Surging Oil Prices Impact Stock Futures Volatility
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 18 2026
0mins
Stock futures have been bouncing between slightly lower and higher as surging oil prices, rising bond yields and renewed geopolitical tension in the Middle East weigh on the AI-driven rally that has dominated the year so far.The 30-year Treasury yield climbed above 5.15%, its highest level since before the 2008 financial crisis, while the 10-year Treasury yield rose toward 4.65%. Investors are increasingly worried that inflation is becoming entrenched due to energy prices, persistent fiscal deficits and resilient economic demand. Markets are now pricing in a meaningful possibility that the Federal Reserve could raise rates again later this year instead of cutting them.Brent crude traded above $110 a barrel after fresh drone attacks reportedly struck infrastructure tied to a UAE nuclear facility, intensifying fears about broader disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Traders are increasingly concerned about the risk of sustained supply constraints at a time when global inventories are already tight.Semiconductor and mega-cap tech stocks remain the market's leadership group, but investors are becoming more sensitive to valuations as borrowing costs rise. Analysts are increasingly debating whether AI enthusiasm has become excessive, particularly given the massive capital spending required to sustain the boom. Investors are closely watching results from Nvidia for insight into AI infrastructure demand, while reports from Walmart and Home Depot will offer a read on the health of the consumer amid rising gasoline and borrowing costs.In pre-market trading, S&P 500 futures rose 0.25%, Nasdaq futures gained 0.55% and Dow futures advanced 0.12%.Check out this morning's top movers from around Wall Street, compiled by The Fly.HIGHER -LiveRampup 27% after Publicisentered into an agreement to acquire the company for a total enterprise value of $2.2BDominionup 14% after NextEra Energy and the company announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock transactionBio-Rad Laboratoriesup 8% after The Wall Street Journalactivist investor Elliot Investment Management has built a big stake in the companyFordup 6% after the company and EDF Group announced the signing of a five-year framework agreement under which EDF power solutions will have the ability to procure up to four gigawatt hours of DC Block battery energy storage systems annually, representing a total potential volume of up to 20 GWh over the term of the agreementMacy'sand Delta Air Linesup 3% and 2%, respectively, after Berkshire Hathaway disclosed new positions in the companiesUP AFTER EARNINGS -Baiduup 5%Bradyup 5%DOWN AFTER EARNINGS -Gossamer Biodown 16%Pioneer Powerdown 7%iQiyidown 2%Soluna Holdingsdown 2%LOWER -Regenerondown 11% after reporting its fianlimab trial did not meet the primary endpointNextEra Energydown 1% after the company and Dominionannounced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock transaction
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Analyst Views on D
Wall Street analysts forecast D stock price to fall
12 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
9 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 68.020
Low
59.00
Averages
64.36
High
70.00
Current: 68.020
Low
59.00
Averages
64.36
High
70.00
About D
Dominion Energy, Inc. provides regulated electricity service to approximately 3.6 million homes and businesses in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and regulated natural gas service to over 500,000 customers in South Carolina. It develops and operates regulated offshore wind and solar power and is the producer of carbon-free electricity in New England. Its Dominion Energy Virginia segment includes Virginia Power's regulated electric transmission, distribution and generation operations, which serve homes and businesses in Virginia and North Carolina. Its Dominion Energy South Carolina segment includes DESC's generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to customers in the central, southern and southwestern portions of South Carolina and the distribution of natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers in South Carolina. Its Contracted Energy segment includes nonregulated long-term contracted electric generation fleet and natural gas facilities.
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.
NextEra Energy Acquires Dominion, Creating Power Supermajor
- Acquisition Scale: NextEra Energy's all-stock deal to acquire Dominion for nearly $67 billion introduces regulatory approval uncertainties and integration challenges, yet the long-term benefits could significantly outweigh these short-term risks.
- Market Leadership: Post-merger, NextEra will become the world's largest regulated electric utility, serving approximately 10 million customer accounts and boasting 110 gigawatts of power generation capacity, solidifying its leadership in renewables and battery storage.
