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Oracle clawed back some of this year’s losses tied to fears of AI disruption, posting its best day since last September.On Monday, the cloud company’s shares jumped 12.7% to $155.62 after Oracle pitched AI tools for utilities at its Customer Edge Summit in Austin, a corner of the AI market where the promised payoff is easier to measure.Oracle’s Utilities Opower platform helped residential utility customers save $369 million in 2025, the company said in materials released Monday. On its website, the cloud-services giant says the product has delivered 3 billion personalized communications, 100 million high-bill alerts and 41 terawatt-hours of energy savings from 2009 through May 2025.But more than just AI, Oracle was pitching utility plumbing.Oracle said the new tools are designed to help utilities handle routine problems more efficiently, from billing issues to grid disruptions. The pitch was straightforward and aimed at companies looking for practical fixes.Power-hungry AIThis comes at a time when utilities are being squeezed from both directions – customers still care about affordability, while the AI boom is driving a new scramble for electricity.U.S. power consumption hit a record in 2025, and the Energy Information Administration expects fresh records in 2026 and 2027.Data centers could consume 9% to 17% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030, according to an EPRI analysis published in February.In that context, software that promises better management of infrastructure and logistics starts to look less like a niche product and more like part of the industry’s survival kit.Being part of SaaSFor Oracle, the bounce also came with some baggage.Even after Monday’s rally, the shares were still down about 21% this year and roughly 54% below their September 2025 closing high.In February, the company said it expected to raise $45 billion to $50 billion in 2026 through a mix of debt and equity to build more cloud capacity.Oracle also got a lift from improving investor sentiment Monday, as the broader market saw hope in a future peace deal between Iran and the U.S.Software stocks went into selloff mode this year after shockwaves from the Citrini report sparked concerns that AI could render some SaaS business models obsolete.In recent months, though, tech executives have called those fears “overblown.”Related: Oracle stock dividend under threat amid massive AI push

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Why we love this dealWhen the weather is warm and the daylight lasts longer, it’s only natural to want to spend as much time as possible outdoors. It’s sort of a way of making up for the time we didn’t get to enjoy outside during those cold, winter months. Even something as simple as your morning cup of coffee or your nightly family dinner seems so much better when you get to enjoy it outside, and nothing helps you do that better than a great outdoor furniture set like the Hokku Designs Melisa Patio Dining Set. Now that it’s 14% off right now at Wayfair, you can get the high-quality multipiece purchase for an affordable price that won’t set you back too much. Usually priced at $185, you can score it for just $160, and be relieved that you secured a UV-resistant and waterproof patio set that’s built to last and resistant to rusting, scratching, and fading. Hokku Designs Melisa Patio Dining Set, $160 (was $185) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

Shop at WayfairWhy do shoppers love it?The five-piece dining set is certainly a more simple option in appearance, but it’s perfect for the person who wants something sleek, sturdy, and effective. Constructed from a powder-coated steel frame, the chairs and table are designed for outdoor all-weather conditions. The steel is what gives the chairs and table a solid, sturdy build.  Meanwhile the powder coating, which is usually polyester or epoxy that’s baked onto the steel, creates a hard, protective barrier that makes the metal highly resistant to rusting, scratching, chipping, and fading from exposure to the elements or the sun. The chairs, four in total, each have a PVC-coated polyester fabric along the seating area that’s waterproof and UV-resistant, offering great strength and longevity. Research shows that it can last between five to 10 years all while resisting abrasion, mold, and freezing. The table is topped with a 5-millimeter thick hydrographic glass, created using a specific water transfer printing process for an intricate design that’s resistant to wear and tear, even with lots of sun exposure. Each chair can hold up to 330 pounds. The sitting area measures 19.6 inches off the ground, with a set width of 17.7 inches long and 17.7 inches wide. The backrest height is 22.4 inches.  The chairs also have a 90-degree backrest angle that provides support while still feeling comfortable on your back and waist. The table measures 28.3 inches high, 31.3 inches long, and 31.3 inches wide. It can withstand a weight of 110 pounds. There is a hole in the center for an umbrella. Related: Wayfair is selling a $277 5-piece patio lounge set with matching ottomansWhat’s great about this set is that it can be easily stored. The four chairs are stackable, allowing you to consolidate and save space when necessary. What to expect from a $160 dining set: Pros and consProsQuality construction: The entire set is made from powder-coated steel, PVC-coated polyester fabric, and hydrographic glass, all which provide durability, stability, and contribute to the set’s long-lasting quality.  Space-saving: The stackable chairs make the set easy to consolidate and store when necessary. Super sturdy: The table has a weight limit of 110 pounds and each chair can hold up to 330 pounds. ConsAssembly required: The set comes with detailed instructions on how to assemble the set. Shoppers say that it is fairly low maintenance. Although this five-piece set requires assembly, shoppers find it fairly easy and not too time consuming. Overall, shoppers say that the set is perfect for the backyard, and looks absolutely beautiful. “Attractive and sturdy,” one shopper said. It’s the perfect size for a backyard area, patio, or deck without completely overloading your space. “The perfect addition to our space,” another shopper said. Shop more deals Brayden Studio 4-Person Patio Conversation Set, $560 (was $1,008) at WayfairLark Manor Armyn 3-Piece Outdoor Rocking Patio Set, $138 (was $160) at WayfairBay Isle Home Virgie 2-Person Patio Conversation Set, $163 (was $206) at WayfairPatio sets can cost a fortune, but you don’t have to splurge to get something long-lasting and stylish. Thanks to Wayfair’s sale, you can get the five-piece Hokku Designs Melisa Patio Dining Set without going overboard and with the confidence that it’ll last for multiple years to come. 

