The hottest trade of the year so far isn't AI. It's tanker stocks — Tanker stocks have become the best-performing trade of 2026, with the SonicShares Global Shipping (BOAT) ETF up 35% in Q3 and 63% year-to-date, far outpacing the tech sector (XLK up 3% in Q3 and 36% YTD). Key performers (CNBC, 2026-09-30)
Oil Prices Rise as U.S.-Iran Talks Remain Uncertain — Oil prices increased Tuesday as markets balanced geopolitical uncertainty surrounding U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations against stabilizing crude supply from the Middle East. The potential for diplomatic talks to either s (The Wall Street Journal, 2026-09-29)
COMMENTARY: Cash-rich oil majors face post-Iran strategy rethink: Bousso — The five largest Western oil companies are expected to report combined third-quarter profits of around $53 billion, up from $48 billion in the second quarter, driven by record refining margins with benchmark US crack spr (Reuters, 2026-09-28)
Saudi Arabia Spent Months Trying to Bypass Hormuz. Now There's No Way Around It. — Saudi Arabia is resuming oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz after months of using a Red Sea bypass route, which has now been disrupted by attacks. The desert pipeline alternative, built to circumvent the strait, (The Wall Street Journal, 2026-09-22)
Oil Prices Fall for Fourth Day as Supply Concerns Ease -- 2nd Update — Oil prices fell for the fourth consecutive day Monday, with Brent crude declining 3.4% to $100.34 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate dropping 4.5% to $95.78 per barrel, reaching their lowest closes since September 8. (Morningstar, 2026-09-21)
Trafigura Creates New Shipping Unit as Tanker Rates Soar — Trafigura, a major global commodity trader, has launched a new shipping unit called Volare Shipping to own and operate a fleet of oil tankers. The move comes amid a global supply crunch for supertankers, which has driven (The Wall Street Journal, 2026-09-21)
Trafigura Creates Volare Shipping, Plans Oslo Listing — Trafigura has launched Volare Shipping, an oil shipping business, and plans to sell a roughly $500 million stake ahead of a potential Oslo listing. The move comes as tanker rates have surged to record highs following Mid (The Wall Street Journal, 2026-09-21)