We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Diplomatic Breakthrough: Stocks Surge on Iran Deal Hopes?
Stocks Jump on Iran Deal Hopes
Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that the United States is in the 'final stages' of talks with Iran (according to the Pool Report). Work is underway to finalize the text of a Washington-Tehran agreement, according to Al Hadath sources, with negotiations advancing in earnest. Sources say a final deal could be announced within hours, suggesting key diplomatic steps are nearing completion.
For months, the conflict in the Middle East has induced liquidity, unexpected 'tape bombs', uncertainty, and higher energy prices. However, until an actual deal is signed, investors should take these headlines with a grain of salt. Prior to Wednesday's deal hopes, the U.S and Iran have reportedly been close to a deal several times before Iran later backed out.
Strait of Hormuz Sees Relief
Before the current ceasefire between Iran and the United States, the U.S. military decimated the majority of the Iranian Navy and military forces. However, although Iran does not have a military that can compete with the U.S., it caused havoc in the Strait of Hormuz by using small, heavily armed boats, unmanned drones, and mines. That said, the U.S. recently countered Iran's aggression by creating a naval blockade on the critical chokepoint.
On Wednesday, oil bears finally got some positive news. According to the Marine Traffic tracker, ships are suddenly surging through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, according to Bloomberg, NATO is discussing deploying troops in the Strait of Hormuz to help ships pass through the waterway if it is not reopened by early July. After printing fresh 52-week highs yesterday, the US Oil Fund ETF, dove 5% triggering a false breakout.
As the Wall Street adage goes, "From false moves come fast moves." Additionally, a surge in U.S. oil exports could help to quell energy prices. Last week, the U.S. exported 5.6 million barrels of oil, the 2nd-highest ever.
Equities Find Support, Break Out of Bull Flags
Outside of oil, AI stocks continued to shred higher. Arm Holdings jumped more than 15% to a fresh all-time high. Astera Labs also hit fresh highs after presenting at a conference yesterday and offering Wall Street a bullish outlook. However, NVIDIA will report earnings tonight. Because NVDA is the largest publicly traded company and is the premier AI bellwether, Wall Street investors will be monitoring its earnings release closely.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, while Wednesday's rapid-fire headlines provided a welcome relief valve for a market bogged down by geopolitical friction, the real test of endurance lies ahead. If history is any indication, "false moves" in oil can lead to incredibly swift structural shifts in the market, especially as historic U.S. crude exports loom in the wings to cap energy prices. For now, equities have successfully found their footing, but investors must balance this newfound geopolitical optimism with the immediate fundamental reality of NVIDIA's earnings tonight, which will undoubtedly dictate the next major macro leg for Wall Street.
Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Zacks' 7 Best Strong Buy Stocks (New Research Report)
Valued at $99, click below to receive our just-released report
predicting the 7 stocks that will soar highest in the coming month.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights: USO, Arm, Astera Labs and NVIDIA
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – May 21, 2026 – Today, Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights US Oil Fund ETF (USO - Free Report) , Arm Holdings (ARM - Free Report) , Astera Labs (ALAB - Free Report) and NVIDIA (NVDA - Free Report) .
Diplomatic Breakthrough: Stocks Surge on Iran Deal Hopes?
Stocks Jump on Iran Deal Hopes
Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that the United States is in the 'final stages' of talks with Iran (according to the Pool Report). Work is underway to finalize the text of a Washington-Tehran agreement, according to Al Hadath sources, with negotiations advancing in earnest. Sources say a final deal could be announced within hours, suggesting key diplomatic steps are nearing completion.
For months, the conflict in the Middle East has induced liquidity, unexpected 'tape bombs', uncertainty, and higher energy prices. However, until an actual deal is signed, investors should take these headlines with a grain of salt. Prior to Wednesday's deal hopes, the U.S and Iran have reportedly been close to a deal several times before Iran later backed out.
Strait of Hormuz Sees Relief
Before the current ceasefire between Iran and the United States, the U.S. military decimated the majority of the Iranian Navy and military forces. However, although Iran does not have a military that can compete with the U.S., it caused havoc in the Strait of Hormuz by using small, heavily armed boats, unmanned drones, and mines. That said, the U.S. recently countered Iran's aggression by creating a naval blockade on the critical chokepoint.
On Wednesday, oil bears finally got some positive news. According to the Marine Traffic tracker, ships are suddenly surging through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, according to Bloomberg, NATO is discussing deploying troops in the Strait of Hormuz to help ships pass through the waterway if it is not reopened by early July. After printing fresh 52-week highs yesterday, the US Oil Fund ETF, dove 5% triggering a false breakout.
As the Wall Street adage goes, "From false moves come fast moves." Additionally, a surge in U.S. oil exports could help to quell energy prices. Last week, the U.S. exported 5.6 million barrels of oil, the 2nd-highest ever.
Equities Find Support, Break Out of Bull Flags
Outside of oil, AI stocks continued to shred higher. Arm Holdings jumped more than 15% to a fresh all-time high. Astera Labs also hit fresh highs after presenting at a conference yesterday and offering Wall Street a bullish outlook. However, NVIDIA will report earnings tonight. Because NVDA is the largest publicly traded company and is the premier AI bellwether, Wall Street investors will be monitoring its earnings release closely.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, while Wednesday's rapid-fire headlines provided a welcome relief valve for a market bogged down by geopolitical friction, the real test of endurance lies ahead. If history is any indication, "false moves" in oil can lead to incredibly swift structural shifts in the market, especially as historic U.S. crude exports loom in the wings to cap energy prices. For now, equities have successfully found their footing, but investors must balance this newfound geopolitical optimism with the immediate fundamental reality of NVIDIA's earnings tonight, which will undoubtedly dictate the next major macro leg for Wall Street.
Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.
Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
See Stocks Free >>
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
https://www.zacks.com
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.