Stock Markets April 28, 2026 09:58 AM

U.S. Energy Stocks Climb as Oil Prices Rise on Strait of Hormuz Disruption

Crude benchmarks jump; producers, service firms and refiners all post gains amid stalled Iran talks and a largely closed strategic waterway

By Hana Yamamoto XOM CVX OXY COP
U.S. Energy Stocks Climb as Oil Prices Rise on Strait of Hormuz Disruption
XOM CVX OXY COP

U.S. energy equities rose Tuesday after Brent and West Texas Intermediate futures advanced following renewed disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz and stalled efforts to resolve the Iran war. Major integrated oil companies, upstream producers, oilfield service firms and refiners all logged intraday gains as markets reacted to tighter supply prospects.

Key Points

  • Brent rose 2.6% to $111.05 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose 3% to $99.28 per barrel, prompting gains across the energy sector.
  • Integrated majors Exxon Mobil and Chevron advanced 1.5% and 1.2% respectively, while upstream producers like Occidental Petroleum, ConocoPhillips and APA Corp posted increases.
  • Oilfield services firms (Baker Hughes, Halliburton) and refiners (Marathon Petroleum, Phillips 66) also recorded gains as markets reacted to tighter supply prospects.

Shares of U.S. energy companies moved higher on Tuesday as global crude benchmarks climbed, reflecting concerns about supply flows from the Middle East.

Oil benchmarks tracked meaningful gains: Brent crude futures increased 2.6% to $111.05 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose 3% to $99.28 per barrel.

Market participants pushed prices up after efforts to resolve the Iran war appeared to have stalled, and the Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed - a development that has deprived markets of energy supplies from the Middle East.

Integrated oil majors recorded modest advances. Exxon Mobil was up 1.5% and Chevron climbed 1.2% on the session.

Upstream producers also benefited from the move higher in crude. Occidental Petroleum gained 1.6%, ConocoPhillips increased 1%, and APA Corp rose 2.2%.

Oilfield services firms mirrored the broader sector strength, with Baker Hughes advancing 2% and Halliburton rising 1.1%.

Refiners posted positive performance as well: Marathon Petroleum increased 1.5% and Phillips 66 rose 1.7% during trading.


The price action reflected a market response to constrained supply prospects tied to geopolitical developments. The continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the lack of progress on resolving the Iran war were cited as central drivers pushing crude higher and supporting energy-sector share gains.

While the moves were broadly across the energy complex - covering majors, producers, services and refiners - the market dynamics remain tied to how the regional situation evolves and whether shipping and exports through the waterway are restored.

Investors and market observers will be watching oil benchmarks and company-level trading for further signals about how sustained any price pressure might be if the current conditions persist.

Risks

  • The Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed - a supply disruption that has already deprived markets of Middle East energy flows and could continue to pressure crude prices and affected companies.
  • Efforts to resolve the Iran war appeared to have stalled, creating geopolitical uncertainty that can drive volatility in oil markets and in energy-sector equities.

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