Congress returns to Washington this week with still no word as to when Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh will appear before the Senate Banking Committee as President Donald Trump’s pick to replace his nemesis Jerome Powell.The hearings, originally expected to begin in March, have been left off the committee’s calendar once again as of April 13.But when that day finally arrives, Warsh, a former Fed governor once known for his hawkish views on monetary policy, can expect a slew of questions (and some pretty harsh ones from both parties) in his attempt to ​succeed Powell when his term as leader concludes in May.Questions will arise about the Federal Reserve’s role, how it functions, and its impact on the economy, prices, and the workforce.USAFacts, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make government data accessible and understandable for the American public, published a March 2026 brief focused on the Fed Chair nomination process and derived a series of eight questions for Warsh from it. (You can read the details here for free.) What do current economic trends indicate? The Federal Reserve is charged with a dual mandate of promoting stable prices and maximum employment. The latest Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index indicates that annual inflation is at 2.8% as of February 2026, above the Fed’s informal target of 2%. More Federal Reserve:Fidelity delivers sobering interest-rate message amid Fed pauseAdditionally, the unemployment rate has risen from 3.4% in April 2023 to 4.3% today, and payroll employment has fallen in five of the last 12 months.So Warsh, a 55-year-old lawyer, can expect to be grilled on the following: What do you think are the reasons that inflation has persisted and that the labor market has weakened in recent years?As Fed chair, what steps would you take to slow inflation and strengthen the labor market?How has economic data informed the Fed’s monetary policy decisions through events of the past two decades, such as the Great Recession, the COVID-19 economic crisis, and pandemic-era inflation?

How valid is the Fed’s use of economic data?The Fed relies extensively on economic data published by the federal statistical agencies when making monetary policy decisions. This has widespread ramifications for interest rates, economic growth, the job market, and consumer prices. Ensuring the U.S. government’s data remains objective, timely, reliable, and easy to access is essential for enabling the Fed to make effective decisions. The government statistical agencies have come under repeated fire, especially during the DOGE period, for using outdated methodology to conduct and report data.Here’s what Warsh can expect on government data and the Fed:What role do you think economic data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Census Bureau, and other federal statistical agencies should play in the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions?What additional data do you think the government should provide to better inform the Federal Reserve’s assessment of the economy and prices?What would you do to ensure that data continues to be foundational to the Federal Reserve’s decision-making?What reform is required for the Bureau of Labor Statistics?The Federal Reserve relies heavily on labor market and price data specifically published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of these datasets are based on surveys like the Current Population Survey. However, those surveys have recently faced declining response rates, and, in turn, large revisions.In August 20205, Trump fired the head of the BLS after the agency reported job revisions that the president argued were politically rigged to cast his economic agenda in a poor light. Economists across the globe blasted the move. Here’s what Warsh might expect the senators to ask him about the BLS:What steps do you think should be taken to address these challenges and modernize one of the nation’s most important statistical agencies?What opportunities do you think there are to incorporate private sector and state government data into federal statistics about prices and the labor market?What will the impact of AI-ready data be on the Fed?In March, the White House called on Congress to provide resources to make federal datasets “AI-ready” as part of its National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence. As USAFacts recently highlighted, making government data AI-ready means that Americans can ask AI platforms about today’s pressing policy issues, and consistently get accurately cited, contextual government data on return.Here’s what Warsh can expect senators to ask him about AI and the Fed:How do you think AI-ready data would impact the Federal Reserve’s ability to access and analyze government data when assessing the state of the economy?White House wants lower interest rates, smaller Fed balance sheetTrump, who has repeatedly criticized Powell personally (“a moran’’) and professionally (“Too Late’’) for not slashing interest rates to 1% or lower over the last 14 months. There has been little formal movement to ⁠get Warsh in place to take over from Powell, which means as Reuters reported March 7, that the time for a seamless transition is running out. The process is ​further complicated by a widely criticized criminal investigation the Department of Justice led by Trump ally Jeanine Pirro has launched against Powell for allegedly lying to Congress about the $2.5 billion cost of the Fed headquarters renovations. Powell has said the probe is a pretext to pressure him to lower interest rates.The unprecedented probe has prompted one Republican member of the banking committee, without whose vote the nomination can’t be passed to the full Senate, to delay the process until the Powell investigation is shut down permanently.Related: Powell sends message on U.S. economy and AI-related job loss fearMessages to Senate Banking Chair Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., the ranking member, were not returned in time for publication.Warsh “understands the Federal Reserve very well” as a ⁠former central ​banker, and “he has a keen understanding of what our mission is, and the importance ​of what we do,” New York Fed President John Williams said earlier this month, according to Reuters.“I haven’t spoken to him lately, but I do expect that when he does get confirmed by the Senate, that he will share his ​views and perspectives as he thinks about…what he wants to accomplish as chair,” said Williams, a close ally of Powell.What’s up with USAFacts? Big money. And lots of it.Steve Ballmer, the founder of USAFacts, succeeded Bill Gates as CEO of Microsoft.After retiring from Microsoft in 2014, he purchased the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA for a then-record $2 billion. In 2017, he founded USAFacts, a non-profit organization focused on making government data accessible and easy to understand for the general public.Related: JPMorgan has a stark message on the next Fed rate cut

