U.S. Strikes Rattle Oil Markets, and Here Are 5 Stocks That Could Weather the Storm

Investors came into Monday facing a dramatically altered geopolitical landscape.

Over the weekend, the United States launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, jolting global risk sentiment and sending crude oil up nearly 4% in early futures trading.

The market reaction was swift. Dow futures dropped triple digits Sunday night, and S&P 500 futures shed 0.3%.

With Iran threatening retaliation and the Strait of Hormuz under potential threat, volatility could rise as traders reassess energy exposure, inflation expectations, and global risk assets.

This is a highly fluid and evolving situation for stock markets, so it’s essential to stay vigilant.

At the same time, the S&P remains less than 3% off all-time highs, and several industry groups continue to show relative strength.

In this kind of market, individual names with strong fundamentals and timely catalysts are worth watching.

Here are five stocks that caught our attention to start the week:

Never Miss a Stock Alert Again!

We now send our daily picks via SMS too — so you’ll get the same high-conviction ideas, even if you miss the email.

👉 Click here to get stock picks by text and stay in the loop, always.

CarMax | KMX

Price: $67.17

CarMax surged over 6% last Friday after delivering a strong Q1 print that beat EPS estimates by 18%.

The company reported $1.38 in earnings per share, up 38% year-over-year, on revenue of $8.03 billion, representing a 6.2% increase compared to the prior-year period. 

Margins improved to 2.6%, up from 2.0% the previous year, thanks to improved inventory management and favorable pricing.

While long-term growth expectations have tempered (forecast 1.8% annual revenue growth vs. 5.2% for the sector), this quarter signals a more resilient operating base, especially important in a potentially inflationary, oil-driven environment.

KMX has quietly outperformed its peers in the specialty retail sector over the past week.

If macro shocks weigh on new auto affordability, CarMax’s used vehicle platform may benefit from higher relative demand.

Gold Watchlist (Sponsored)

Gold Is Quietly Soaring – Here’s Why

This isn’t just politics—it’s a financial flashpoint.

As Trump and Musk go head-to-head, Wall Street is bracing for chaos: extreme volatility, tighter lending, and rising inflation.

In moments like this, only one asset has a history of surviving it all: gold.

Central banks and billionaires are already stockpiling it—before the fallout begins.

Now’s the time to learn how to legally convert retirement funds into physical gold—tax-free.

Get the FREE Gold IRA Survival Guide Today

Builders FirstSource | BLDR

Price: $119.13

BLDR popped 7.5% Friday following a string of bullish catalysts.

Director Paul Levy purchased over $31 million in shares earlier this month, while analysts reaffirmed confidence in the company’s capital return strategy, including a $500 million buyback announced in May.

While top-line revenue fell 6% year-over-year last quarter, BLDR still beat EPS expectations and posted a standout 21% return on equity.

The building materials provider is highly leveraged to U.S. housing and renovation cycles, but its diversification into manufacturing and value-added services provides some cushion against rate volatility.

Debt levels remain elevated (debt/equity of 1.02), which may limit upside in a higher-rate environment.

But with insiders buying and capital being returned aggressively to shareholders, BLDR could continue to grind higher if sentiment stabilizes.

CNH Industrial | CNH

Price: $12.74

CNH just signed a headline-grabbing partnership with Starlink to bring high-speed satellite internet to its precision farming equipment worldwide. 

That means smarter tractors, real-time field data, and greater adoption of AI-powered agtech, especially in rural regions like Brazil, where connectivity has traditionally lagged.

This could be a defining inflection point for CNH’s digital platform, which already provides remote diagnostics and crop mapping services through FieldOps and FieldXplorer.

With a 1.95% dividend and a forward P/E of just 16, CNH remains a value play with exposure to secular agtech themes.

Investors seeking to hedge against geopolitical and inflation volatility may find CNH’s innovation pipeline appealing, especially with food security concerns resurfacing in the global spotlight.

Gold Surge (Sponsored)

Banks Just Made Gold “Real Money”—Here’s What That Means

This July, a little-known rule goes into effect—forcing Big Banks to rethink what qualifies as “real money.”

Surprisingly, they’re not betting on stocks, bonds, or even the U.S. dollar… they’re going all-in on physical gold.

According to Peter Schiff, it’s now “the only form of money trusted by the banking system.”

Investors tied to traditional accounts like IRAs or 401(k)s may be left behind.

But there’s still time to act.

Download the Free Gold Retirement Guide Before July

Kroger | KR

Price: $74.00

Kroger soared nearly 10% last week after raising its identical sales forecast from 2.25% to 3.25%, a sign that its core grocery business is performing well even as consumers pull back elsewhere.

CFO David Kennerley reaffirmed earnings guidance and capex plans, signaling strong confidence in the operating model.

While Q1 sales were flat year-over-year at $45 billion and net income dipped slightly, the market rewarded KR’s defensive characteristics and steady execution.

With a forward P/E ratio under 16, a 1.78% dividend yield, and a low beta (0.57), Kroger may become a preferred shelter if geopolitical volatility continues to keep oil and food prices elevated.

The stock is now testing resistance near all-time highs, but momentum is clearly back.

Uber Technologies | UBER

Price: $85.24

Uber is back on the expansion trail, launching a new business line, Uber AI Solutions, and striking partnerships ranging from DICK’s Sporting Goods (Uber Eats) to WeRide (autonomous vehicles in Dubai).

These strategic bets may not move the needle individually, but they show Uber’s focus on creating a diversified, tech-forward logistics empire.

Shares are up nearly 39% year-to-date and continue to outperform both the transportation sector and broader market. 

Despite some concerns about saturation in mature ride-hailing markets, Uber’s long-term earnings power could grow if AI tools improve operating efficiency and reduce driver-related costs.

Trading at just 14.7 times trailing earnings, UBER may still have room to run, especially if global trade or energy shocks accelerate demand for delivery and ride-sharing solutions.

With oil prices surging and tensions escalating in the Middle East, the calm that markets enjoyed just a few weeks ago now feels distant.

However, unlike past macroeconomic shocks, this one has emerged amid strong corporate earnings, solid consumer spending, and resilient equity breadth.

That makes stock picking critical.

Names like CarMax and BLDR are showing signs of near-term turnarounds, while KR and CNH offer lower-beta exposure with room to outperform.

And Uber may be laying the groundwork for a broader transformation as tech and transportation converge.