VIP Exclusive: Middle East Tensions Still Rattling Markets, But Watch with These 5 Stocks

A volatile weekend in the Middle East has markets on edge, with Israel and Iran sending waves of airstrikes back and forth. Tensions are sharply escalating.

Oil surged over 7% on Friday and gained an additional 3% this weekend as traders braced for possible shutdowns in the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point for global energy supply.

Gold climbed to multi-month highs, while equity futures opened higher on Monday despite Friday’s 700-point drop in the Dow.

As safe havens regain momentum and inflation concerns resurface, investors are beginning to reposition.

Here are five stocks with catalysts that may set them apart as markets digest the chaos:

CF Industries | CF

Price: $100.76

When oil moves, fertilizer often follows.

CF Industries, a global leader in nitrogen-based fertilizers, is gaining traction as geopolitical instability drives up input costs and investors seek asset-light commodity exposure.

The stock is up nearly 9% over the past month and 28% year-over-year.

Recent earnings upgrades have contributed to the increase, with consensus EPS rising to $6.82 for 2025, following six upward revisions in the past 60 days.

Fertilizer demand remains sticky, and with natural gas prices trending higher, CF’s pricing power could grow.

Investors seeking cyclical exposure with real assets backing it may view CF as an inflation hedge with upside potential, especially if global food security concerns resurface.

NuScale Power | SMR

Price: $42.52

NuScale, the only small modular reactor (SMR) company with U.S. regulatory approval, is at the center of a rising tide of interest in next-generation nuclear.

Last month’s design approval for its 77 MWe reactor, earlier than expected, triggered a fresh rally.

Revenue last quarter jumped tenfold to $13.4 million, and its $491 million cash pile provides a healthy runway.

SMR’s long-term thesis is straightforward: AI and data centers will require continuous access to clean energy, and nuclear is one of the most viable options.

Add in Trump’s push to quadruple nuclear capacity, and NuScale could be poised for massive public and private sector support.

While still in its early stages and volatile, SMR may be one of the few “picks and shovels” bets on the energy transition that aligns with both technological and policy tailwinds.

Robinhood | HOOD

Price: $76.75

Fresh off a four-year high, Robinhood continues to reward investors with surprising consistency.

The retail brokerage just closed its $200 million acquisition of Bitstamp, expanding its crypto footprint at a time when many competitors are pulling back.

The company now manages $221 billion in assets, up 70% year-over-year, and boasts 25.8 million users.

It’s also rumored to be a potential addition to the S&P 500 eventually, which, if confirmed, could bring significant institutional flows. That news has been put on ice recently, though.

While not without risks (particularly if the S&P buzz fades), Robinhood is increasingly being viewed as a fintech utility, as it is a sticky platform that combines savings, investing, credit, and cryptocurrency.

For investors betting on the continued democratization of finance and growing retail activity in volatile markets, HOOD may be more than just a relic of the meme era.

Visa | V

Price: $355.50

Visa may not be a rocket ship anymore, but it remains one of the most reliable compounders in the market.

With 4.8 billion cards in circulation and acceptance at over 150 million merchants, Visa is the ultimate network effect play.

Geopolitical shocks often fuel a flight to quality, and Visa’s durable earnings growth, global footprint, and digital transaction moat continue to impress.

Revenues and EPS are expected to grow at a 10%+ compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2027, and while the valuation remains rich at 37.5x P/E, many consider it justified.

In short, Visa may not “set you up for life” at these levels, but for long-term accounts seeking low-volatility growth with global exposure, it may still deserve a seat at the table.

Halliburton | HAL

Price: $22.92

Few companies are as tightly linked to geopolitical risk as Halliburton.

As one of the world’s largest oilfield services firms, any spike in oil prices, especially tied to Middle East instability, tends to breathe life into HAL.

Shares rose 4.4% on Friday and could see follow-through as crude oil approaches $76. Analysts are split on the stock.

Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have trimmed their targets in recent months, but others, such as Wells Fargo and Stifel, remain overweight.

The company is forecasting $2.64 in EPS this year, accompanied by a 2.9% dividend yield, a 26% return on equity (ROE), and an 8.2 times price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, all of which suggest that value investors might take another look.

As energy security becomes a top priority for governments and companies alike, Halliburton could see increased contract flow, especially if regional production shifts westward or toward North America.

The renewed conflict between Israel and Iran has opened a new chapter in geopolitical risk, and markets are responding.

Oil is climbing, gold is continuing to surge, and safe-haven names are flashing green.

For investors, this is both a test and an opportunity.

Positioning for uncertainty means favoring asset-backed, inflation-resistant plays and monitoring how momentum shifts between defensive, cyclical, and growth stocks.

Stocks like CF and Halliburton may benefit from hard-asset tailwinds, while NuScale and Robinhood offer thematic upside with policy or market momentum behind them. Visa, as always, provides durable long-term exposure.

Keep your seatbelt fastened. We could be in for a turbulent yet opportunity-filled ride this week.