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Why we love this dealWhen it comes to versatile bags, very few have the range of a canvas tote bag. It can be used for groceries, as a spare shopping bag, for work and school, and for everyday use. But another option that’s been trending this year is the analog bag. An analog bag — sometimes referred to as a “boredom bag” or “house bag” — is a bag that holds analog hobbies that encourage screen-free activities and time away from phones and computers. Its popularity stems from a need to take a step back from the digital world, offering a pause and reset that can help boost your mental health. Canvas tote bags make the perfect analog bags, as they’re often affordable and spacious. The Gocvo Canvas Tote Bag is the perfect choice, with a structured design compared to cheaper tote bags and extra organization, thanks to additional pockets. It’s on sale at Walmart for just $15 during a limited-time Flash deal. Originally $24, you get 38% off this tote that you can use as an analog bag or an everyday bag.Gocvo Canvas Tote Bag, $15 (was $24) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at WalmartWhy do shoppers love it?If you’re looking for a step-up from your standard tote bag, this Walmart find is a solid choice. It’s both stylish and practical, available in 20 colors and patterns, including beige, checkered, floral prints, and more. Not to mention, it has multiple pockets, including three exterior slip pockets and one zippered interior pocket. For everyday use, these pockets are a game changer for organization, giving you more than enough storage options with easy access. And for an analog bag, the pockets are perfect for holding everything from pens and markers to books and crochet materials.It’s made of 100% canvas, giving it a casual look and feel. However, it has more structure and durability than a slouchy tote bag, which makes it easier to see what’s inside and grab what you need. In addition to a handle, it also has a removable and adjustable strap for shoulder or crossbody wear.Related: Michael Kors Outlet is selling a convertible shoulder bag that’s available in 6 spring-ready colorsDetails to knowDimensions: 13 inches long by 5.5 inches wide by 9.8 inches high.Handle drop: 6.3 inches.Material: Canvas.Colors: 20.”I literally take this everywhere. It’s not too big, but just big enough to hold my important stuff and not be too cumbersome with my purse,” a shopper said. They added that they not only bought one for themself, but also for a friend as a birthday gift.”It has a lot of pockets, and it keeps things separated and organized,” another reviewer said. “I love that it has a flat bottom, so when you sit it down, everything stays in place and is easy to get to!”Others shared that it’s sturdy and holds a lot. Shop more dealsLivhil Large Beach Mesh Tote Bag, $12 (was $13) at WalmartGocvo Multiple Pockets Corduroy Bag, $13 (was $28) at WalmartA New Day Kate Tote Handbag, $26 (was $30) at TargetThe Gocvo Canvas Tote Bag is on sale for only $15, but it might not be for much longer.

Gold has pulled back sharply from its January highs. Union Bancaire Privée (UBP) is not moved. It’s not bulging.The Swiss private bank, which manages approximately $233 billion in client assets, reaffirmed its $6,000 per ounce gold price target on April 13, even as gold trades roughly 15% below its January all-time high of approximately $5,600. The bank is also actively rebuilding its gold positions after cutting exposure during the Iran war selloff.What UBP did during the gold selloffUBP cut its gold allocation from approximately 10% to 3% of discretionary client portfolios during the Iran war-driven slump, according to FinanceMagnates. It has since rebuilt that position to approximately 6%.More Gold:Gold just saw its biggest decline since 1983: what’s nextGold and silver bugs face grim reality checkGold’s price is falling fast: Here’s what comes next”We have taken the first steps to rebuild gold portfolios after the flush-out of one-sided positions,” said Paras Gupta, Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management Asia at UBP.Gupta said that institutional and retail gold positioning is now “quite balanced” and that structural demand, including central bank buying, fiscal-deficit concerns, and geopolitical tensions, remains intact, according to FinanceMagnates.Why UBP still believes in $6,000 goldThe $6,000 target is not based on a single catalyst. UBP sees a combination of stagflation risks, persistent geopolitical uncertainty, and continued central bank demand as the foundations for a recovery and further move higher, according to Exchange Rates.Central banks globally are expected to purchase approximately 950 metric tons of gold in 2026. Poland recently raised its gold holding target to 700 metric tons from 550 metric tons, a move that signals growing institutional appetite for the metal.Global gold ETF holdings hit a record 4,171 tonnes in February 2026. Total gold demand in 2025 exceeded 5,000 metric tons for the first time, driven by a jump in ETF holdings, central bank accumulation, and bar and coin purchases, according to World Gold Council data cited by Investing.com.

