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Apple, Inc. engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables and accessories, and other varieties of related services. It operates through the following geographical segments: Americas, Europe, Greater China, Japan, and Rest of Asia Pacific. The Americas segment includes North and South America. The Europe segment consists of European countries, as well as India, the Middle East, and Africa. The Greater China segment comprises China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The Rest of Asia Pacific segment includes Australia and Asian countries. Its products and services include iPhone, Mac, iPad, AirPods, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Beats products, AppleCare, iCloud, digital content stores, streaming, and licensing services. The company was founded by Steven Paul Jobs, Ronald Gerald Wayne, and Stephen G. Wozniak in April 1976 and is headquartered in Cupertino, CA.

Apple Inc

Apple is trending following the surprise announcement that long-time CEO Tim Cook will transition to Executive Chairman, with hardware chief John Ternus set to take over as CEO. Investors are actively debating the leadership shift's impact on future innovation and AI strategy, as the market weighs the transition against strong iPhone sales data and expectations for the upcoming earnings cycle.

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 experiencing significant momentum driven by a massive $11.6 billion acquisition of Globalstar, a move seen as a strategic escalation against SpaceX's Starlink to secure critical satellite spectrum and accelerate its Project Kuiper broadband initiative. The community is actively debating the stock's potential to reach new highs, fueled by bullish analyst price target upgrades and a perceived acceleration in AWS cloud growth tied to increasing AI infrastructure demand.

Avis Budget Group, Inc. engages in the provision of vehicle sharing and rental services. It operates through the Americas and International segments. The Americas segment includes vehicle rental and car sharing operations in North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The International segment is involved in vehicle rental and car sharing operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. The company was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Parsippany, NJ.

Avis Budget Group Inc

Avis Budget Group (CAR) is experiencing an intense, sustained short squeeze driven by institutional concentration and tight supply-demand mechanics rather than company fundamentals. The community is actively debating the sustainability of this parabolic move, with many traders closely watching for signs of a potential rug pull or share offering while others continue to bet on further upside momentum.

Webull Corp. engages in the provision of financial services. It offers trading, wealth management product distribution, market data and information, user community, and investor education. The company was founded by An Quan Wang in 2016 and is headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL.

Webull Corp. - Ordinary Shares - Class A

Webull Corp

Webull Corp is trending due to significant retail excitement surrounding recent SEC rule changes regarding the Pattern Day Trader (PDT) restriction, which investors believe will drive increased platform activity and volume. The community is actively debating the stock's valuation relative to competitors, with many longs looking for a short squeeze and long-term recovery while others express frustration over recent price consolidation.

Lucid Group, Inc. manufactures electric vehicles. It designs, develops, and builds energy storage systems for electric vehicles and supplies automakers with the battery pack system needed to power hybrid, plug-in, and electric vehicles. The company was founded in December 2007 and is headquartered in Newark, CA.

Lucid Group Inc

Lucid Group is facing intense downward pressure and hitting new all-time lows as investors react to concerns over ongoing dilution, significant cash burn, and the company's long-term path to profitability. While the community is sharply divided, discussions center on the strategic implications of Uber's expanded investment in Lucid's robotaxi development, with many traders debating whether current valuation levels represent a generational buying opportunity or a signal of deeper institutional lack of confidence.

BlackBerry Ltd. engages in the provision of intelligent security software and services. It operates through the following segments: Cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), and Licensing and Other. The Cybersecurity segment includes the brand Cylance, BlackBerry Spark, AtHoc, and SecuSUITE. The IoT segment focuses on software licenses, support, maintenance, and professional services. The Licensing and Other segment involves the intellectual property licensing arrangements and settlement awards. 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 trending due to an expanded partnership with Nvidia to integrate its safety-critical QNX operating system into industrial AI and robotics, a development that has fueled speculation regarding the company's long-term growth and potential for revaluation. The community is actively discussing the stock's turnaround potential, expressing strong bullish sentiment while monitoring heavy institutional volume as the share price approaches new 52-week highs.

Rumble, Inc. engages in operating an online neutral video platform. It operates through the following geographical segments: United States, Canada, and Other. The company was founded in October 2013 by Chris Pavlovski and is headquartered in Longboat Key, FL.

Rumble Inc - Ordinary Shares - Class A

Rumble Inc

Rumble is trending as investors react to the company's strategic push into the AI cloud and GPU infrastructure space, underscored by its acquisition of Northern Data AG and significant backing from Tether. The community is actively discussing the stock's potential for a major short squeeze, driven by high short interest and a low available float, while long-term supporters remain focused on the company's evolution into a broader infrastructure player.

