How Can Oil Prices Affect Stock Prices?

Oil prices can impact the stock prices of energy companies and industries reliant on oil. This has broader implications for the economy and may require traders to adjust their energy stock trades accordingly. However, the correlation between oil and stock prices is not always direct.

In our article, we will discuss how oil prices can affect stock prices. 

How are oil prices determined? 

Oil prices are determined by a combination of factors, including supply and production levels, global demand and consumption patterns, inventories, and more. The most important role is played by the major oil-producing countries, collectively known as OPEC. 

OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, significantly influences global oil supply through its member countries' production decisions and quotas. OPEC's production cuts or increases can directly impact the availability of oil in the market, thereby affecting increasing or decreasing prices. 

Note: Although OPECs discussions can potentially affect oil prices, they aren't the main driving factor. Please consider all factors when making trades on oil prices.

Correlation between oil and stock prices

There is a relationship between oil and stock prices due to the influence of oil on various sectors of the economy. Here are a few key points that discuss the relationship between oil and stock prices:

Energy sector impact

Oil is a crucial factor for many industries, particularly the energy sector. Higher oil prices can increase costs for businesses that rely on oil for production or transportation, such as airlines, shipping companies, and manufacturing firms. Consequently, when oil prices rise, these companies may experience decreased profitability, which can negatively impact their stock prices and vice versa.

Inflation and interest rates

Oil prices can influence inflationary pressures and central bank policies positively or negatively. When oil prices increase significantly, it can lead to higher inflation due to increased production costs and transportation expenses. In response, central banks may raise interest rates to curb inflation, which can have broader implications for stock markets. Higher interest rates can increase borrowing costs for businesses, potentially dampening economic growth and affecting stock prices and vice versa.

Geopolitical factors

Geopolitical events, such as conflicts in/around oil-producing regions or supply disruptions, can significantly impact oil prices. For instance, tensions in the Middle East or disruptions in major oil-producing countries can cause oil prices to spike due to limited supply. These events can create uncertainty in global markets, affecting investor sentiment and potentially leading to extreme stock market price fluctuation.

Economic growth and demand

During periods of strong economic growth, demand for oil typically increases, leading to higher prices and vice versa. In such cases, stock markets may also experience positive performance due to the economy's overall health, whereas the opposite is true in the case of an economic slowdown. 

Long-term vs short-term impact of oil prices on the stock market

Oil prices can have varying effects on stock prices, depending on the timeframe. In the long term, they can significantly impact industries reliant on oil. While in the short term, other factors may introduce volatility and disrupt a direct correlation. Traders and investors should consider both long-term trends and short-term factors when assessing the influence of oil prices on stock market performance, discussed as under -

Long-term effects

Sector performance

The performance of sectors closely tied to the oil industry, such as energy companies, is significantly influenced by long-term oil price trends. When oil prices rise over an extended period, these sectors tend to experience improved profitability and increased stock prices and vice versa.

Economic indicators

Long-term oil price trends often reflect the state of the global economy. Higher oil prices can indicate robust economic growth and increased oil demand and vice versa. In such cases, stock markets may benefit as companies across various sectors thrive in a favorable economic environment, whereas the opposite is true during an economic downturn.

Energy transition

Long-term oil price trends can influence the pace and direction of the energy transition in the upward or downward direction. Higher oil prices may accelerate investments in renewable energy and alternative technologies as businesses seek to reduce dependence on oil, whereas the opposite is true in another case. This shift can affect the performance of companies involved in clean energy sectors and influence positive long-term stock market trends and vice versa.

Consumer spending and disposable income

When oil prices rise over an extended period, it can lead to higher fuel costs, which can increase transportation expenses and the prices of goods and services. This can put pressure on consumers' budgets, leading to reduced discretionary spending. Consequently, companies in sectors dependent on consumer spending, such as retail, hospitality, and entertainment, may experience lower revenue and potentially see a decline in stock prices. The opposite will be true if the oil prices fall.

Short-term effects

Market volatility

Sudden changes in oil prices can create volatility in stock markets in the short term. Factors such as geopolitical events, supply disruptions, or unexpected oil supply and demand shifts can lead to rapid price fluctuations. This volatility can affect investor sentiment and cause short-term increases or decreases in stock prices.

