West Virginians footing the bill for war and big oil
Published . Updated .
Covered by 2 outlets: West Virginia Watch, News From The States.
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It’s a common misconception that the president of the United States has a significant impact on the price of gas at the pump.
Directly affected
- No company is named in this report.
Indirectly affected
- USO United States Oil Fund-5.0% 30d
United States Oil Fund: its price follows crude oil. Linked by “oil” (oil) in this story.
- XLE Energy Select Sector SPDR+6.9% 30d
Energy Select Sector SPDR: its price follows crude oil. Linked by “oil” (oil) in this story.
- ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF+1.1% 30d
iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF: it holds defense and aerospace contractors. Linked by “war” (defense) in this story.
- UNG United States Natural Gas Fund-19.6% 30d
United States Natural Gas Fund: it follows natural-gas prices. Linked by “gas” (natural gas) in this story.
- XOM ExxonMobil Holdings-2.7% 17d
ExxonMobil Holdings (petroleum refining): oil producers' profits rise and fall with crude prices. Linked by “oil” (oil) in this story.
- CVX Chevron+5.5% 30d
Chevron (petroleum refining): oil producers' profits rise and fall with crude prices. Linked by “oil” (oil) in this story.
- COP ConocoPhillips+3.9% 19d
ConocoPhillips (petroleum refining): oil producers' profits rise and fall with crude prices. Linked by “oil” (oil) in this story.
- SHEL Shell+3.5% 11d
Shell (crude petroleum and natural gas): oil producers' profits rise and fall with crude prices. Linked by “oil” (oil) in this story.
Price reaction, T-5 to T+3
| Ticker | T-5 | T-3 | T-1 | T0 | T+1 | T+2 | T+3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USO | +13.96% | +6.75% | base | after close | after close | after close | after close |
| XLE | +13.47% | +8.12% | base | after close | after close | after close | after close |
| ITA | +2.67% | +5.93% | base | after close | after close | after close | after close |
| UNGNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| XOM | +13.27% | +7.37% | base | after close | after close | after close | after close |
| CVX | +10.62% | +5.78% | base | after close | after close | after close | after close |
| COP | +13.68% | +6.58% | base | after close | after close | after close | after close |
| SHEL | +8.57% | +4.08% | base | after close | after close | after close | after close |
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.
West Virginians footing the bill for war and big oil West Virginia Watch
Source: West Virginia Watch
Energy
| Company | When | Move | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| COP | three days earlier | +6.58% | final price |
| COP | five days earlier | +13.68% | final price |
| CVX | three days earlier | +5.78% | final price |
| CVX | five days earlier | +10.62% | final price |
| ITA | three days earlier | +5.93% | final price |
| ITA | five days earlier | +2.67% | final price |
| SHEL | three days earlier | +4.08% | final price |
| SHEL | five days earlier | +8.57% | final price |
| USO | three days earlier | +6.75% | final price |
| USO | five days earlier | +13.96% | final price |
| XLE | three days earlier | +8.12% | final price |
| XLE | five days earlier | +13.47% | final price |
| XOM | three days earlier | +7.37% | final price |
| XOM | five days earlier | +13.27% | final price |
Trades by members of Congress and officials in the stocks in this story
- Rep. Pete Sessions sold ExxonMobil Holdings (XOM), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 14 Oct 2026. That is 23 days before publication. Filed 27 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Kevin Hern sold ExxonMobil Holdings (XOM) (jointly held), worth $100,001 - $250,000 on 31 Aug 2026. That is 67 days before publication. Filed 25 Sep 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Pete Sessions sold Chevron (CVX), worth $15,001 - $50,000 on 14 Oct 2026. That is 23 days before publication. Filed 27 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Kevin Hern sold Chevron (CVX) (jointly held), worth $15,001 - $50,000 on 23 Sep 2026. That is 44 days before publication. Filed 13 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar bought Chevron (CVX), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 2 Sep 2026. That is 65 days before publication. Filed 7 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Michael T. McCaul sold Conocophillips (COP) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 26 Aug 2026. That is 72 days before publication. Filed 14 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Michael T. McCaul sold Conocophillips (COP) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 24 Aug 2026. That is 74 days before publication. Filed 14 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Donald J Trump, an executive branch official, bought Conocophillips (COP), worth $1,000,001 - $5,000,000 on 21 Aug 2026. That is 77 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 “West Virginians footing the bill for war and big oil” looks
25 out of 100
“West Virginians footing the bill for war and big oil” scores 25 out of 100. The score uses 2 sources.