JPMorgan believes gold could go as high as $6,300 by the end of the year. Lucas/Getty Images

Where other major banks stand on goldUBP is not the only institution with a bullish year-end gold target, but it is among the most aggressive. Institutional year-end forecasts now cluster between $5,400 and $6,300, according to FinanceMagnates.JPMorgan raised its end-2026 gold forecast to $6,300. Deutsche Bank and Societe Generale both target $6,000, with Societe Generale warning its forecast may prove conservative. ANZ raised its Q2 2026 forecast to $5,800 per ounce, up from $5,400, according to Scottsdale Bullion.Goldman Sachs sits at the lower end of the Wall Street consensus with a $5,400 year-end target. State Street assigns a 30% probability to a $5,500 to $6,250 bull case, according to FinanceMagnates.Not everyone is fully bullish. UBS precious metals strategist Joni Teves has warned that investors may be watching the late stage of the gold bull run, according to FinanceMagnates. UBS itself holds a $5,600 year-end target.Key gold price targets from major institutions:UBP (Swiss): $6,000 year-end 2026, reaffirmed April 13JPMorgan: $6,300 year-end 2026Deutsche Bank: $6,000 year-end 2026Societe Generale: $6,000 year-end 2026ANZ: $5,800 Q2 2026UBS: $5,600 year-end; upside scenario $7,200; downside $4,600Goldman Sachs: $5,400 year-end 2026Current gold price: approximately $4,733Gold all-time high: approximately $5,600, set January 29, 2026Why the pullback has not broken the bull caseGold has fallen roughly 15% from its January peak. That is a significant correction. But UBP and several other major institutions are treating it as a consolidation, not a reversal.Gold is up more than 25% since the start of 2026, extending a 64% gain from 2025. The current rally is the metal’s strongest since 1979, according to Investing.com. That kind of momentum does not typically disappear after a single correction.The forces that drove gold higher have not gone away. Geopolitical risk remains elevated with the Iran conflict unresolved and a U.S. naval blockade now in effect. Real yields are still under pressure. Central banks continue to buy. For institutions like UBP, those conditions are enough to keep the $6,000 target on the table, even with gold sitting nearly $900 below it today.Related: Analysts offer hot take on gold price surge

TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Why we love this dealWhen decorating your space, sometimes the little touches can have the biggest impact. The same is true when it comes to your home’s exterior. If you’re upgrading your front porch or backyard deck, it’s not just the patio furniture you should consider, but also the decor, like an outdoor rug, potted plants, and lighting. There are numerous outdoor lighting options to choose from, but one we especially appreciate is the Mibote 100-Foot Solar-Powered String Lights, which are currently on sale at Walmart.Normally, you’d have to pay $50 for this generous length of string lights, but Walmart’s limited-time deal brings the total cost down to just $34. The budget-friendly price tag would be affordable for any string lights, but it’s even more impressive since this lighting runs on solar power and offers a convenient remote control function. We also love the classic Edison bulb shape, which not only illuminates your outdoor space but also gives it a touch of vintage charm.Mibote 100-Foot Solar-Powered String Lights, $34 (was $50) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at WalmartWhy do shoppers love it?Measuring 100 feet long, these vintage-inspired string lights come equipped with 30 LED Edison bulbs. This length is perfect for draping across the fence, wrapping around the deck, or hanging on the balcony. Unlike traditional lights, which require an electric source, these outdoor lights are powered by the sun and don’t need to be near an outlet. The solar panel, which is large enough to last up to 20 hours on a single charge, can be staked into the ground or mounted on the wall for increased versatility. These durable string lights were designed for outdoor use and offer a waterproof design. Instead of glass, the bulbs are made with plastic, so they won’t shatter if a rainstorm knocks them down. However, they should stay sturdy in windy weather, as the sockets have built-in hooks for improved stability and simplified installation. Related: Amazon is selling a 3-piece rocking chair patio set for only $60 that’s perfect for spring weatherThe coolest feature of these lights is their remote control function. With a simple touch of a button, you can dim the brightness levels, set automatic on or off timers, and choose from different lighting modes, like pulsing or steady on. One reviewer reported, “These are fantastic. The remote included with them works so well — I can turn off and on or adjust lights from my front door.”Details to know Length: 100 feet.Bulb type: LED Edison bulbs.Power source: Solar power.These string lights will elevate the ambiance of your outdoor space, but they’re also a great way to decorate for birthdays, weddings, and other celebrations. “The Edison bulbs emit a warm, inviting glow that instantly makes the space feel cozy and welcoming,” one reviewer raved. They added, “The quality is excellent, and they look stunning in my backyard.”Shop more dealsQuntis Outdoor Solar-Powered String Lights, $31 (was $37) at WalmartBrightech Ambience Pro LED Outdoor String Lights, $48 (was $54) at WalmartLicoopr 100-Foot Outdoor String Lights, $32 (was $40) at WalmartDon’t miss your chance to score the Mibote 100-Foot Solar-Powered String Lights for just $34 at Walmart by adding them to your cart now.

