Investors scored on Iran war's oil market boom. Staying long the trade will get trickier

Skip NavigationMarketsPre-MarketsU.S. MarketsCurrenciesPrediction MarketsCryptocurrencyFutures & CommoditiesBondsFunds & ETFsBusinessEconomyFinanceHealth & ScienceMediaReal EstateEnergyClimateTransportationInvestigationsIndustrialsRetailWealthSportsLifeSmall BusinessInvestingPersonal FinanceFintechFinancial AdvisorsOptions ActionETF StreetBuffett ArchiveEarningsTrader TalkTechCybersecurityAIEnterpriseInternetMediaMobileSocial MediaCNBC Disruptor 50Tech GuidePolitics & PolicyWhite HousePolicyDefenseCongressExpanding OpportunityVideoLatest VideoFull EpisodesLivestreamLive AudioLive TV ScheduleCNBC PodcastsCEO InterviewsCNBC DocumentariesDigital OriginalsWatchlistInvesting ClubTrust PortfolioAnalysisTrade AlertsMeeting VideosHomestretchJim's ColumnsEducationSubscribePROPro NewsJosh BrownMike SantoliCalls of the DayMy PortfolioLivestreamFull EpisodesStock ScreenerMarket ForecastOptions InvestingChart InvestingSubscribeLivestreamMenuMake ItselectUSAINTLLivestreamSearch quotes, news & videosLivestreamWatchlistSIGN INCreate free accountMarketsBusinessInvestingTechPolitics & PolicyVideoWatchlistInvesting ClubPROLivestreamMenu (function() { const userMembershipOnLastVisit = localStorage.getItem("cnbcMeta__cachedUserMembership"); if (!userMembershipOnLastVisit) { // If no user membership is stored, user is likely not logged in. // These users will typically see the banner. return; } const { isPro, isInvestingClubUser } = JSON.parse(userMembershipOnLastVisit); if (!(isPro || isInvestingClubUser)) { // We’re rendering the top banner for users who are not pro or investing club members. return; } // Hide the banner for pro and investing club users. const style = document.createElement("style"); style.id = "top-banner-placeholder-style"; style.innerHTML = "[data-top-banner-placeholder] { display: none; }"; document.head.appendChild(style); })() ETF StrategistETF StreetETF StrategistETF StrategistInvestors scored on Iran war's oil market boom. Staying long the trade will get trickierPublished Sun, Aug 2 20269:00 AM EDTHillary JacksonWATCH LIVEKey PointsBlowout earnings from Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Valero Energy this past week showed how the U.S.-Iran war created massive short-term profits in oil.ETFs targeting oil refiners and crude oil price volatility were among big winners over the past six months.But investing experts caution that geopolitics is a risky trade to bank on and for long-term investors there are other energy themes to consider.In this article@CL.1XLECRAKFollow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNTA sailor observes the oil tanker HELGA, which is moored at one of Iraq's southern offshore oil terminals near Basra, as it prepares to load crude oil, becoming the second vessel to arrive since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, April 24, 2026. Mohammed Aty | ReutersThe past week's earnings from the energy sector demonstrated just how much the U.S.-Iran war has contributed to the short-term performance of major players in the oil market — and to the portfolio gains of investors who targeted stock opportunities in the sector. The sums are massive, but sitting on those gains for too long could be a mistake, according to investing experts.ExxonMobil and Chevron reported quarterly profits on Friday that surged due to the war's impact on oil prices, with Exxon's profits doubling year-over-year to $14.5 billion and Chevron's net income increasing close to 400%."We're kind of firing on all cylinders, which is good, because the world needs it," CEO Mike Wirth told CNBC's Becky Quick on Friday.From April through June, U.S. crude oil futures averaged over $92, a quarterly increase of 27%.The action in refiners has been even stronger. Valero Energy's earnings were up over 400% for the quarter compared to last yea