Crude Oil Prices Rise to $105 per Barrel: These US Stocks May Rejoice

The global oil market just witnessed a notable disruption. West Texas Intermediate crude futures posted their biggest weekly gain in the entire 40-year history of oil futures trading, rocketing 35% in a single week to breach $90 per barrel, according to Barchart. 

Meanwhile, Murban crude, the benchmark for barrels bypassing the troubled Strait of Hormuz, is already trading above $103 per barrel, per CoinDesk. Brent Crude futures  When geopolitical shockwaves of this magnitude ripple through energy markets, some companies don't just survive; they thrive.

Let's break down what's driving this historic crude oil price surge and which US stocks are positioned to capitalize on what analysts call potentially the biggest energy crisis since the 1970s oil embargo.

Why Are Oil Prices Exploding?

Following joint US-Israel military strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei on February 28, 2026, the Strait of Hormuz has effectively shut down. This waterway normally carries roughly 20 million barrels per day, representing about 20% of global oil supply.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard prohibited vessel passage, and insurers pulled coverage. Over 150 ships are now stranded, Iraq shut down 1.5 million barrels per day of production, and Qatar ceased LNG production entirely.

Think of it like suddenly closing one lane of a highway that handles 20% of all traffic. The remaining lane gets overwhelmed, prices skyrocket, and alternative routes become premium real estate.

US Stocks Cheering Crude Oil Prices Hike

1. Exxon Mobil (XOM) posted Q4 2025 earnings of $6.5 billion on $82.3 billion revenue. With production hitting 4.7 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, its highest in over 40 years), every dollar increase in oil prices translates to massive margin expansion.
2. Chevron (CVX) controls everything from drilling to refining to retail. When oil prices rise, Chevron captures value at multiple points. Recent Q4 results showed strong EPS growth even at lower prices.
3. ConocoPhillips (COP) operates with production costs around $40 per barrel. With WTI above $90 and J.P. Morgan predicting moves to $120-$130, ConocoPhillips is positioned for significant profits.

Read more about why Energy Stocks are rising

Oil Refiners: The Dark Horses Amid Crude Oil Price Rise

Here's where most investors miss the opportunity. While everyone watches Exxon and Chevron, refiners quietly position for outsized gains. They operate on the "crack spread," the profit margin between crude costs and refined products.

During rapid crude spikes, refiners hold a critical advantage: they purchased crude weeks ago at lower prices but sell gasoline at today's elevated prices. As crude jumped 35% in a week, refiners with large inventories locked in windfall profits. 

Think of buying concert tickets for $50, then reselling for $200 when the show sells out.

Stocks To Watch Amid Crude Price Surge

Source: Yahoo Finance, Google Finance

Oil ETFs for Broad Exposure

The United States Oil Fund (USO stock) offers direct crude oil futures exposure. Per Google Finance, USO stock has skyrocketed 24% in just the last five days. Year-to-date it has run up more than 57%. 

Meanwhile, ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (UCO), which provides 2x leveraged daily exposure, with higher risk has surged 32.6% in just the last week.

What Oil Prices Rise Means for Investors

Qatar's Energy Minister warned continued conflict could push crude to $150 per barrel. J.P. Morgan sees Brent testing $120-$130 if disruptions persist. However, geopolitical premiums can evaporate quickly. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasted Brent averaging $58 for 2026 based on fundamentals, before this crisis. 

The smart play? Companies with strong balance sheets. Chevron and ExxonMobil generate cash flow even at $50-$60 oil, per Motley Fool, giving downside protection with upside leverage. For investors watching oil prices today, this represents both opportunity and risk. Whether crude stabilizes or climbs toward analyst predictions, these energy stocks are positioned to navigate the volatility.

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