As Trump touts energy companies’ fortunes, U.S. consumers face the most expensive year for gas prices ever
Published . Updated .
President Donald Trump can’t stop touting the fortunes U.S. energy companies have made during the Iran war, while canvassing the country to support Republican candidates ahead of next week’s midterm elections.
Directly affected
- No company is named in this report.
Indirectly affected
- UNG United States Natural Gas Fund-9.2% 30d
United States Natural Gas Fund: it follows natural-gas prices. Linked by “gas prices” (natural gas) in this story.
- XLE Energy Select Sector SPDR+5.6% 30d
Energy Select Sector SPDR: it follows natural-gas prices. Linked by “gas prices” (natural gas) in this story.
- XRT SPDR S&P Retail ETF
SPDR S&P Retail ETF: it holds retailers. Linked by “consumer” (retail and consumer goods) in this story.
- USO United States Oil Fund+2.7% 30d
United States Oil Fund: its price follows crude oil. Linked by “gas prices” (oil) in this story.
- OXY Occidental Petroleum+3.7% 19d
Occidental Petroleum (crude petroleum and natural gas): gas producers and exporters earn more when gas prices rise. Linked by “gas prices” (natural gas) in this story.
- LNG Cheniere Energy+11.0% 30d
Cheniere Energy (natural gas distribution): gas producers and exporters earn more when gas prices rise. Linked by “gas prices” (natural gas) in this story.
- WMT Walmart+11.3% 30d
Walmart (variety stores): retailers move with shopper spending and import costs. Linked by “consumer” (retail and consumer goods) in this story.
- AMZN Amazon.com+0.2% 30d
Amazon.com (catalog and mail-order houses): retailers move with shopper spending and import costs. Linked by “consumer” (retail and consumer goods) in this story.
Price reaction, T-5 to T+3
| Ticker | T-5 | T-3 | T-1 | T0 | T+1 | T+2 | T+3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNGNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| XLE | -0.12% | +1.60% | base | after close | after close | after close | after close |
| XRTNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| USO | -2.37% | +3.62% | base | after close | after close | after close | after close |
| OXYNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| LNGNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| WMTNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AMZNNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Closing-price change versus T-1, the last close before the story. T0 to T+3 fill in after each market close. Prices: Alpaca IEX.
Market Call
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President Donald Trump can’t stop touting the fortunes U.S. energy companies have made during the Iran war, while canvassing the country to support Republican candidates ahead of next week’s midterm elections.
Source: MarketWatch
Defense
| Company | When | Move | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| USO | three days earlier | +3.62% | final price |
| USO | five days earlier | -2.37% | final price |
| XLE | three days earlier | +1.60% | final price |
| XLE | five days earlier | -0.12% | final price |
Trades by members of Congress and officials in the stocks in this story
- Donald J Trump, an executive branch official, bought Occidental Petroleum (OXY), worth $100,001 - $250,000 on 21 Aug 2026. That is 67 days before publication. Filed 8 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Jonathan Jackson sold Walmart (WMT) (jointly held), worth $50,001 - $100,000 on 28 Sep 2026. That is 29 days before publication. Filed 19 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Rohit Khanna bought Walmart (WMT) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 25 Sep 2026. That is 32 days before publication. Filed 7 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Rohit Khanna sold Walmart (WMT) (held by a dependent child), worth $15,001 - $50,000 on 11 Sep 2026. That is 46 days before publication. Filed 7 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Michael T. McCaul sold Amazon Com (AMZN) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 28 Aug 2026. That is 60 days before publication. Filed 14 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Michael T. McCaul sold Amazon Com (AMZN) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 27 Aug 2026. That is 61 days before publication. Filed 14 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Donald J Trump, an executive branch official, bought Amazon Com (AMZN), worth $15,001 - $50,000 on 26 Aug 2026. That is 62 days before publication. Filed 8 Oct 2026. View the filing.
Public disclosure filings, not a recommendation. The filing link is the source document. News use of these reports still sits under 5 U.S.C. § 13107(c).
How solid the defense case looks
12 out of 100
“As Trump touts energy companies’ fortunes, U.S. consumers face the most expensive year for gas prices ever” scores 12 out of 100. The score uses 1 sources.