will return to the market once the war in Iran is over.</li><li>He stated that the risk premium will be gone once oil production in the Middle East returns to normalcy after the Strait of Hormuz reopens.</li><li>Hassett also cited the U.S. crude oil production ramp-up as another factor that will help tame energy prices.</li></ul>White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett reportedly downplayed concerns that the war with Iran would push crude oil prices higher for longer.During an interview with CNBC, Hassett said that suppliers are taking advantage of high crude oil prices right now due to the war in Iran, but that won’t be the case in one or two years.“My view is that I think that there has been energy production that has been suppressed by the Iranian behavior in the Middle East and that when that takes off, the long run oil price is going to go down down down,” he said.Hassett’s comments come amid a call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. President Xi stated that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open and that normal passage through the waterway should be maintained.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Hassett Says Oil Price Spike Is Not Permanent</h2>Hassett added that the current spike in crude oil prices is not permanent, noting that ample capacity will return to the market once the war in Iran is over.He stated that the risk premium will be gone once oil production in the Middle East&nbsp;returns to normalcy after the Strait of Hormuz reopens.&nbsp;Oil production in the region is currently down significantly due to the shutdown of several oil fields amid attacks by Iran.According to the latest report from The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), oil production fell 61% in Iraq, 53% in Kuwait, and 44% in the United Arab Emirates in March when compared to February.Hassett also cited the U.S. crude oil production ramp-up as another factor that will help tame energy prices.The NEC director’s comments come amid a 29% rise in U.S. gas prices since the beginning of the Iran war. According to data from AAA Fuel Prices, gas prices are currently hovering around $4.042 per gallon.“In terms of how long it’s going to take to recover, the Saudis still have about two million barrels a day of excess capacity. They can turn the knobs and increase that production, put it in boats and ship it around the global economy… as soon as the strait is opened, they can get going on that,” Hassett said.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Crude Oil Prices On The Boil Again</h2>Crude oil prices rose again on Monday after tumbling on Friday amid growing tensions in the Middle East over the weekend.U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures expiring in June were up nearly 5%, hovering around $86 a barrel. Brent crude futures expiring in June rose about 4% to hover around $94 a barrel.The&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/USO">United States Oil Fund ETF</a> (USO) was up&nbsp;about 4% at the time of writing, while the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/UCO">ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF</a> (UCO) gained over 5%.Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the war must end, adding that the country needs to focus on rebuilding. According to a CNN&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/world/live-news/iran-war-us-trump-israel?post-id=cmo74hq7e00043j6riawgx0b7">report</a>, he stated that every rational and diplomatic path must be used to reduce tensions.“We must recognize that continuing the conflict benefits no one — not us, not the other side, and not the future of the region or coming generations,” he said, according to the report.U.S. equities were mixed in Monday’s opening trade. At the time of writing, the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF</a> (SPY), which tracks the S&amp;P 500 index, was down 0.1%; the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/QQQ">Invesco QQQ Trust ETF</a> (QQQ) fell 0.09%; and the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/DIA">SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust</a> (DIA) edged up by 0.04%. Retail sentiment on Stocktwits regarding the S&amp;P 500 ETF was in the ‘extremely bullish’ territory.Also See:&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/tesla-peg-valuation-gary-black-ahead-q1-earnings-robotaxi-competition/cZBd9tLRIyU">TSLA Valuation Debate Gets Louder Ahead Of Earnings Week: Gary Black Questions ‘Rich’ Multiples</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett speaks to the press after doing a television interview outside the West Wing of the White House.

Hassett Just Said Oil Will Go ‘Down Down Down’ – What’s The Deal?