- Capital Investment Plan: NextEra plans to invest between $295 billion and $325 billion in capital projects through 2032 to meet surging power demand driven by catalysts like AI data centers, with adjusted earnings per share expected to grow over 8% annually.
- Accelerated Growth Potential: By acquiring Dominion, NextEra can leverage its larger scale to fully capitalize on data center power opportunities, projecting adjusted earnings per share growth of over 9% annually through 2032 while enhancing its credit profile and reducing its dividend payout ratio.
See More
NextEra's Dominion Acquisition Sparks Stock Decline
- Massive Deal: NextEra's all-stock acquisition of Dominion, valued at nearly $67 billion, will create the world's largest electric utility, although shares have fallen over 10% since the announcement, the merger is expected to accelerate the company's growth trajectory in the long run.
- Market Leadership: Post-merger, NextEra will possess approximately 110 gigawatts of power generation capacity and serve about 10 million customer accounts, positioning itself as a leader in renewables and battery storage, thereby enhancing its competitiveness in the rapidly growing power demand market.
- Ambitious Investment Plans: NextEra anticipates investing between $295 billion and $325 billion in capital projects through 2032 to support rising power demand, with an expected adjusted earnings per share growth of over 9% annually, which it plans to sustain through 2035.
- Risks and Opportunities: Despite the merger's regulatory approval uncertainties and integration challenges, NextEra is poised to leverage its scale to capitalize on the power needs of data centers, presenting significant growth potential over the next decade, making the current stock decline potentially a buying opportunity.
See More
U.S. Electric Grid Issues Heighten CEO Pay Controversy
- Grid Reliability Crisis: The mounting reliability issues of the U.S. electric grid have led to rising power bills for millions of households and businesses, with potential upgrade spending exceeding $1 trillion over the next decade, exacerbating the conflict between energy burdens and CEO compensation.
- Surging CEO Pay: According to a Reuters analysis, the CEOs of the 15 largest utility companies hold nearly $993 million in stock-based pay, averaging around $66 million per CEO, highlighting the stark disparity between executive compensation and rising consumer electricity costs.
- Accelerated Market Consolidation: The surge in power demand has prompted NextEra Energy's $67 billion acquisition of Dominion Energy, positioning it as the third-largest energy company in the U.S., which may enhance market competitiveness and drive further industry consolidation.
- Service Disconnection Issues: In 2024, approximately 13.4 million residential customers in the U.S. faced service disconnections due to unpaid bills, illustrating the plight of families under high electricity costs, prompting consumer advocates to call for linking CEO compensation to service reliability to alleviate energy burdens on ordinary households.
See More
Top Dividend Stocks Thrive Amid Inflation
- Dividend Stock Advantage: In an environment of high inflation and rising interest rates, top-tier dividend stocks serve as a safe haven for investors due to their robust business models and consistently growing dividends, particularly those that can compete with bond yields.
- Coca-Cola's Performance: The Coca-Cola Company has increased its dividends for 64 consecutive years, currently boasting a 2.6% dividend yield, and outperformed the S&P 500 during the Fed's rate hikes in 2022, demonstrating strong pricing power and market adaptability.
- Enterprise Products Partners' Stability: Enterprise Products Partners excelled in 2022 with a dividend yield of 5.9%, benefiting from approximately 90% of its long-term contracts containing price escalation clauses, which help maintain profitability in inflationary conditions.
- Dominion Energy's Growth Potential: Although Dominion Energy's stock price fell in 2022, its outlook remains positive due to rapid data center construction and an acquisition deal with NextEra Energy, with a dividend yield of 3.93%, indicating strong future prospects.