During my years of reporting on mortgage rates and the housing market (and other personal finance topics), I’ve found that real estate trends can be difficult to predict.This is especially the case when global economic events become unexpectedly volatile, such as the current developments in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.With those dynamics already driving up oil prices and impacting the overall economy, the March inflation report on April 10 revealed that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.9% seasonally adjusted and increased 3.3% over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Real estate technology company Redfin took the opportunity to make a prediction about how that report might affect mortgage rates.”Gas prices surged 21% and fuel oil 31% in the March inflation data,” wrote Redfin head of economics research Chen Zhao. “These spikes were forecasted accurately by market observers ahead of time and the implications have been priced in by bond markets these past six weeks, so there is little market reaction to this data.””Headline inflation, which includes food and energy prices, spiked in March, but [mortgage] rates won’t move much today because core inflation, which ignores those volatile components, remained subdued,” Redfin wrote.That forecast appears to have been largely accurate, as the national average on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage ended April 10 at 6.41%, modestly lower than the previous day when it was 6.44%.Then, on April 13, the average 30-year fixed rate inched slightly lower, to 6.39%, according to Mortgage News Daily (MND).”From 5.99% in late February, [mortgage] rates spiked as high as 6.64% on March 27th,” MND wrote. “They’ve fallen noticeably but moderately since then, but the recent trajectory has been flattening out as the market waits to see how de-escalation may play out.”Zillow reports on housing market boostMeanwhile, real estate technology company Zillow released its March Market Report, finding that the housing market accelerated, despite the mortgage rate increase.”Pent-up demand from three years of low sales volume and winter storms in January and February, along with the tailwind from lower mortgage rates earlier in the year, seem to have buoyed the market as home shopping season kicked off,” Zillow wrote. “Housing market activity sprang forward in March, even as rising mortgage rates began to chip away at earlier affordability gains,” the company added.But concerns about March’s jump in energy costs added another layer of uncertainty for would‑be buyers still navigating the post‑pandemic market, Zillow explained. Mortgage rates moved from 5.98% at the end of February to 6.38% by late March, according to Freddie Mac, erasing part of the affordability boost that had lifted early‑year sentiment. The typical monthly payment rose 1.5% from February, before taxes and insurance, tightening budgets just as confidence had begun to improve.”Even so, demand held firm, with average daily page views per for-sale listing on Zillow 32% higher than last March,” Zillow wrote. “This demand signal outpacing inventory growth is showing the first signs of improvement since the pandemic ended.”Zillow outlines key March housing market dataNewly pending listings, home values and inventory also saw gains in March, Zillow found.There were 281,546 newly pending listings in March, and only May 2025 recorded a higher count since August 2022.The 4.6% year‑over‑year increase in newly pending listings was the strongest March gain seen in the past five years.The 29.8% month‑over‑month jump in newly pending listings also marked the largest March increase over that same five‑year period.Home values rose 0.8% from a year earlier, reflecting a modest acceleration from February’s 0.4% annual growth rate.Inventory increased on a yearly basis for the 28th month in a row.New listings were essentially unchanged from a year earlier, rising 0.1%.That slight annual uptick in new listings represented an improvement from January and February, when new‑listing activity trailed prior‑year levels.(Source:Zillow)

Real estate technology companies Zillow and Redfin explain important factors affecting mortgage rates and the U.S. housing market.Shutterstock

Redfin predicts inflation report impact on interest ratesFederal Reserve policymakers focus primarily on core inflation — which excludes food and energy — because those underlying categories are the ones that typically respond to interest‑rate moves, Redfin explained.Core prices rose 0.2% in March, or 2.6% over the past year, coming in a touch softer than expected. A sharp 1.0% monthly drop in prescription drug prices and a 1.5% decline in over‑the‑counter medications contributed to that weakness. “Overall, there is little evidence of the energy price spike affecting other categories yet,” Redfin wrote. “However, airline fares, an especially energy-sensitive sector, jumped 2.7% monthly. There is also some evidence of continued tariff rollback, with household goods prices soft.””There’s been some fear among investors that the Fed may have to hike rates this year, which this report should help to alleviate,” Redfin added. “Overall, similar to the recent jobs reports, today’s data along with the volatility in the Middle East, point to the Fed holding steady for a while.”Related: Zillow forecasts mortgage rate, housing market shift