During an interview with CNBC, the White House National Economic Council Director said that suppliers are taking advantage of high crude oil prices right now due to the war in Iran, but that won’t be the case in one or two years.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>Among the top picks are Conoco Phillips, Halliburton, Permian Resources, and Vistra, all of which pay dividends and have an upside potential of more than 18%, as per the analyst.&nbsp;</li><li>Mehta emphasized a bullish long-term view of oil, stating that Brent crude oil would normalize at $75 per barrel as one of the reasons for his views.</li><li>Cenovus Energy, Ovintiv, and Golar LNG were other dividend-paying energy stocks that made Mehta’s list.</li></ul>Major energy stocks tumbled on Friday, following a steep decline in oil prices after Iran said that the critical Strait of Hormuz would be “completely open” for the rest of the ceasefire period. Yet, the fall could indicate a buying opportunity in many of the dividend-paying energy stocks, Goldman Sachs reportedly said.Among the top picks are Conoco Phillips (COP), Halliburton Co. (HAL), Permian Resources Corp. (PR), and Vistra Corp. (VST), all of which pay dividends and have an upside potential of more than 18%, as per the analyst, <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/17/goldman-says-buy-these-dividend-paying-energy-stocks-with-upside.html">according</a> to CNBC.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Goldman’s Broad Rationale</h2>Goldman Sachs analyst Neil Mehta reportedly said in a note that the picks were based on four themes.First, Mehta emphasized a bullish long-term view of oil, stating that Brent crude oil would normalize at $75 per barrel. At the time of writing, ICE Brent Crude futures expiring in June were trading more than 8% lower at $90.79 per barrel. Meanwhile, WTI Crude futures expiring in May were down more than 10%, trading around $84.62 per barrel.Second, Mehta said that the firm’s views on American exploration and production companies were more positive in light of their valuation risk and reward. Third, the analyst also took a positive stance on electrification and further capital expenditures by utility companies.Finally, the analyst also emphasized underappreciated idiosyncratic stories in some of the small cap energy stocks that had upward potential from their current levels.“We recognize there is significant geopolitical and commodity volatility, but these are ideas that we believe are fundamentally underpinned at our mid-cycle views,” Mehta said, as per CNBC.<h2 class="st-heading-2">View On Energy Stocks</h2>COP stock, which declined more than 4.6% on Friday, is on Goldman’s Americas Conviction List. Mehta said that as the company’s capital spending took off and major projects came online, its shares would benefit from an inflection in free cash flow. When combined with $1 billion in cost reductions, ConocoPhillips would deliver a 20% to 25% free-cash-flow per share compound annual growth rate through 2030, the analyst said.Goldman Sachs has a price target of $144 on COP, which implies an upside potential of about 24% from the current trading price of $115.94. Meanwhile, the company also has a dividend yield of 2.76%.Meanwhile, PR stock, which is down more than 5% at the time of writing, is a win based on execution, Mehta said. The stock has a 3.13% dividend yield. The analyst has a price target of $23 on the stock, indicating an upside potential of more than 18% from its latest trading price of $19.35.Power generation company VST stock gained a bullish rating on attractive fundamentals in its base business. Mehta said that the company had hedged most of its short-term generation, reducing earnings volatility, and bolstering future power prices. The analyst has a $212 price target on the company, indicating an upside potential of nearly 30% compared to its current price of $163.45.Cenovus Energy (CVE), Ovintiv (OVV), and Golar LNG (GLNG) were other dividend-paying energy stocks that made Mehta’s list.Meanwhile, the United States Oil Fund ETF (USO) was down nearly 8% at the time of writing, while the ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF (UCO) tumbled more than 10%.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.Also Read: <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/batl-xom-uso-tank-crude-oil-prices-fall-strait-of-hormuz-open-trump-iran-war/cZJUHTHRIUJ">BATL, XOM, USO Tank As Crude Oil Prices Plunge On Reopening Of Strait Of Hormuz — Trump Says US, Iran Removing All Sea Mines</a>

A crane ship helps other vessels searching for oil and natural gas near the oil platform offshore the Red Sea in Ras Behar region, Egypt.

COP, HAL, PR, VST Stocks Fall Amid Tumbling Oil Prices — Goldman Reportedly Urges Buying The Dip

According to CNBC, Goldman Sachs analyst Neil Mehta provided four broad reasons to buy the dip, apart from individual reasons to buy the dividend-paying stocks. 

