Oil Prices Surge to $83 per Barrel as Natural Gas Issues Worsen.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 03 2026
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Should l Buy CVX?
Source: Barron's
- Oil Price Increase: Oil prices rose on Tuesday, continuing the upward trend from Monday due to escalating conflict in the Middle East.
- Natural Gas Price Spike: There was also a significant increase in natural gas prices, contributing to global market concerns.
- Market Reactions: The combination of rising oil and natural gas prices has created anxiety in global markets.
- Potential Energy Shock: Analysts are worried about the possibility of an energy shock resulting from the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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Analyst Views on CVX
Wall Street analysts forecast CVX stock price to fall
19 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 187.020
Low
158.00
Averages
176.95
High
206.00
Current: 187.020
Low
158.00
Averages
176.95
High
206.00
About CVX
Chevron Corporation is an integrated energy company. The Company produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance its business and industry. The Company’s segments include Upstream and Downstream. Upstream operations consist primarily of exploring for, developing, producing and transporting crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation and regasification associated with LNG; transporting crude oil by major international oil export pipelines; processing, transporting, storage and marketing of natural gas; carbon capture and storage; and a gas-to-liquids plant. Downstream operations consist primarily of the refining of crude oil into petroleum products; marketing crude oil, refined products, and lubricants; manufacturing and marketing of renewable fuels, and transporting of crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment and rail car.
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.
- Rising Gas Prices Context: The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran war has pushed U.S. gas prices to $4.078 per gallon in April, the highest since 2022, creating economic strain on consumers.
- Energy Conservation Advocacy: Chevron's president of downstream, midstream, and chemicals, Andy Walz, encourages Americans to drive less and conserve energy, emphasizing that energy-saving practices are essential to cope with the challenges posed by high fuel prices.
- Long-Term Outlook: Walz warns that high global oil prices make it unlikely for U.S. gas prices to decrease in the short term, stating there is no
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- Chevron's Strong Position: Chevron is benefiting significantly from the risks associated with Middle Eastern oil supplies, with its robust operations in the Permian Basin making it a top choice among Wall Street analysts, especially as its low-cost production ensures funding for dividends and capital expenditures even if oil prices fall to around $50 per barrel.
- ExxonMobil's Growth Outlook: As the world's second-largest energy company, ExxonMobil expects to increase its earnings by $25 billion by 2030 and generate an additional $35 billion in free cash flow, showcasing its strong market position and financial health, which appeals to income investors.
- Energy Transfer's Rising Demand: While Energy Transfer's revenue isn't directly driven by oil and gas prices, the disruption in Middle Eastern supply has increased demand for U.S. oil and gas, with the company operating over 140,000 miles of pipeline and transporting 32 million BTUs of natural gas and 7 million barrels of crude oil daily, expecting long-term distribution growth of 3% to 5%.
- Investor Focus: Amid the uncertainty in the Middle East, Wall Street analysts are increasingly focused on energy stocks like Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Energy Transfer, although the Motley Fool analyst team suggests there are 10 other stocks with greater investment potential, urging investors to choose wisely.
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- Leadership Transition: Warren Buffett officially retired on December 31, 2025, with Greg Abel taking over the day-to-day operations of Berkshire Hathaway, managing a $318 billion investment portfolio, marking a significant shift in the company's leadership.
- Portfolio Concentration: Abel inherited a portfolio where the top ten holdings account for 79% of invested assets, with Apple representing $59.4 billion or 18.7% of total investments, indicating a strong reliance on core assets.
- Capital Return Strategy: All of Berkshire's top ten holdings pay dividends, with Coca-Cola yielding an impressive 63% annually, reflecting Abel's continuation of Buffett's focus on capital returns to enhance shareholder value.
- Value Investment Principle: Abel emphasizes the importance of value in managing the portfolio, recently selling approximately 75% of Berkshire's Apple shares, indicating that maintaining the portfolio's value is a top priority in the face of high valuations.
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- Oil Supply Risks: The U.S. and Israel's attacks on Iran have disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, causing turmoil in global energy markets, prompting investors to monitor oil price fluctuations and their impact on energy stocks.
- Chevron's Stability: Chevron (CVX) stands out due to its strong operations in the Permian Basin, with expectations of over 10% annual growth in earnings per share and free cash flow, alongside a 39-year streak of dividend increases, reflecting its financial robustness amid Middle East oil supply risks.
- ExxonMobil's Growth Potential: As the world's second-largest energy company, ExxonMobil (XOM) anticipates a $25 billion increase in earnings by 2030 and an additional $35 billion in free cash flow, with a 43-year history of dividend growth attracting income investors.
- Energy Transfer's Market Demand: Energy Transfer (ET) benefits from rising U.S. oil and gas demand due to Middle Eastern supply disruptions, with its extensive pipeline network positioning it favorably in the market, and management expects a long-term distribution growth rate of 3% to 5%.
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- Portfolio Transition: Following Warren Buffett's retirement on December 31, 2025, Greg Abel inherited a $318 billion investment portfolio, facing the challenge of a highly concentrated and brand-heavy asset base while committing to uphold Buffett's investment philosophy.
- Capital Return Strategy: All of Berkshire's top ten holdings feature robust capital return programs, with each company paying dividends; Coca-Cola boasts an impressive 63% annual yield, underscoring Abel's dedication to maintaining shareholder value.
- Long-Term Holding Strategy: In his first shareholder letter, Abel classified Apple and Moody's as 'indefinite holdings,' indicating confidence in their long-term prospects, despite Berkshire having sold approximately 75% of its Apple stake in the past two years.
- Value Investment Principle: Both Abel and Buffett emphasize the importance of securing good deals, as evidenced by Berkshire's recent reductions in holdings, reflecting sensitivity to market valuations, particularly when bank stocks trade above book value.
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- Market Surge: Global equities have surged, with the S&P 500 rising 0.80% and the Nasdaq Composite gaining 1.59%, both reaching record highs amid optimism surrounding the first direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in over 30 years, indicating strong investor confidence in market prospects.
- Japan's Performance: The Nikkei 225 index hit a new high, driven by a broader rally in Asian markets, particularly in technology and consumer cyclical stocks, reflecting investor confidence in the region's economic recovery.
- China's Economic Growth: China's GDP grew by 5% in the first quarter, exceeding economists' forecast of 4.8%, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics, showcasing the resilience of the Chinese economy despite potential global demand shocks from the Iran conflict.
- World Bank Caution: The World Bank president cautioned in an interview that economic disruptions related to conflicts could last for months, even if the current fragile ceasefire holds, posing a potential threat to global economic recovery.
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