For weeks, the White House said the surge in gas prices was temporary. On April 13, the president changed that message.Speaking by phone on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures, Trump was asked directly whether oil and gas prices would be lower before the November midterm elections. “I hope so. I mean, I think so. It could be, it could be. Or the same. Or maybe a little bit higher. But it should be around the same, I think this won’t be that much longer,” he said, according to Newsweek.The comments came hours after Iran peace talks in Islamabad collapsed and Trump announced a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.That is a striking admission. It means the administration is no longer promising relief at the pump before the November midterm elections.How bad gas prices have gottenThe national average for gasoline now sits at slightly over $4 per gallon, according to NBC News. That is up more than 38% since the conflict with Iran began on February 28, according to Time.Gas prices topped $4 per gallon on March 31 for the first time since 2022, according to CBS News.More Oil and Gas:The world’s biggest gas field matters just as much as oil right nowGoldman Sachs reveals top oil stocks to buy for 2026U.S. economy will show resilience, despite rising oil pricesIn March alone, gas prices rose 21.2% from February, the largest single-month jump at the pump since 1967, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data via CBS News. Diesel has climbed even harder, reaching $5.62 per gallon, up nearly 49% since the war began, according to Time.In California, the average hit $5.87 per gallon as of April 6, according to Time. The state relies heavily on oil imports and carries higher fuel taxes than the rest of the country.Why prices have stayed so highThe core problem is the Strait of Hormuz. About 20% of the world’s oil flows through the waterway, and it has been largely closed since Iran blockaded it in early March. Analysts say prices will not meaningfully fall until shipping resumes.Brent crude was trading at $73 a barrel before the war began. It hit $95.88 as of April 10, according to CBS News. With the Islamabad talks now collapsed and a U.S. naval blockade in effect, the path to lower crude prices has narrowed further.”The president doesn’t have a whole lot of levers,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, according to CNBC.The administration has taken some steps. The EPA issued a waiver allowing higher-ethanol E15 fuel to be sold starting May 1. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said plans are in place to bring more diesel to market, CNBC reported.

High gas prices are wreaking havoc across the economy. NurPhoto /Getty Images

What high gas prices are doing to consumersThe pain extends well beyond the pump. Energy prices rose 10.9% in March alone, driving the annual inflation rate to 3.3%, according to CBS News.Real wages fell 0.6% in March as earnings failed to keep pace, according to NBC News. Consumer sentiment fell to a record low in early April, according to the University of Michigan survey via NBC News.Fuel surcharges are now spreading across the economy. FedEx was charging a 26.5% fuel surcharge on ground and home deliveries as of April 6, according to CNN. The U.S. Postal Service added an 8% fee on some packages. Amazon and airlines have announced similar surcharges, according to NBC News.”It will take months for the higher energy prices, along with plastics, packaging, etc., to flow into the core rate,” said Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer at One Point BFG Wealth Partners.Key figures on gas prices and the economic impact:National average gas price: slightly over $4 per gallonPrice increase since war began: up 38%March monthly gas price increase: 21.2%, largest since 1967Diesel price: $5.62 per gallon, up nearly 49%March annual inflation rate: 3.3%Real wages in March: fell 0.6%Brent crude before war: $73/barrel; now approximately $96Midterm elections: November 2026The political stakes heading into NovemberGas prices are one of the most visible forms of inflation for voters. They show up on large signs at every street corner. They hit household budgets every week.Trump’s own admission that prices may not fall before November is a significant political concession.Trump’s comments came after weeks of mixed messaging. The president had previously framed the price surge as temporary. Acknowledging that relief may not arrive before the midterms shifts that narrative significantly, according to Newsweek.GasBuddy’s De Haan had said during the brief ceasefire period that the national average could fall back below $4 if the situation stabilized, according to CBS News. With talks now collapsed and a naval blockade in place, that scenario looks increasingly unlikely in the near term.For consumers, the message from the president is now clear. Budget for higher fuel costs. And do not count on relief before November.Related: Hassett has stark message for investors watching gas prices