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>Major U.S. oil stocks, including Exxon Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and Battalion Oil, declined between 5% to 14% on Friday.</li><li>President Trump stated in a post on Truth Social that Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again.</li><li>U.S. equities soared on Friday following the announcement, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average surging by more than 1,000 points, while the S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite reached new all-time highs.</li></ul>Crude oil prices plummeted on Friday after Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be “completely open” during the remainder of the ceasefire period between the U.S. and Iran.“In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran,” Araghchi stated in a&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/araghchi/status/2045121573124759713">post</a> on X.<figure class="image"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Araghchi_post_jpg_cf48e303b4.webp" alt="Seyed Abbas Araghchi's post on X" width="588" height="222"><figcaption>Seyed Abbas Araghchi's post on X | @araghchi/X</figcaption></figure>U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures expiring in May were down nearly 13%, hovering around $82, the lowest in more than a month. Brent crude futures expiring in June fell about 11% to hover around $88 a barrel.The&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/USO">United States Oil Fund ETF</a> (USO) was down about 11% at the time of writing, while the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/UCO">ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF</a> (UCO) tumbled nearly 14%.Meanwhile, major U.S. oil stocks also followed suit in Friday morning’s trade. Battalion Oil Corp. (BATL) shares were down more than 14%, while Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) fell nearly 6%. Shares of Chevron Corp. (CVX) were down nearly 5%, while ConocoPhillips (COP) fell about 7%.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Trump Says US, Iran Working To Remove Mines</h2>President Trump&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116420484827577347">announced</a> that the U.S. and Iran are working together to remove all sea mines placed by the Middle Eastern country in the Strait of Hormuz, removing a critical threat to vessels passing through the critical waterway.<figure class="image"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Trump_post_2_jpg_b09fd98e88.webp" alt="President Donald Trump's post on Truth Social" width="566" height="171"><figcaption>President Donald Trump's post on Truth Social | @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social</figcaption></figure>Trump also stated in another&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116420562510387829">post</a> on Truth Social that Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again.<figure class="image"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Trump_post_3_jpg_a17a6bf464.webp" alt="President Donald Trump's post on Truth Social" width="569" height="178"><figcaption>President Donald Trump's post on Truth Social | @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social</figcaption></figure>He added that this deal with Iran is not tied in any way to Lebanon. This comes after Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire on Friday.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Dow Soars Over 1,000 Points</h2>The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz sent U.S. equities&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/dow-soars-iran-opens-strait-of-hormuz-trump-naval-blockade/cZJUszCRIUb">soaring</a> on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) surging by more than 1,000 points.The S&amp;P 500 reached a new all-time high of 7,136, while the Nasdaq Composite also scaled a new all-time high of 24,490.At the time of writing, the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF</a> (SPY), which tracks the S&amp;P 500 index, was up 1.25%; the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/QQQ">Invesco QQQ Trust ETF</a> (QQQ) rose 1.32%; and the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/DIA">SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust</a> (DIA) surged 2%. Retail sentiment on Stocktwits regarding the S&amp;P 500 ETF was in the ‘extremely bullish’ territory.Also See:&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/sndk-stock-rally-this-year-bofa-more-upside-nasdaq-100-inclusion/cZJUsLwRIxC">SNDK Stock Has Rallied 285% This Year, But Analyst Says There's More Upside Ahead Of Nasdaq 100 Entry</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Sunset view with silhouette of an oil rig.

BATL, XOM, USO Tank As Crude Oil Prices Plunge On Reopening Of Strait Of Hormuz — Trump Says US, Iran Removing All Sea Mines