Specific industry impact 

Certain industries are more directly affected by short-term oil price movements. For example, when oil prices rise rapidly, transportation and manufacturing sectors may experience immediate cost increases or profit reductions. These short-term effects on specific industries can influence stock prices negatively in the short run. 

Investor sentiment

Short-term oil price movements can influence investor sentiment and market psychology positively or negatively. Sudden spikes or declines in oil prices can create uncertainty and lead investors to adjust their portfolios accordingly. This shift in sentiment can contribute to short-term fluctuations in stock prices. 

For example, a sharp increase in oil prices can lead to concerns about inflation and its impact on economic growth. As a result, investors may adjust their portfolios by selling stocks and seeking alternative investments, potentially causing short-term decreases in stock prices.

Earnings volatility

Short-term fluctuations in oil prices can lead to earnings volatility for companies in industries closely tied to oil, such as transportation, airlines, and manufacturing. Sudden increases in oil prices can result in higher input costs, impacting profit margins and potentially leading to lower earnings and stock prices. The opposite will be true if oil prices suddenly decrease.

Stock market performance of top 8 oil-dependent industries

1. Airlines

Airlines are highly sensitive to changes in oil prices as fuel costs represent a significant portion of their expenses. When oil prices rise, it increases the operational costs for airlines. This can lead to reduced profit margins and potentially impact the stock price performance of airline-based companies. 

An example is the crude oil prices spiked in 2008, resulting in a surge in jet fuel costs for airlines. This led to financial difficulties for several carriers worldwide, impacting their stock prices and overall industry performance.

*Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

2. Refineries

Refining companies play a crucial role in processing crude oil into refined products. The crack spread influences their profitability, which is the difference between the cost of crude oil and the selling price of refined products. When oil prices increase, it can raise the cost of raw materials for refineries, negatively impacting their profitability and stock performance. Conversely, lower oil prices can improve profit margins for refiners. 

An example is the oil prices dropping significantly in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to higher crack spreads for refiners and positively impacting their stock prices.

*Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

3. Logistics

Companies involved in transportation and logistics, such as freight companies transporting goods domestically and internationally, are directly affected by oil prices. Rising oil prices lead to higher fuel costs, impacting operational expenses and vice versa. This, in turn, can negatively influence their stock prices. 

For example, when oil prices surged in 2011 during the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, shipping companies faced higher bunker fuel costs, impacting their profitability and stock performance.

4. Paints

The paints and coatings industry relies on oil derivatives as raw materials for their products. When oil prices rise, the cost of these raw materials increases, potentially squeezing profit margins for paint manufacturers and vice versa. This can impact their stock performance and decrease stock prices, especially if they are unable to pass on the increased costs to consumers.

5. Chemical

The chemical industry uses oil as a raw material for various products. Higher oil prices can lead to increased production costs, negatively affecting chemical companies' profitability and vice versa. 

For example, when oil prices experienced a significant downturn in 2014, chemical companies faced higher input costs, resulting in reduced profit margins and stock price declines.

6. Transportation 

The transportation sector (domestic and international transport for people), including trucking and shipping companies, is directly impacted by changes in oil prices. Higher oil prices result in increased fuel expenses, which can negatively impact transportation companies' profitability and stock performance. Conversely, lower oil prices can positively affect their financials and stock prices. 

As traveling decreased due to pandemic-enforced lockdowns in 2020, oil prices dropped, leading to lower fuel costs for transportation companies and increasing stock prices.

7. Automobiles

Oil prices influence the automotive industry due to the close relationship between fuel prices and consumer demand for vehicles. Higher oil prices can lead to increased fuel costs for consumers, potentially impacting their purchasing power and demand for automobiles. This can indirectly affect the stock performance of automobile manufacturers and related companies negatively as fewer cars are sold and vice versa.

8. Consumer

Oil prices can impact consumer sentiment and purchasing power. When oil prices rise, it can lead to higher prices for various consumer goods, including transportation, heating, and other oil-dependent products. This can potentially reduce consumer spending, which can negatively affect companies' stock performance in the consumer goods and retail sectors and vice versa. 

Navigate the relationship between oil and stock prices 

The relationship between oil prices and stock prices is multifaceted, influenced by various factors and dynamics. Oil prices can have both short-term and long-term effects on stock markets. Analyzing the relationship between oil prices and stock prices requires a strong understanding of the interplay between economic factors, industry dynamics, and investor sentiment.