Halliburton, Valero and 3 More Stocks Set Up for a Fragile Hormuz Truce
Brent crude has fallen over 20% in the past month as the Strait of Hormuz reopens after nearly four months of disruption, boosting stocks like Halliburton and Valero that are positioned for a fragile truce.
Brent crude has fallen more than 20% in the past month, sliding from triple digits during the worst of the Iran war to around $72 a barrel today, while WTI sits near $70. The sharp decline reflects the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint that carries roughly a fifth of the world's seaborne oil, after nearly four months of effective closure following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. Iran mined the strait and fired on tankers, disrupting global energy flows.
For energy traders, the fragile truce in the Strait of Hormuz has immediate implications for crude and LNG supply chains. The reopening eases fears of a prolonged supply crunch, but the truce remains tenuous, with risks of renewed hostilities. Stocks like Halliburton (oilfield services) and Valero (refining) are seen as positioned to benefit from resumed operations and lower geopolitical risk premiums. For the latest real-time fuel quotes, traders can check NowPrice's live oil and gas prices.
Looking ahead, the key question is whether the truce holds. Any escalation could quickly reverse the price decline. Traders should monitor diplomatic developments and any signs of renewed mining or attacks in the strait. Additionally, OPEC+ production decisions and US inventory data will be critical in determining whether the current price levels are sustainable. The next few weeks will test the fragility of the Hormuz ceasefire.