Oil Price Surge Raises Market Concerns
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 22 2026
0mins
Should l Buy SPGI?
Source: CNBC
- Oil Price Surge: Following Iraq's declaration of force majeure on foreign-operated oil fields, Brent crude prices have surged past $112 per barrel and WTI over $98, which will directly impact the global economy by increasing living costs and reducing corporate profitability.
- Job Market Focus: Investors are set to closely monitor upcoming initial jobless claims and productivity reports; while these are not primary employment indicators, their significance has risen amid growing concerns about economic stagnation, potentially influencing future monetary policy decisions.
- Consumer Sentiment Survey: The University of Michigan's consumer survey will provide a fuller picture of how the Iran conflict is affecting consumer sentiment, which is crucial as consumer spending accounts for about two-thirds of the U.S. economy, thus impacting growth prospects significantly.
- KB Home Earnings: As one of the largest home builders in the U.S., KB Home's earnings report will shed light on housing market dynamics, particularly as high energy prices and the ongoing Iran conflict may suppress housing activity.
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Analyst Views on SPGI
Wall Street analysts forecast SPGI stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
14 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 406.240
Low
546.00
Averages
617.77
High
675.00
Current: 406.240
Low
546.00
Averages
617.77
High
675.00
About SPGI
S&P Global Inc. provides essential intelligence. Its operations consist of five businesses: S&P Global Market Intelligence (Market Intelligence), S&P Global Ratings (Ratings), S&P Global Commodity Insights (Commodity Insights), S&P Global Mobility (Mobility) and S&P Dow Jones Indices (Indices). Market Intelligence is a global provider of multi-asset-class data and analytics integrated with purpose-built workflow solutions. Ratings is an independent provider of credit ratings, research, and analytics, offering investors and other market participants information, ratings and benchmarks. Commodity Insights is an independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodity and energy markets. Mobility is a provider of solutions serving the full automotive value chain, including vehicle manufacturers and retailers. Indices is a global index provider that maintains a variety of valuation and index benchmarks for investment advisors, wealth managers and institutional investors.
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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- Market Shockwaves: Analysts suggest that the attacks could shift the market from temporary softness to expectations of tighter supply and higher prices, exacerbating uncertainty for commodity firms in the region.
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See More
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- Price Surge: Aluminum futures on the London Metal Exchange surged 5.5% due to Iranian attacks on two Middle Eastern producers, briefly reaching $3,492 per tonne, the highest since April 2022, indicating heightened fears of a supply crisis.
- Supply Crisis Risk: Approximately 9% of global aluminum supply is affected, with EGA's Al Taweelah smelter sustaining significant damage, leading to an estimated production loss of 800 to 900 kilotons in 2026, potentially pushing the global market into a full-year deficit.
- Market Shockwaves: Analysts suggest that the attacks could shift the market from temporary softness to expectations of tighter supply and higher prices, exacerbating uncertainty for commodity firms in the region.
- China's Role: As the world's largest aluminum producer, China's constrained production capacity raises concerns; analysts believe that if the government decides to restart idle smelters, it could alleviate global supply tightness, but risks of further shocks remain.
See More
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Warren Buffett's Maxim: The phrase "Be greedy when others are fearful" reflects a key investment strategy attributed to Warren Buffett.
Bill Ackman's Ambition: Bill Ackman aims to position himself as a leading investment guru, suggesting that now is the time to act on Buffett's advice.
Political Climate Impact: Ackman may struggle to gain support for his investment strategies until there is a shift in the White House's stance on the Iran conflict.
Market Sentiment: The current market sentiment is influenced by geopolitical tensions, which could affect investment decisions and strategies.
See More
India's Economic Growth Faces Downside Risks Amid Middle East Conflict
- Growth Forecast Downgrade: India's growth forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2027 has been adjusted down to 7.0%-7.4% due to rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions linked to the Iran war, which is expected to significantly increase the trade deficit and impact the current account deficit, potentially hindering economic recovery.
- Rising Energy Costs: India relies on the Strait of Hormuz for about 50% of its crude oil, with prices surging from $80 to $140, leading to increased domestic fuel prices; while the government has cut taxes to alleviate consumer burdens, tax revenues are likely to be adversely affected.
- Private Sector Activity Slowdown: The HSBC flash Purchasing Managers' Index indicates that private sector activity in India fell to its lowest level since October 2022 in March, reflecting weak domestic demand and heightened inflationary pressures, with businesses expressing pessimism about future growth.
- Policy Response Measures: The Indian government has implemented measures to reduce central excise duties on petrol and diesel to prevent price hikes while raising export duties on diesel and aviation fuel to ensure domestic supply, demonstrating a cautious approach in addressing the energy crisis.
See More
Energy Executives Warn of Middle East War Impact
- Oil Supply Crisis: CEOs of major energy companies warned at S&P Global's CERAWeek that the Iran war has disrupted 8 million barrels of oil and 20% of the LNG market daily, potentially leading to fuel shortages in Asia and Europe, severely impacting the global economy.
- Market Reaction Lag: ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance noted that the market is not reflecting the scale of the supply disruption, with oil prices likely to remain high at $99.64 per barrel even after the conflict ends, as countries will need to restock depleted reserves.
- Geopolitical Risks Escalate: Kuwait Petroleum CEO Sheikh Nawaf al-Sabah stated that Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is not only an attack on Gulf nations but poses a threat to the global economy, potentially causing a domino effect throughout the supply chain.
- Fuel Shortages Spread: Shell CEO Wael Sawan highlighted that jet fuel and diesel prices have surged to $200 and $160 per barrel respectively, with the crisis expected to impact major Asian economies and reach Europe by April, prompting governments to stockpile and protect their supplies.
See More
Impact of Iran War on U.S. Economy Intensifies
- Strait of Hormuz Closure Risk: Iran's attacks on civilian ships and energy infrastructure have led to a near standstill in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening about 20% of global oil supply, and if not reopened within the next three weeks, energy prices could surge, putting pressure on the global economy.
- Oil Price Volatility: Brent crude futures have risen 36% since February 27, while Dubai crude prices have surged 76%, highlighting a significant disparity between paper prices and physical delivery prices, reflecting market concerns over future supply shortages.
- Strategic Reserve Release: The U.S. government plans to release 400 million barrels from its strategic oil reserves, the largest release on record, aimed at alleviating market pressure; however, analysts warn that the effectiveness of this measure will diminish by mid-April, potentially leading to soaring oil prices.
- Market Confidence Erosion: Despite a slight uptick in the S&P 500 amid optimism over Trump's delay of military action, the index fell 3.4% in subsequent days, indicating investor concerns about inflation and interest rate prospects, leading to a significant deterioration in market sentiment.
See More
Oil Executives Anticipate Rising Prices and Increased Investment in Renewables
Impact of the Iran War: The ongoing conflict in Iran is causing significant disruptions to global energy supplies, with the full financial implications yet to be determined.
CERAWeek Insights: Executives from major oil companies shared their perspectives on the situation during the S&P Global annual energy conference held in Houston.
Timeline for Cost Assessment: It may take several months to accurately assess the total costs associated with the energy supply disruptions caused by the war.
Industry Concerns: The uncertainty surrounding energy supply and pricing is a major concern for the oil industry as they navigate the implications of the conflict.
See More
