Sixty-six days ago, the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran and killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Since then, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut down, a ceasefire is falling apart, and the International Energy Agency is calling this the "largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market."

Gas is up 49%. Jet fuel has doubled. Spirit Airlines is dead. Your toothpaste is getting more expensive.

Here's exactly how this war is hitting your wallet, your portfolio, and what you can do about it.

This is not financial advice. Always do your own research. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.

Trump launched "Project Freedom" on Monday to escort stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Two American-flagged merchant ships made it through. But Iran responded by firing 15 missiles and 4 drones at the UAE, hitting an oil facility in Fujairah. When asked if the ceasefire is still holding, Trump said "I can't tell you that."

About 2,000 ships and 20,000 seafarers are still trapped in the Persian Gulf. Negotiations are going nowhere. That's where we are.

See the top 5 stocks to monitor for the Iran-US War →

Gas was $2.98 on February 26. As of Sunday, it's $4.45. That's a 49% increase in two months, and the highest prices since July 2022. ClearView Energy Partners' Kevin Book told NPR "we may be weeks or even months from the peak."

Flights are getting crushed. Jet fuel has roughly doubled since the war started. United's CEO said it would mean "an extra $11 billion in annual expense just for jet fuel" for the industry. Spirit Airlines shut down entirely on May 2 after its White House bailout collapsed, meaning less competition and higher fares for everyone.

Everything you buy online is getting more expensive. The USPS implemented its first-ever fuel surcharge (8%). Amazon added a 3.5% surcharge on third-party sellers. FedEx Ground is charging 26.5%. Those costs get passed directly to you.

Energy is the standout sector of 2026. Brent crude has risen nearly 50% since the war started. Chevron has soared more than 40% over the past year.

Defense is right behind it. The Pentagon has spent $25 billion on the war so far. Trump is requesting a $1.5 trillion defense budget for next year, a 42% increase and the largest military spending expansion since World War II. That money flows to defense contractors for years.

On the losing side: airlines, consumer staples, and tech/growth stocks, which have lagged as investors rotate into energy and defense. If inflation stays elevated, the Fed can't cut rates, and growth stocks face a tougher path.

We've been making 1970s stagflation comparisons for a while now, and we really wish the resemblance wasn’t so striking.

Our partners at AltIndex published an analysis of the 5 stocks to watch as the US-Iran conflict escalates, using their alternative data platform to track which names are showing the strongest signals. The list covers energy (ExxonMobil), defense (Lockheed Martin, RTX), cybersecurity (CrowdStrike), and gold (Alamos Gold), with specific ratings, catalysts, and data points for each one.

If you're trying to figure out where to position your portfolio right now, this is worth a read.

AltIndex uses alternative data (social media sentiment, job postings, web traffic, app downloads) to score stocks and surface trends before they show up in earnings reports. You can start a free trial here.

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US stocks dropped on Monday as fresh strikes in the Iran war reignited fears that the fragile ceasefire might collapse entirely.

Palantir posted a double beat, crushing both earnings and revenue (which increased by 85%, the most since PLTR’s debut in 2020). It also posted better-than-expected guidance. CEO Alex Karp said the following in his shareholder letter: “Our financial results now demonstrate a level of strength that dwarfs the performance of essentially every software company in history at this scale.”

The 30-year Treasury yield jumped back above 5% for the first time since July 2025, climbing 6 basis points Monday to 5.03%. That's trouble territory for stocks. The long bond has repeatedly stalled near 5% over the past three years, tightening financial conditions and pressuring equities before yields finally backed off. This time, the move comes with more moving parts: higher oil prices, war risk, sticky inflation concerns, and a Federal Reserve leadership transition.

Elon Musk agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle the SEC's lawsuit over his delayed disclosure of his Twitter stake in 2022, Bloomberg reported. The SEC had accused Musk of failing to promptly disclose when he crossed the 5% ownership threshold, allegedly allowing him to keep buying shares at lower prices. The settlement ends a years-long legal battle that had been scheduled for trial.

Goldman Sachs warned that global oil stocks are approaching an eight-year low, raising concerns about how quickly inventories are being depleted. The depletion speed is starting to worry analysts as the Iran conflict drags on with no clear resolution in sight.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals topped profit estimates as sales of its new cystic fibrosis drug surged. Earnings from major chip manufacturers will highlight the rest of the week, including AMD, Arm Holdings, Palantir, and Paramount Skydance.

Rare coins hiding in everyday circulation are emerging as one of the most accessible alternative assets. A rare-coin collector explains that certain pennies, quarters, and dimes found in pocket change can fetch anywhere from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars, with minting errors like the 1943 bronze penny bringing six figures at auction.

The 1893-S Morgan silver dollar commands up to $90,000 in circulated condition and $1.25 million uncirculated. The 1864-S quarter, with only 20,000 ever minted, sells for $800 in Good condition and $22,500 uncirculated, yet remains undervalued relative to its scarcity. Even the 1955 doubled die penny, easily spotted by thick doubled lettering, sells for tens of thousands.

Experts cite low mintage, historical significance, minting errors, and condition as key drivers. Unlike most alternative investments, you don't need capital to start, just a magnet to test 1943 pennies (bronze versions don't stick and are worth fortunes) and an eye for dates, mint marks, and doubling errors.

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Cheers,
Brandon & Blake of Invested Inc