Iran just changed everything for gold

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From our partners at Behind the Markets

Dear Fellow Investor,

The Iran War didn’t just make headlines.

It broke the gold market wide open.

Gold is already above $5,000 and surging.

But the metal isn’t where the real money gets made.

There’s one tiny company sitting on more gold than France, Italy, and China combined.

It moves 10x faster than the metal.

And right now, it’s still trading at a 99% discount to what it’s actually worth.

A briefing with the ticker is waiting for you.

Go here for the full gold briefing — including the stock name and buy-up-to price >>> 

“The Buck Stops Here,”

Dylan Jovine, CEO & Founder

Behind the Markets

This Month’s Bonus News

Why One Energy Expert Is Betting on These 3 Oil Stocks Now

Author: Bridget Bennett. First Published: 3/5/2026. 

Oil refinery and drilling site at sunset with glowing financial chart overlay illustrating oil price volatility in energy markets.

Key Points

  • Oil-price volatility tied to Middle East risk is keeping energy stocks in focus, with North America-facing operators viewed as less exposed to overseas disruption.
  • Marc Lichtenfeld’s picks span the supply chain: a producer (APA), a refiner (Marathon Petroleum), and a midstream “toll collector” (Enterprise Products Partners).
  • The common thread is cash flow: value in upstream, potential margin upside in refining, and steadier income in midstream.
  • Special Report: The Satellite Boom Is Creating a Security Risk (From i2i Marketing Group, LLC)

Energy markets have been anything but calm lately. