Hello, Thanks for signing up for MarketBeat Daily Ratings—we’re excited to have you on board. Every weekday, you’ll get a curated summary of new “Buy” and “Sell” ratings from Wall Street’s top-rated analysts, the latest stock news, and bonus investing content—all delivered straight to your inbox. You’re just two quick steps away from completing your sign-up: 1. Make sure our emails go to your inboxGmail users:
Mobile: Tap the three dots (…) in the top right and select Move to Inbox or Move to Primary
Desktop: Click the folder icon at the top and select Move to Inbox or Primary Apple Mail users:
Tap our email address at the top (next to From: on mobile), then select Add to VIP Other providers:
Reply to this message and add newsletters@analystratings.net to your contacts 2. Confirm your subscriptionClick this link to confirm your subscription. This verifies your account and ensures you receive your newsletters without interruption instead of getting stuck in your spam filter. Confirm your subscription here. After you confirm, feel free to download our popular free report, "7 Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever" with this link. Thanks again for subscribing—we look forward to being part of your investing journey. 
Matthew Paulson
Founder and CEO, MarketBeat. P.S. If you didn’t mean to subscribe, no problem—you can unsubscribe here.
Exclusive Article
Inflation Shock Ahead? Get Ready for ImpactAuthor: Thomas Hughes. Article Posted: 4/17/2026. 
Key Points
- Manufacturers are raising prices across industries to combat higher oil prices.
- Higher oil prices raise the risk of inflation and recession, and a price shock is coming.
- Resilient labor markets and an end to the conflict can keep the S&P 500 trending higher.
- Special Report: The Biggest IPO Ever: Claim Your Stake Today
The fallout from the war involving Iran is mounting and is likely to trigger an inflation shock. The impact begins with oil prices, which have pushed costs higher across the economy. Oil appears capped near $115, so upside risk may be limited. The problem is that at mid‑April levels near $95, WTI is still well off its lows and continues to underpin price increases across sectors — a significant risk. 
The mainstream explanation for the Iran airstrikes may not be the full story. Addison Wiggin, Founder of Grey Swan Investment Fraternity, says there's a deeper motive behind the bombing campaign that most coverage is ignoring.
If you're making investment decisions based on what you're hearing in the news, Wiggin argues you could be working with an incomplete picture. Read Addison Wiggin's full breakdown of the real Iran story
Among the latest to announce price increases are major appliance makers Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR) and GE Appliances (a Haier Smart Home company). They cited extreme inflationary pressure in warnings to dealers and plan to raise prices in mid‑June to offset rising costs. Those increases threaten not only their own businesses but the broader economy: widespread price hikes across many product categories can tip activity into recession. The caveat is that oil prices are volatile, and an end to the conflict would ease some pressure. Oil Prices Shot Up When the War Started. What Happens When It Ends?A lasting ceasefire would allow freer oil trade and likely push prices lower. The key questions are timing and how far prices would fall. With an estimated 10% or more of global production offline or otherwise impaired by the conflict, oil prices are likely to remain elevated for some time unless supply is quickly restored. OPEC is a wildcard. The cartel has agreed to increase production quotas, but two factors limit that boost. First, planned increases may not fully offset lost Middle Eastern capacity. Second, much of the region's capacity sits behind the Strait of Hormuz; Saudi Arabia and its neighbors can ramp output on paper, but they may not be able to get that supply to market until the conflict ends. The risk for oil bulls is the opposite scenario: a rapid supply recovery once the conflict ends, driving prices back toward the $60–$70 range. Inflation Data Reveals Impact of Higher Oil Prices: More to ComeThe March CPI report already showed the effect of higher oil prices, with the headline number jumping — and more increases may follow. If inflation remains hot month to month, year‑over‑year figures will accelerate, raising the odds the Fed must act. While the Fed has little influence over oil prices — the proximate driver of the current spike — it may still be forced to raise interest rates to stabilize consumer prices. The best‑case monetary outcome is for the Fed to bide its time, allowing the conflict and oil dynamics to play out; even that outcome would undermine market sentiment for the year and weigh on stocks. The stock market rally has been supported by earnings growth, which is expected to accelerate sequentially into the high‑teens through the end of the year. Higher‑for‑longer interest rates mean higher business costs for an extended period, especially for smaller‑cap, pre‑revenue, and unprofitable names that outperformed in April. In that environment, flows into small caps — the so‑called "Great Rotation" — could slow or reverse as investors refocus on quality, profitability, and capital returns. Labor Market Strength and Economic Resilience Hang in the BalanceCurrently, labor and other economic data point to a generally healthy economy. Activity is lower than the peaks seen in 2022 and 2023, but those highs were boosted by pandemic stimulus and short‑lived consumer spending. In Q2 2026, labor market trends resemble past periods of expansion, with job growth, ample openings, low unemployment, and rising wages. The economy can likely withstand a shock — assuming the coming inflation shock is not too severe or prolonged. Under that scenario, the S&P 500 will probably continue to trend higher, aside from periodic corrections. Neither the S&P 500 index nor the S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA: SPY) fully reflects the downside risk. The market pushed to new highs after solid earnings from JPMorgan Chase and other financial leaders, and street chatter suggests the war may end soon. Even if it doesn't, so far it hasn't materially impaired the earnings outlook. Upcoming reports from major tech companies, including NVIDIA and other "Magnificent Seven" names, could keep the market moving higher — at least until inflation becomes an overriding constraint. For investors, the prudent approach is measured caution. There remains a risk of another correction, and volatility is the larger concern. With fundamentals still largely bullish, an outright market exit is premature. Taking some profits and positioning capital for future opportunities is sensible; wholesale liquidation in anticipation of a market meltdown is not. |