U.S. stocks received a bit of a boost on Monday as the U.S. initiated its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, but while some analysts expect energy prices to stay high for months (or potentially years) due to the fallout of the Iran War, analysts at Wells Fargo believe it’s time to invest in alternatives. Wells Fargo Investment Institute sent out an alert Monday updating its stance based on the latest news from Iran, including the failed ceasefire talks over the weekend and the blockade of the Strait. The S&P 500 Energy sector has gained over 29% year to date, driven by oil price spikes due to the war. Meanwhile, the S&P Information Tech sector is down 4%, underperforming the broader S&P by nearly 4% ytd. “We expect the energy sector to reverse at least some gains. The West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures market currently prices the peak oil price in May, which may be closer than many investors expect,” Wells Fargo analysts Paul Christopher and Michelle Wan said in their note. As of April 13, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded is $4.125, up from $3.63 per gallon when we were just weeks into the conflict, and significantly more than $3.189 a year ago, according to AAA. But the firm’s move into tech seems to be as much about declines in energy as it is about potential gains in the tech sector. Investors should ditch energy for information technology, Wells Fargo saysNot only is the energy sector overbought after a nearly 30% year-to-date gain, but the tech sector is also oversold, down 4%. Also, while the tech sector is trading at the same price-to-earnings multiple as the composite S&P 500 Index, the Bloomberg consensus for 2026 tech sector growth is 35% as of April 9, nearly twice that of the 18% for the S&P, according to Wells Fargo. “Thus, we see a tech sector that is completely priced against the S&P 500 but with roughly twice the projected earnings growth. By contrast, we expect the energy sector to reverse at least some against,” Christopher and Wan said. The firm also sees an opportunity to rotate from energy into other sectors like financials, industrials, and utilities in addition to information technology. For financials, “even though we removed our expectations of two Federal Reserve rate cuts by year’s end, we still anticipate higher long-term yields from current levels.”For commodities, the spot gold price is down by more than 10% from its January peak, offering investors a golden buying opportunity. Related: Bank of America identifies loudest K-shaped economic signal yet”International buyers figured prominently in the selloff, shedding gold and other assets to raise dollars to afford oil at rising dollar-denominated prices. As we pointed out in a recent report, the forced selling of gold creates tighter cash positions internationally, as oil prices rise and the U.S. dollar strengthens. From this, we see a potential opportunity for investors to reallocate from crude oil into gold,” the analysts said. The firm says its 2026 price target range midpoint for gold is $5,900 per troy ounce with an expected downside of $4,700. Gold spot prices were at $4,757 per troy ounce on Monday. Tech sector is in a generational funk not seen since the 1970sWhile Wells Fargo analysts see the tech sector’s underperformance as a nice hedging opportunity, Goldman Sachs analysts are lamenting one of the weakest periods of relative returns in the sector in 50 years. According to Goldman analyst Peter Oppenheimer, the tech sector has had one of the worst periods of relative underperformance since the early 1970s, since the decline started in early 2025 following the release of the moat-destroying AI model DeepSeek.Oppenheimer warns that the return on artificial intelligence spending isn’t a foregone conclusion as the history of technology “is littered with examples of new technologies that attracted large sums of capital to build out underlying infrastructure, which have led, ultimately, to low returns.”Goldman analysts also expect the information technology sector to see earnings per share increase 44% and account for 87% of the S&P 500s growth in the first quarter of 2026. At the same time, the information tech sector’s price-to-earnings ratio has fallen below that of consumer discretionary, consumer staples, and industrials, which Goldman Sachs says creates attractive valuation opportunities, according to Seeking Alpha. Related: Automakers face a troubling customer trend