Gorilla Technology Group, Inc. engages in the provision of video intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) security, edge AI data analytics, and operational technology security solutions and services in Asia Pacific. It operates through the following segments: Video IoT, Security Convergence, and Other. The company was founded by Spincer Koh in May 2001 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Gorilla Technology Group Inc

Gorilla Technology Group is currently trending as investors focus on its strategic expansion into the AI infrastructure market, particularly through a confirmed partnership with Yotta and the receipt of UK FCA approval for Shackleton Finance. The community remains deeply divided, with bulls highlighting the stock's potential as a severely undervalued play on sovereign AI buildouts, while skeptics continue to raise concerns regarding management credibility, the transparency of project financing, and past communication issues.

Newcourt Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company, which engages in the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The company was founded on February 25, 2021 and is headquartered in Oakland, CA.

Psyence Biomedical Ltd.

Psyence Biomedical is surging as investors react to a government executive order prioritizing and accelerating the research and regulatory review process for psychedelic medicines, including ibogaine. The community is actively debating the stock's potential for a parabolic short squeeze due to its extremely low float and high cost-to-borrow, while some cautious voices highlight the risks of dilution and historical volatility.

Alaska Air Group, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of air transportation services. It operates through the following segments: Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Regional. The Alaska Airlines segment includes scheduled air transportation on Alaska's Boeing and Airbus jet aircraft for passengers and cargo. The Hawaiian Airlines segment refers to scheduled air transportation on Hawaiian's Boeing and Airbus aircraft for passengers and cargo. The Regional segment consists of Horizon's and other third-party carriers’ scheduled air transportation on E175 aircraft for passengers under CPAs. The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Seattle, WA.

Alaska Air Group Inc.

Alaska Air Group remains a heavily debated stock as investors weigh strong demand and forward booking growth against significant headwinds from volatile fuel prices, operational IT challenges, and the complexities of integrating the Hawaiian Airlines merger. While some participants see a strong long-term recovery play supported by institutional accumulation and analyst optimism, others are focused on bearish guidance and earnings pressure, creating a polarized community sentiment between those calling for a retest of previous highs and those anticipating further downside volatility.

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<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.

Equity

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>President Trump threatened to hit Iran’s power plants and bridges if they failed to take a deal.</li><li>Dow Jones futures slid by more than 0.7% around 9.40 PM ET, the S&amp;P 500 futures slid 0.5%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures declined 0.5%.&nbsp;</li><li>Oil prices climbed higher amid escalating tensions, with the WTI crude futures up to $89.15 a barrel and Brent crude up to $95.37 a barrel.</li></ul>U.S. stock futures tumbled Sunday night, and oil prices jumped amid escalating tensions with Iran after President Donald Trump said that an Iranian-flagged cargo ship had been seized in the Strait of Hormuz.Dow Jones futures slid by more than 0.7% around 9.40 PM ET, the S&amp;P 500 futures slid 0.5%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures declined 0.5%.The <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/SPY">SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF</a> (SPY) fell about 0.69% in overnight trading, <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/qqq">Invesco QQQ Trust </a>(QQQ) edged 0.46% lower, and <a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/dia">SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust </a>(DIA) declined 0.67%. Meanwhile, on Stocktwits, retail sentiment around the S&amp;P 500 ETF was in the ‘extremely bullish’ territory at the time of writing, amid ‘low’ message volumes.<h2 class="st-heading-2">What’s Driving US Markets?</h2>After a week of optimism around de-escalations that drove markets to record highs and lowered oil prices, Trump said on Sunday that the U.S. Navy had fired on the Iranian ship that had allegedly attempted to pass the blockade despite warnings, as a ceasefire between the two countries is set to expire this week.“The U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman, and gave them fair warning to stop. The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom. Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel,” Trump said in a <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116433000897070863">post</a> on Truth Social.In an earlier <a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116431297579272777">post</a>, the president also threatened to hit Iran’s power plants and bridges if they failed to take a deal. “We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran,” he said, adding that U.S. representatives would be visiting Pakistan on Monday evening to negotiate further.Over the weekend, Iran reversed an earlier decision to reopen the critical sea route after Trump announced that the U.S. Navy blockade of Iranian ports would stay, sending oil prices soaring back up.Major U.S. indexes closed higher on Friday.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Index</td><td>Move</td><td>Close</td></tr><tr><td>Dow Jones Industrial Average</td><td>1.79%</td><td>49,447.43</td></tr><tr><td>S&amp;P 500</td><td>1.20%</td><td>7,126.06</td></tr><tr><td>Nasdaq Composite</td><td>1.52%</td><td>24,468.48</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Meanwhile, markets will be looking out for key earnings this week, with Tesla Inc. (TSLA), Boeing Co. (BA), AT&amp;T Inc. (T), and Intel Corp. (INTC) among those expected to report quarterly earnings. Additionally, on Tuesday, markets will also be looking out for the Senate Banking Committee’s first hearing for the confirmation of Kevin Warsh as Trump’s nominee for Federal Reserve chair.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Trending Stocks To Watch</h2>AST SpaceMobile (ASTS): Shares of the company <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/asts-stock-bluebird-7-orbit-failure-satellite-exit-network-buildout/cZB5uQiRIy9">plummeted more than 15%</a> in Sunday’s overnight trading after the company said that its BlueBird-7 satellite did not reach its intended orbit at launch and is now set to de-orbit.Marvell Technology Inc. (MRVL): The stock <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/marvell-stock-jumps-overnight-on-buzz-of-custom-google-ai-chip-talks-retail-bulls-cheer-loudly/cZB5u6ORIya">jumped about 8%</a> at the time of writing in the overnight trading session amid reports that the company was in talks with Alphabet Inc.’s (GOOG, GOOGL) Google to develop chips to improve the efficiency of its AI model operations.Critical Metals Corp. (CRML): The company has been <a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/crml-stock-has-best-week-since-january-on-greenland-win-can-it-sustain-the-rally/cZJy20WRIUo">garnering attention</a> on Wall Street and among retailers after announcing last week that it had received approval from Greenland’s government to get hold of a majority stake in the Tanbreez mining project.Psyence Biomedical Ltd. (PBM): The company drew attention after Trump signed an order last week that was aimed at accelerating research into psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine, now under study for addiction and PTSD.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Broader Market Trends</h2>Oil prices climbed higher amid escalating tensions. WTI crude futures were up 6.32% to $89.15 a barrel, while Brent crude climbed 5.51% to $95.37 a barrel.Meanwhile, treasury yields on the benchmark 10-year were up to 4.266%, while gold traded around $4,806 an ounce after falling about 0.44%. The U.S. Dollar Index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, was up 0.2% to 98.302 at the time of writing.Asian markets were mixed in Monday’s opening trade, with KOSPI, Nikkei 225, Hang Seng, and the Shanghai Composite all trading up, while Australian stocks dipped lower.For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