See More
Top Dividend Stocks Thrive in Current Market Conditions
- Coca-Cola's Dividend Advantage: The Coca-Cola Company has increased its dividend for 64 consecutive years, with a current yield of 2.6%, providing stable cash flow in a high-inflation environment, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Enterprise Products Partners' Inflation Resilience: Enterprise Products Partners has approximately 90% of its long-term contracts with price escalation clauses, has increased its distribution for 27 consecutive years, and currently offers a distribution yield of about 5.9%, enabling it to achieve double-digit total returns under inflationary pressures.
- Dominion Energy's Market Potential: Despite a poor stock performance in 2022, Dominion Energy benefits from rapid data center construction, and its acquisition price is nearly 15% above its current stock price, indicating significant market value potential.
- Dividend Stocks' Market Performance: During the Fed's rate hikes in 2022, top-tier dividend stocks outperformed the S&P 500, demonstrating their appeal as safe havens, particularly in an environment of rising interest rates and persistent inflation.
See More
NextEra Energy's $67 Billion Acquisition of Dominion Energy Reshapes Utility Landscape
- Major Acquisition Plan: NextEra Energy's announcement of a $67 billion acquisition of Dominion Energy, pending regulatory approval, could create the world's largest utility company, significantly enhancing market competitiveness and triggering a wave of industry consolidation.
- Surging Power Demand: With the artificial intelligence sector's skyrocketing electricity needs, Goldman Sachs predicts U.S. data center electricity consumption will double within a year, making NextEra's acquisition of Dominion strategically vital for ensuring stable power supply.
- Potential Acquisition Target: Vistra is viewed as a likely acquisition target, boasting a generation capacity of 44,000 megawatts, sufficient to power 30 million homes, with a market cap of approximately $50 billion, attracting interest from major utility companies.
- Synergistic Integration: Constellation Energy's strong position in nuclear power could complement Vistra's resources, potentially leading to a strategic partnership that further solidifies their leadership in key markets like Texas and California.
See More
NextEra Energy Acquires Dominion, Creating Power Supermajor
- Acquisition Scale: NextEra Energy's all-stock deal to acquire Dominion for nearly $67 billion introduces regulatory approval uncertainties and integration challenges, yet the long-term benefits could significantly outweigh these short-term risks.
- Market Leadership: Post-merger, NextEra will become the world's largest regulated electric utility, serving approximately 10 million customer accounts and boasting 110 gigawatts of power generation capacity, solidifying its leadership in renewables and battery storage.
- Capital Investment Plan: NextEra plans to invest between $295 billion and $325 billion in capital projects through 2032 to meet surging power demand driven by catalysts like AI data centers, with adjusted earnings per share expected to grow over 8% annually.
- Accelerated Growth Potential: By acquiring Dominion, NextEra can leverage its larger scale to fully capitalize on data center power opportunities, projecting adjusted earnings per share growth of over 9% annually through 2032 while enhancing its credit profile and reducing its dividend payout ratio.
See More
NextEra's Dominion Acquisition Sparks Stock Decline
- Massive Deal: NextEra's all-stock acquisition of Dominion, valued at nearly $67 billion, will create the world's largest electric utility, although shares have fallen over 10% since the announcement, the merger is expected to accelerate the company's growth trajectory in the long run.
- Market Leadership: Post-merger, NextEra will possess approximately 110 gigawatts of power generation capacity and serve about 10 million customer accounts, positioning itself as a leader in renewables and battery storage, thereby enhancing its competitiveness in the rapidly growing power demand market.
- Ambitious Investment Plans: NextEra anticipates investing between $295 billion and $325 billion in capital projects through 2032 to support rising power demand, with an expected adjusted earnings per share growth of over 9% annually, which it plans to sustain through 2035.
- Risks and Opportunities: Despite the merger's regulatory approval uncertainties and integration challenges, NextEra is poised to leverage its scale to capitalize on the power needs of data centers, presenting significant growth potential over the next decade, making the current stock decline potentially a buying opportunity.
