Impact of War on Metal Markets
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 02 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Aluminum Surge: Since the onset of the war, aluminum futures have surged nearly 12%, indicating strong market demand that may reflect supply chain tensions and investor optimism about future needs.
- Precious Metals Decline: In stark contrast to aluminum, gold futures have fallen about 9%, while silver, palladium, and platinum futures have dropped between 17% and 19%, suggesting a waning interest in safe-haven assets and potential for increased market volatility.
- Tariff Impact: One year after Trump's tariff announcement, Walmart's stock has risen nearly 40%, and Tesla's shares have soared about 35%, indicating that some companies have successfully adapted to policy changes, while Best Buy's 15% decline highlights the varied impacts across different firms.
- Jobless Claims Expectations: Initial jobless claims are expected to reach 212,000, with a trade deficit forecast of $62 billion, up from last month's $54.46 billion, reflecting the complexities of economic recovery and market focus on upcoming economic data.
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Analyst Views on CHRW
Wall Street analysts forecast CHRW stock price to fall
20 Analyst Rating
14 Buy
5 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 178.130
Low
85.00
Averages
167.65
High
210.00
Current: 178.130
Low
85.00
Averages
167.65
High
210.00
About CHRW
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. is a global logistics provider. The Company's segments include North American Surface Transportation (NAST), Global Forwarding, and All Other and Corporate. NAST segment provides transportation and logistics services across North America through a network of offices in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. NAST segment’s services include truckload and less than truckload transportation brokerage services. Global Forwarding segment provides transportation and logistics services through an international network of offices in North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, South America, and the Middle East and also contracts with independent agents worldwide. Global Forwarding segment’s services include ocean freight services, air freight services, and customs brokerage. All Other and Corporate segment includes Robinson Fresh and Managed Solutions. Robinson Fresh provides sourcing services. In its Managed Solutions business, it often acts as the shipper’s agent.
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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- Oppenheimer Upgrades Rubrik: Oppenheimer upgraded Rubrik from Perform to Outperform with a price target of $85, based on strong checks from value-added resellers, highlighting the product's competitive strength in the market.
- UBS Upgrades Packaging Corp: UBS upgraded Packaging Corp from Neutral to Buy, expecting the $50/ton price hike to stick, which, combined with high utilization and prior capacity cuts, could add approximately $290 million in annualized EBITDA.
- Deutsche Bank Upgrades Humana: Deutsche Bank believes there is still time to buy shares of Humana, upgrading its rating to Buy, as it anticipates a new rally in managed care organizations that is just beginning.
See More
Jefferies Upgrades C.H. Robinson Rating After Management Visit
- Rating Upgrade: Jefferies upgraded its rating on C.H. Robinson after visiting the company's headquarters, with analyst Stephanie Moore identifying a compelling entry point following six months of share price underperformance.
- Confidence in Transformation: Moore emphasized that the technology and productivity transformation at C.H. Robinson is still in its early stages, and the post-Montgomery regulatory environment structurally favors larger brokers, positioning the company as a natural consolidator.
- Attractive Relative Discount: The stock is currently trading at a relative discount compared to best-in-class peers, offering investors exposure to a business that has structurally re-rated its cost structure and has a clear path to significant earnings power expansion at the cycle inflection.
- Price Target Setting: Jefferies assigned a price target of $195 for C.H. Robinson, indicating an 18% upside potential, and shares of CHRW rose 2.2% in premarket trading, reflecting a positive market reaction to the upgrade.
See More
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- Rating Upgrade: Jefferies upgraded C.H. Robinson from hold to buy and raised its price target from $195 to $200, indicating a 16% upside potential, reflecting increased confidence in the company's future performance.
- Enhanced Financial Flexibility: Analysts highlighted that C.H. Robinson's investment-grade balance sheet and strong free cash flow provide the financial flexibility to pursue M&A opportunities while continuing to invest in technology and return capital to shareholders.
- Technological Transformation Advantage: The company is undergoing a technological and productivity transformation, with a new enterprise architecture capable of supporting 10 times volume growth without significant additional headcount or support investments, giving C.H. Robinson a competitive edge.
- Market Rebound Expectations: Despite a nearly 9% decline in stock price due to rising truckload spot rates, analysts believe that a recovery in the freight market into 2027 and beyond will significantly enhance C.H. Robinson's earnings potential, setting the stage for a strong rebound.
See More
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- Tech Sector Weakness: Nasdaq 100 futures are down over 1.5%, indicating weakness in tech stocks, while U.S. WTI crude oil prices have risen 3% to $104 per barrel, and market interest rates are also climbing, with the 10-year Treasury yield surpassing 4.56% and the 30-year yield reaching 5.1%, which could exert pressure on the stock market.
- Applied Materials Strong Quarter: Applied Materials reported a robust quarterly performance, beating both revenue and earnings expectations, yet its inability to increase machine and tool output has kept supplies tight; Citi raised its price target from $520 to $550, but the stock still fell 2%, reflecting market concerns about the semiconductor sector.
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See More
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- Increased Liability Risk: The Supreme Court's ruling in Montgomery vs. Caribe Transport II exposes freight brokers to accident liabilities, which is expected to increase insurance coverage and potentially squeeze out smaller brokers with precarious financials, thereby reshaping the industry landscape.
- C.H. Robinson's Advantage: Despite the new ruling, C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) anticipates modest direct financial impact, with analyst Ariel Rosa upgrading the stock from Hold to Buy with a $199 price target, indicating a 25% upside from Thursday's closing price, suggesting the market adjustment presents a buying opportunity.
- Market Dynamics Shift: Rising insurance costs will pressure freight rates, while enhanced safety measures will create a larger moat for larger brokers and asset-based carriers, likely pushing non-compliant brokers and carriers out of the market.
- Operational Efficiency Gains: C.H. Robinson has demonstrated strong performance in recent quarters, with Lean AI adoption driving efficiency improvements, and earnings are expected to scale as the freight cycle inflection leads to contractual rate increases and operating leverage drives profitability.
See More
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- RXO Upgrade: Stifel upgraded RXO from hold to buy, citing a favorable market setup emerging into the latter half of 2026, particularly at the intersection of improving brokerage fundamentals and unique idiosyncratic levers, indicating potential growth opportunities.
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