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures expiring in May were down nearly 13%, hovering around $82 a barrel, the lowest in more than a month.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>The S&amp;P 500 index was hovering around a new all-time high of 7,140 at the time of writing, while the Nasdaq Composite was up around 2%.</li><li>President Trump told Bloomberg in an interview that Iran has agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely.</li><li>He added that talks about an agreement will “probably” be held this weekend.</li></ul>U.S. equities soared on Friday morning after Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz is completely open for passage following the ceasefire announced between Israel and Lebanon.The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) soared more than 1,000 points, while the S&amp;P 500 index topped 7,100 for the first time to hover around a new all-time high of 7,140 at the time of writing. The Nasdaq Composite was up around 2%, reaching a new all-time high of 24,518.“In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran,” Araghchi stated in a&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/araghchi/status/2045121573124759713">post</a> on X.<figure class="image"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Araghchi_post_jpg_cf48e303b4.webp" alt="Seyed Abbas Araghchi's post on X" width="588" height="222"><figcaption>Seyed Abbas Araghchi's post on X | @araghchi/X</figcaption></figure><h2 class="st-heading-2">Trump Says Iran Blockade To Continue</h2>Meanwhile, President Donald Trump stated that the naval blockade of Iranian ports will continue until the “transaction” with Iran is complete.“The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete,” he stated in a&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116420275523158052">post</a> on Truth Social.President Trump added that the talks with Iran should be completed very soon, noting that most of the points have already been negotiated with the Middle Eastern country.<figure class="image"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Trump_post_1_jpg_e0cf96c4fa.webp" alt="President Donald Trump's post on Truth Social" width="566" height="273"><figcaption>President Donald Trump's post on Truth Social | @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social</figcaption></figure>President Trump added that the talks with Iran should be completed very soon, noting that most of the points have already been negotiated.He stated in another&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116420562510387829">post</a> on Truth Social that Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again.<figure class="image"><img src="https://news.stocktwits-cdn.com/Trump_post_3_jpg_a17a6bf464.webp" alt="President Donald Trump's post on Truth Social" width="569" height="178"><figcaption>President Donald Trump's post on Truth Social | @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social</figcaption></figure><h2 class="st-heading-2">Iran To Suspend Nuclear Program</h2>President Trump&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-17/trump-says-iran-to-suspend-nuclear-program-won-t-get-funds">told</a> Bloomberg in an interview that Iran has agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely.He added that talks on an agreement will “probably” be held this weekend, and that he may head to Pakistan to sign the agreement with Iran.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Crude Oil Tanks</h2>Crude oil prices&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/batl-xom-uso-tank-crude-oil-prices-fall-strait-of-hormuz-open-trump-iran-war/cZJUHTHRIUJ">plummeted</a> following the announcement. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures expiring in May were down nearly 13%, hovering around $83, the lowest in more than a month. Brent crude futures expiring in June fell about 11% to hover around $88 a barrel.The&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/USO">United States Oil Fund ETF</a> (USO) was down about 10% at the time of writing, while the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/UCO">ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF</a> (UCO) tumbled nearly 13%.Major U.S. oil stocks also tumbled, with shares of Exxon Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and Battalion Oil declining between 5% to 14% on Friday.At the time of writing, the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF</a> (SPY), which tracks the S&amp;P 500 index, was up 1.35%; the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/QQQ">Invesco QQQ Trust ETF</a> (QQQ) rose 1.29%; and the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/DIA">SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust</a> (DIA) surged 2.2%. Retail sentiment on Stocktwits regarding the S&amp;P 500 ETF was in the ‘extremely bullish’ territory.Also See:&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/sndk-stock-rally-this-year-bofa-more-upside-nasdaq-100-inclusion/cZJUsLwRIxC">SNDK Stock Has Rallied 285% This Year, But Analyst Says There's More Upside Ahead Of Nasdaq 100 Entry</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

The New York Stock Exchange stands on Wall Street in New York City

Dow Soars Over 1,000 Points, S&P 500 Tops 7,100 For First Time After Iran Declares Strait Of Hormuz Is Open — Trump Says Naval Blockade To Continue