See More
U.S. Electric Grid Issues Heighten CEO Pay Controversy
- Grid Reliability Crisis: The mounting reliability issues of the U.S. electric grid have led to rising power bills for millions of households and businesses, with potential upgrade spending exceeding $1 trillion over the next decade, exacerbating the conflict between energy burdens and CEO compensation.
- Surging CEO Pay: According to a Reuters analysis, the CEOs of the 15 largest utility companies hold nearly $993 million in stock-based pay, averaging around $66 million per CEO, highlighting the stark disparity between executive compensation and rising consumer electricity costs.
- Accelerated Market Consolidation: The surge in power demand has prompted NextEra Energy's $67 billion acquisition of Dominion Energy, positioning it as the third-largest energy company in the U.S., which may enhance market competitiveness and drive further industry consolidation.
- Service Disconnection Issues: In 2024, approximately 13.4 million residential customers in the U.S. faced service disconnections due to unpaid bills, illustrating the plight of families under high electricity costs, prompting consumer advocates to call for linking CEO compensation to service reliability to alleviate energy burdens on ordinary households.
See More
Top Dividend Stocks Thrive Amid Inflation
- Dividend Stock Advantage: In an environment of high inflation and rising interest rates, top-tier dividend stocks serve as a safe haven for investors due to their robust business models and consistently growing dividends, particularly those that can compete with bond yields.
- Coca-Cola's Performance: The Coca-Cola Company has increased its dividends for 64 consecutive years, currently boasting a 2.6% dividend yield, and outperformed the S&P 500 during the Fed's rate hikes in 2022, demonstrating strong pricing power and market adaptability.
- Enterprise Products Partners' Stability: Enterprise Products Partners excelled in 2022 with a dividend yield of 5.9%, benefiting from approximately 90% of its long-term contracts containing price escalation clauses, which help maintain profitability in inflationary conditions.
- Dominion Energy's Growth Potential: Although Dominion Energy's stock price fell in 2022, its outlook remains positive due to rapid data center construction and an acquisition deal with NextEra Energy, with a dividend yield of 3.93%, indicating strong future prospects.
See More
Top Dividend Stocks Thrive in Current Market Conditions
- Coca-Cola's Dividend Advantage: The Coca-Cola Company has increased its dividend for 64 consecutive years, with a current yield of 2.6%, providing stable cash flow in a high-inflation environment, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Enterprise Products Partners' Inflation Resilience: Enterprise Products Partners has approximately 90% of its long-term contracts with price escalation clauses, has increased its distribution for 27 consecutive years, and currently offers a distribution yield of about 5.9%, enabling it to achieve double-digit total returns under inflationary pressures.
- Dominion Energy's Market Potential: Despite a poor stock performance in 2022, Dominion Energy benefits from rapid data center construction, and its acquisition price is nearly 15% above its current stock price, indicating significant market value potential.
- Dividend Stocks' Market Performance: During the Fed's rate hikes in 2022, top-tier dividend stocks outperformed the S&P 500, demonstrating their appeal as safe havens, particularly in an environment of rising interest rates and persistent inflation.
See More
NextEra Energy's $67 Billion Acquisition of Dominion Energy Reshapes Utility Landscape
- Major Acquisition Plan: NextEra Energy's announcement of a $67 billion acquisition of Dominion Energy, pending regulatory approval, could create the world's largest utility company, significantly enhancing market competitiveness and triggering a wave of industry consolidation.
- Surging Power Demand: With the artificial intelligence sector's skyrocketing electricity needs, Goldman Sachs predicts U.S. data center electricity consumption will double within a year, making NextEra's acquisition of Dominion strategically vital for ensuring stable power supply.
- Potential Acquisition Target: Vistra is viewed as a likely acquisition target, boasting a generation capacity of 44,000 megawatts, sufficient to power 30 million homes, with a market cap of approximately $50 billion, attracting interest from major utility companies.
- Synergistic Integration: Constellation Energy's strong position in nuclear power could complement Vistra's resources, potentially leading to a strategic partnership that further solidifies their leadership in key markets like Texas and California.
See More
