Impact of Middle East Conflict on Helium Supply
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 19 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Helium Supply Disruption: The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has severely impacted helium production in Qatar, which could lead to a global helium shortage affecting critical industries such as semiconductors, industrial manufacturing, and medical imaging, potentially increasing production costs across these sectors.
- Price Surge: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused spot helium prices to spike by 70% to 100% within just over a week, placing direct financial pressure on semiconductor manufacturers who rely on helium, forcing them to adjust their procurement strategies to cope with rising costs.
- Priority Shift in Industries: In the event of helium shortages, the semiconductor industry is prioritized for allocations; however, all sectors will feel the impact, particularly non-critical applications like party balloons, which may face significant supply shortages.
- Delayed Market Response: Although the helium market had been oversupplied for the past two years, the current shortage is expected to create a supply deficit of about 15% rather than 30%, indicating that price increases may not immediately reflect in long-term contracts, potentially affecting overall industry profitability.
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Analyst Views on LIN
Wall Street analysts forecast LIN stock price to rise
17 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 491.120
Low
455.00
Averages
499.07
High
540.00
Current: 491.120
Low
455.00
Averages
499.07
High
540.00
About LIN
Linde plc is a United Kingdom-based industrial gases and engineering company. The Company’s segments include Americas, EMEA, APAC and Engineering. The Company’s primary products in its industrial gases business consists of atmospheric gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and rare gases and process gases, including hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, electronic gases, and acetylene, among others. It also designs and builds equipment that produces industrial gases and offers customers a range of gas production and processing services, such as olefin plants, natural gas plants, air separation plants, hydrogen and synthesis gas plants and other types of plants. It serves a diverse group of industries including healthcare, chemicals and energy, manufacturing, metals and mining, food and beverage, and electronics. Its Engineering business designs and manufactures equipment for air separation and other industrial gas applications specifically for end customers.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Increased Strategic Reserves Demand: With the conflict's end, countries are expected to ramp up efforts to build domestic strategic petroleum reserves, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, which have been severely impacted by oil price fluctuations and have not restored reserves to pre-2022 levels.
- Market Uncertainty Intensified: While oil prices may remain elevated, Morgan Stanley projects that energy companies' earnings will double by 2026; however, high oil prices could erode consumer spending power and compress corporate margins, negatively impacting overall stock market performance.
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