President Donald Trump said talks with Iran should be completed soon, noting that most points have already been negotiated.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>Schwab analysts noted that the big bank earnings this week reassured investors that the U.S. economy has remained resilient despite the uncertainty caused by the Iran war.</li><li>JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America reported their first-quarter results this week, with all of them blowing past Wall Street’s earnings estimates.</li><li>The S&amp;P 500 is up nearly 3% this week, while the DJIA is up nearly 1%.</li></ul>U.S. equities&nbsp;were mixed in Thursday morning’s trade, with the S&amp;P 500 giving up gains after rising to a new record high of 7,040, amid a slew of earnings as well as reports of the United States and Iran extending the two-week ceasefire.The S&amp;P 500 was down 0.1% at the time of writing, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was down about 100 points, and the Nasdaq Composite edged lower by 0.1%.Analysts at Schwab credited the surge in the S&amp;P 500 to impressive earnings and positive news about the war in Iran.“As long as negotiations are moving in the right direction and U.S. crude stays below $100 per barrel, there could be more upside bias,” said Nathan Peterson, director of derivatives research and strategy at the Schwab Center for Financial Research.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Big Bank Earnings Reassure Investors</h2>Schwab analysts also noted that the big banks' earnings this week reassured investors that the U.S. economy has remained resilient despite the uncertainty caused by the war in Iran.“Several banks lowered their provisions for loan losses, meaning they see less need for heavy amounts of cash on hand to guard against defaults on loans. Also, wealth management and trading results looked solid in the first quarter, with Morgan Stanley the latest to impress with better-than-expected trading activity,” the firm stated.JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America reported their first-quarter (Q1) results this week, with all of them blowing past Wall Street’s earnings estimates.While JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/jamie-dimon-warns-complex-risks-geopolitical-tensions-wars/cZJqc39RIHi">warned</a> about an increasingly “complex set of risks” facing the U.S. economy amid rising geopolitical tensions and the ongoing war in Iran, he highlighted the economic resilience supported by multiple tailwinds, including fiscal stimulus, AI-driven capital investments, and more.The S&amp;P 500 is up nearly 3% this week, while the DJIA is up nearly 1%.Crude oil prices have seen sideways movement this week, with U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures expiring in May down over 3%, while Brent crude futures maturing in June rose 3%.However, crude futures rose on Thursday. At the time of writing, WTI futures were up more than 2%, hovering around $94 per barrel, while Brent crude futures were up more than 3% at $98 a barrel.The&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/USO">United States Oil Fund ETF</a> (USO) rose about 3%, while the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/UCO">ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF</a> (UCO) was up more than 2% at the time of writing.<h2 class="st-heading-2">US, Iran Inch Closer To Extending Truce</h2>Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iran inched closer to extending the two-week ceasefire, with mediators making progress in restarting negotiations between the two countries.According to a&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://apnews.com/article/us-iran-war-lebanon-israel-talks-hormuz-15-april-2026-f1b02d16f81d6fdcf68c0ed16d7a719d">report</a> by The Associated Press on Wednesday, regional officials stated that the U.S. and Iran had reached an “in principle” agreement to extend the ongoing ceasefire to allow more time for diplomatic efforts between the two countries' representatives.U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iran on Thursday that the blockade of Iranian ports would continue if they “choose poorly.”“In the meantime and for as long as it takes, we will maintain this successful blockade. But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure and power and energy,” Hegseth said during a press conference on Thursday morning.At the time of writing, the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF</a> (SPY), which tracks the S&amp;P 500 index, declined 0.08%; the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/QQQ">Invesco QQQ Trust ETF</a> (QQQ) gained 0.06%; and the&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/DIA">SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust</a> (DIA) fell 0.22%. Retail sentiment on Stocktwits regarding the S&amp;P 500 ETF was in the ‘bullish’ territory.Also See:&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/pepsi-ceo-north-america-reset-very-exciting-gatorade-low-sugar-pep-stock/cZJvlczRIDg">PepsiCo CEO Says Early Reads Of Reset In North America Are 'Very Exciting', Banks On World Cup For Innovation Boost As PEP Tops Q1 Estimates</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

People walk by the New York Stock Exchange

S&P 500 Gives Up Gains After Hitting Record High — Analyst Says There Could Be More Upside Bias

The U.S. and Iran inched closer to extending the two-week ceasefire, with mediators making progress in restarting negotiations between the two countries.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>A key concern highlighted in The Beige Book is the sharp rise in energy and fuel costs, which increased across all 12 Federal Reserve districts.</li><li>The labor market, however, has remained relatively stable, the Fed noted, with employment levels staying steady.&nbsp;</li><li>The Fed is widely expected to keep its benchmark interest rate steady at the current 3.50%-3.75% ​range at its next policy meeting slated for April 28-29.</li></ul>U.S. businesses are facing rising uncertainty and cost pressures due to the ongoing war in Iran and the wider Middle East conflict, according to the latest Beige Book report released by the Federal Reserve.“The conflict in the Middle East was cited as a major source of uncertainty that complicated decision-making around hiring, pricing, and capital investment, with many firms adopting a wait-and-see posture,” the Fed said.Despite these challenges, overall economic activity across the United States continued to grow at a slight to modest pace in most regions, the central bank noted.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Top Economic Concerns</h2>A key concern highlighted in <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/files/BeigeBook_20260415.pdf">The Beige Book</a> is the sharp rise in energy and fuel costs, which increased across all 12 Federal Reserve districts.This had a cascading effect, leading to higher freight and shipping costs, as well as higher prices for petroleum-based products, including plastics and fertilizers. The Fed noted in its report that input cost pressures are now spreading beyond energy, affecting a wide range of sectors, including metals, technology, and insurance.The labor market, however, has remained relatively stable, the Fed noted, with employment levels staying steady.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Key Interest Rates</h2>The Fed is widely expected to keep its benchmark interest rate steady at the current 3.50%-3.75% ​range at its next policy meeting slated for April 28-29.However, some experts are signalling that the Fed may hike interest rates amid the inflationary pressures of the war. Jeremy Siegel, professor emeritus of finance at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/fed-rate-hike-oil-shock-iran-war-wharton-jeremy-siegel/cZJqRCXRIHL">recently warned of a rate hike</a>, saying the odds were “no longer negligible” amid the backdrop of high crude oil prices due to the Iran war.According to data from the CME FedWatch tool, the odds of a rate hike are currently at 0.5%, down from 1% a week ago.Oil prices have surged about 45% in the past year, driven up largely by the war in Iran.Meanwhile, at the time of writing, the <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF</a> (SPY), which tracks the S&amp;P 500 index, declined about 0.05% in extended trading hours, while the <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">Invesco QQQ Trust ETF</a> (QQQ) fell 0.06%, and the <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust</a> (DIA) was flat.Retail sentiment on Stocktwits regarding the S&amp;P 500 ETF was in the ‘neutral’ territory.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