A man rides a Citi Bike outside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in lower Manhattan on September 03, 2025, in New York City. The Dow was down over 150 points in morning trading. 

S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Futures Slide As Trump Says US Navy Seizes Iranian Ship: Why ASTS, MRVL, CRML, PBM Stocks Are In Focus

Markets slid amid tensions that have re-escalated in the Strait of Hormuz as Trump said on Sunday that the U.S. Navy had fired on an Iran-flagged ship. 

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>Iran is reviewing new US proposals delivered via Pakistan, but reiterated it will make “no compromise” and defend its national interests in ongoing talks.</li><li>High-level Islamabad talks, including a visit by US Vice President JD Vance, marked the first direct US-Iran engagement in 47 years, though no agreement was reached.</li><li>Tensions remain elevated, with Donald Trump calling talks “very good and productive” while warning Iran, as Tehran’s leadership signals continued resistance and criticizes US policy.</li></ul>Iran said on Saturday that it is looking into new offers from the US that were sent through Pakistan.The Islamic Republic of Iran's Supreme National Security Council&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/iran-reviewing-new-us-proposals-via-pakistan-no-response-yet-3218346">told</a> Tasnim News Agency, "In recent days, new proposals have been made by the Americans, with the Commander of the Pakistani Army in Tehran as a mediator and intermediary."Iran has said that it would "not make even the slightest compromise, retreat or leniency, and will defend with all its strength the interests of the Iranian nation", according to the article.Last week,<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/after-47-years-us-and-iran-begin-direct-talks-while-us-vice-president-vance-leads-negotiations/cZJjYg9RIM9">&nbsp;US Vice President JD Vance</a> went to Pakistan for what were called the Islamabad talks. This was one of the highest-level direct conversations between Washington and Tehran in decades, where the two countries met face-to-face in 47 years. Even with the diplomatic effort, the meetings didn't end in a real accord.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Tension Mounts Between US And Iran</h2>The talks come amid a time of rising tensions between the US and Iran. President Trump&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-us-talks-2026/card/trump-iran-can-t-blackmail-us--vTlcuvld8CKAugPiP7er?">stated</a> on Saturday that talks with Iran were “very good and productive,” while warning Tehran not to “try anything cute” and insisting the US “can’t be blackmailed.”Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, said in a&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://t.me/Tasnimnews/408736">Telegram message</a> that the country will stand steadfast against what he called "Our response, however, is not in words but in the "glory of the field"; breaking the alleged naval blockade and doubling or tripling oil exports during this period are signs of Iran's decisive victory. The power of this nation will not be undermined by nonsense. The first Vice President of Iran, Mohammad Reza Aref, added, “Trump's policies are a mixture of delusion, contradictory rhetoric, and his tweets are worthless.”<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/USO">The United States Oil Fund (USO)</a> fell over 7% to $116 on Friday after a dramatic mid-morning slump erased gains. The ETF sank fast at the start of U.S. trading hours, before stabilizing and regaining some ground in the after-hours.&nbsp;Read also:<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/cryptocurrency/oil-wager-frontruns-hormuz-shock-sparks-market-manipulation/cZJ6zPsRIUw"> $760 Million Oil Wager Front-Runs Hormuz Shock, Sparks Market Manipulation Concerns</a>For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