With the U.S. defense budget topping $1 trillion in fiscal year 2026—and a 2027 target of $1.5 trillion on the table—Silicon Valley firms, both public and private, are positioned to make further inroads in a sector still dominated by legacy prime contractors. To be sure, four primes—Boeing (BA), Lockheed Martin (LMT), RTX (RTX), and Northrop Grumman (NOC)—remain dominant, holding 92% of Pentagon contracts as of Q4 2026. But the budget’s growth, along with the rapid adoption of AI applications in defense and continuing global conflicts, promises to further boost tech firms’ presence and their influence on sector valuations and performance.Palantir (PLTR) and Anduril, part of a cohort insiders have increasingly been calling “neoprimes,” are the most advanced in terms of contract wins. But AI players like Google, a unit of Alphabet (GOOGL), OpenAI, and Anthropic are in the mix as well. Anduril and Palantir recently signed separate 10-year enterprise agreements with the Department of War. Anduril’s consolidates 120 separate contracts under a $20 billion ceiling, while Palantir’s rolls up 75 contracts up to $10 billion. And Google, after exiting a defense department deal in 2018 amid employee pressure, returned to Pentagon work in 2025 with contracts for AI and cloud services, and in March won another contract to deploy AI agents across the department’s unclassified networks.Perhaps most importantly, these firms, which by most measures market the world’s leading AI platforms, are infiltrating and driving change across the broader defense industry ecosystem, as Pentagon contractors large and small require competency in their technologies.As such, they’re creating an opportunity for investors to rethink their sector allocations, especially with Anduril, OpenAI, and Anthropic all expected to go public in the near future. Hiring patterns for security-cleared professionals tracked by ClearanceJobs.com add a further, forward-looking dimension to the picture. The data captures direct hiring by these companies, as well as mentions of each company or its systems in job postings by others within their partner and client ecosystems—offering perspective on where momentum is building.Palantir (PLTR) DoD hiring spikes in 2026The Pentagon already accounts for a significant share of Palantir’s revenue, which means the company stands to benefit disproportionately as defense spending accelerates. Palantir derived 41.5% of its total revenue last year from Washington, $1.885 billion, with overall federal government revenue surging 55%. If the increases in funds flowing from the Department of War continue at that pace, its shares could climb meaningfully.Notably, Palantir’s Maven system, which won a groundbreaking contract for broad use across U.S. armed forces, incorporates Anthropic’s AI technology. (The implications of the Pentagon’s decision to declare Anthropic “a supply chain risk,” and the judicial rulings that followed, remain unclear.) Palantir has been a strong presence in the ClearanceJobs.com database. After growing modestly in 2024 to 4,351, job postings that mention the company and its systems declined 10% in 2025, to 3,926. Looking ahead, data for the first three months of 2026 put the company on pace for 20% year-over-year growth of such mentions but the company’s ecosystem presence has plateaued relative to faster-moving rivals.Google (GOOGL) defense business solid, with growth potentialAlthough defense is not a significant portion of Google’s business, the company has been making steady inroads since restarting its efforts in the defense space last year. And large increases in the conglomerate’s revenue from the Department of War may positively move the needle for GOOG stock in the long term.Last year, however, Google did land a $200 million contract to furnish the Pentagon with “AI and cloud capabilities.” And in March, Google said it was “leaning more” into obtaining deals related to national security. Also that month, the Department of War agreed to employ the tech giant’s AI agents in its “unclassified networks.”   Google’s defense and intelligence footprint, as measured by mentions in ClearanceJobs postings, has grown steadily—from 6,933 in 2023 to 9,004 in 2025—though the pace of growth so far in 2026 has slowed sharply to just 1% year-over-year.  The company’s Q1 run rate puts it on pace for roughly 9,600 mentions in job postings in full year 2026, suggesting a mature but durable presence in the cleared community.OpenAI hiring growth follows DoD winThe Pentagon in February decided to utilize OpenAI’s offerings within its “classified networks.” In a statement at that time, the company said its technology would not be used “for mass domestic surveillance,” or “to direct autonomous weapons systems.” The firm later widened its restrictions, asserting that its “AI system shall not be intentionally used for domestic surveillance of U.S. persons and nationals.” To some extent, these restrictions may limit the attractiveness of OpenAI’s technology to the Department of War and other U.S. agencies whose work relates to national security. Indeed, CEO Sam Altmanstated that “intelligence agencies such as the NSA” would not utilize its offerings, according to CNBC.  It’s important to note that OpenAI exceeded $25 billion of annualized revenue as of the end of February, while its deal with the Pentagon is relatively limited and likely will not account for a significant percentage of its sales anytime soon.   Japanese investment bank SoftBank recently received a one-year, unsecured, $40 billion loan that it will use to finance its $30 billion investment in OpenAI. The terms of the loan fueled speculation that the company would launch an IPO in 2026.  Job postings mentioning OpenAI have grown rapidly, rising from 41 in 2023 to 359 in 2025—a more than eightfold increase in two years. Momentum shows no signs of slowing, with Q1 2026 actuals on pace to exceed 580 job postings by year-end, roughly a 63% gain over last year.Anduril hiring surges amid battlefield AI push Under Anduril’s enterprise agreement with the Pentagon, the company will continue to provide the Army with its AI-powered operating system Lattice, an “AI-powered battle management platform” that analyzes data and enables fast decision making. Further, the service branch announced a new $87 million deal with Anduril on March 16. Anduril’s total revenue reportedly reached about $1 billion in 2024, and management expects the company to generate sales of roughly $2 billion by 2026. And Palmer Luckey, a company founder, said the firm “definitely” is looking to launch an IPO, potentially in 2026. Job postings that mention Anduril have outpaced the others doubling from 2023 to 2024 and nearly doubling again by 2025 to 6,501. Q1 2026 actuals are already at 2,179 with a 2026 full-year projection of 8,716.Anthropic DoD upside hits skids, but its not out of the game entirely yetThe company’s large language model (LLM), Claude, is the only one certified for use in classified U.S. military contexts, according to The Financial Times. But the primary concern for defense-sector investors is the company’s status with respect to the U.S. government’s determination that it is a supply chain risk—a status typically reserved for companies in non-aligned countries.The U.S. took this step after the firm tried to prevent its offerings from being incorporated into autonomous systems and surveillance tools. Subsequent litigation has left the outcome unclear: A federal judge overturned the Defense Department’s order in March, calling it “Orwellian,” while another, in April, denied Anthropic’s motion for a stay. Anthropic is considering an IPO “as soon as October.” Starting from essentially zero mentions in the ClearanceJobs.com database in 2023, mentions of Anthropic and its systems appeared in 89 job postings in 2025 and are on pace to nearly quadruple to 352 this year. The numbers remain small in absolute terms, but this early trajectory signals accelerated adoption across cleared programs.Related: Boeing lands another huge military deal