The seal of the Federal Reserve is pictured before Fed Chairman Jerome Powell conducted a news conference after a meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

Fed Beige Book: Iran War Pushes American Companies Into ‘Wait-And-See’ Mode

Despite these challenges, overall economic activity across the United States continued to grow at a slight to modest pace in most regions, the central bank noted in its report.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>The move indicates an end to the Trump administration's efforts to use the sanctions waivers ​to ease global oil prices.&nbsp;</li><li>Washington had previously allowed the purchase of sanctioned oil from Russia and Iran under a waiver issued for a period of 30 days, but the deadline is now set to expire.&nbsp;</li><li>Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are underway to ease tensions between the two countries.</li></ul>U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that the country will not renew the temporary licenses that allowed limited sales of Russian and Iranian crude oil to ease global energy supplies.“We will not be renewing the general license on Russian oil, and we will not be renewing the general license on Iranian oil,” Bessent said at a White House press briefing.“That was oil that ​was on the water prior to March 11. So all ‌that ⁠has been used," Bessent said.This announcement comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and rising crude oil prices since the start of the war with Iran as the flow of oil through Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted. The move indicates an end to the Trump administration's efforts to use the sanctions waivers ​to ease up oil prices.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Soaring Oil Prices</h2>Washington had previously allowed the purchase of sanctioned oil from Russia and Iran under a waiver issued for a period of 30 days. However, as the Russian waiver has expired and the Iranian exemption is set to lapse, the U.S.’s decision to not extend them could severely impact global oil supply.Meanwhile, <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/us-iran-extending-ceasefire-trump-iran-war-close-to-being-over/cZJt9guRIvC">diplomatic efforts are underway</a> to ease tensions between the two countries. The U.S. and Iran are reportedly close to extending a two-week ceasefire, with negotiations progressing despite earlier setbacks tied to Iran’s nuclear program, maritime navigation, and wartime compensation.President Donald Trump said the conflict is nearing an end and suggested oil prices could fall significantly if hostilities cease. Still, the risk of further supply disruptions, including the possibility of a U.S. blockade in the strait, continues to weigh on global energy markets and U.S. allies heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Market Reactions</h2>Crude oil prices dipped lower on Wednesday, with U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures maturing in May falling by about 0.5% to $90.81 per barrel. Brent crude futures maturing in June were trading around $94.79 per barrel at the time of writing.The <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/uso">United States Oil Fund ETF</a> (USO) fell nearly 1%, while the <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/uco">ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF</a> (UCO) was up about 1.5% at the time of writing.At the time of writing, the <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF</a> (SPY), which tracks the S&amp;P 500 index, was up 0.78%; the <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">Invesco QQQ Trust ETF</a> (QQQ) climbed 1.3% higher; and the <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust</a> (DIA) fell 0.13%.Retail sentiment on Stocktwits regarding the S&amp;P 500 ETF was in the ‘neutral’ territory.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appears in the in the Oval Office of the White House on September 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Bessent Says US Won’t Extend Oil Waivers On Russia, Iran Amid Strait Of Hormuz Tensions

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that the U.S. will not renew ​the waivers that allowed purchase of Iranian and ‌Russian oil. 

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