National Army Day March In Tehran As Ceasefire With US Continues. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

Iran Reviews New US Proposals Delivered Via Pakistan Mediation: Report

Iran said that it is reviewing fresh US proposals sent through Pakistan as mediation efforts intensify.

<ul class="summary-bullets"><li>Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz again on Saturday, citing the US blockade and raising oil supply risks.</li><li>Tehran reportedly proposed tighter control, allowing only IRGC-approved ships with tolls.</li><li>Diplomatic efforts continue, with cautious hopes despite ongoing tensions.Iran has reportedly closed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, just hours after temporarily reopening it to non-military traffic.&nbsp;</li></ul>The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has stated that the waterway would remain under strict military control until full freedom of navigation for Iranian vessels is restored, citing Washington's alleged failure to lift its naval blockade and continuation of what it called "acts of piracy" as the reason for the decision,&nbsp;<a class="st-link-external" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/4/18/iran-war-live-tehran-says-president-trump-made-false-claims-amid-talks">according</a> to Al Jazeera.&nbsp;Despite his claim that a solution is likely, US President Donald Trump cast doubt on ongoing negotiations, stating that the blockade would remain in place even if the current ceasefire expires this week. Limited tanker movement continued during the brief reopening, but US Marines reportedly turned back 21 tankers, showing the mounting risks to global energy flows along one of the world's most important oil transit routes.<h2 class="st-heading-2">Iran Signals New Strait Of Hormuz Regime</h2>According to the Al Jazeera report, Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran's National Security Committee, said in a new update that there might be a change in maritime policy. He said, "The time has come to comply with a new maritime regime for the Strait of Hormuz."&nbsp;Under this plan, only commercial ships that have been approved by the IRGC Navy would be able to go via certain routes after paying tolls. This would mean that transit would be more tightly controlled. He also said that any US meddling with Iranian vessels may quickly change the scenario.The Khatam al-Anbiya military command agreed with this and said that the strait would stay under strict supervision until the US lets Iranian ships move freely. The report talks about how Iran is sending confusing messages.&nbsp;The developments come amid continuous coordination among a quadrilateral group that includes Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, with cautious hope emerging despite persistent disagreements.While no formal date has been set, diplomatic activity has increased, including Pakistan army chief Asim Munir's recent visit to Tehran, where he spoke with key Iranian officials and underscored the necessity for ongoing talks to restore regional stability.&nbsp;<h2 class="st-heading-2">Markets Remain Muted</h2>The geopolitical winds could affect the defense, energy and oil sectors. The<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/XLE"> Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE)</a> fell 2.76% on Friday, closing at $55.02. The&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/ITA">iShares U.S. Aerospace &amp; Defense ETF (ITA)</a>, on the other hand, was up 1.27% to close at $231.94. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around XLE remained in the ‘extremely bearish’ zone over the past day, while for ITA, retail sentiment remained ‘bearish’.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/symbol/USO">United States Oil Fund (USO)</a> underperformed, closing down more than 7% on Friday. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around USO dropped to ‘extremely bearish’ from ‘bearish’ zone.Read also:&nbsp;<a href="https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/cryptocurrency/bitcoin-rally-triggers-800-m-liquidation-wave-shorts-take-650-m-hit/cZJU6xYRIUN">Over $800 Million Crypto Bets Wiped Out Amid Bitcoin’s Rally To $78,000</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)

Strait Of Hormuz Closed Again By Iran While ‘Piracy’ Row With US Intensifies

Iran re-closed the Strait of Hormuz within hours of reopening it, restricting passage amid escalating tensions with the US.

<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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Oil prices are surging as the Strait of Hormuz closure and the US-led ship seizure escalate geopolitical tensions.

Ceasefire talks are stalling as Iran rejects negotiations and military threats loom large ahead of the Wednesday deadline.

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Concerns over prolonged naval blockades are forcing investors to weigh energy price spikes against a looming global recession.

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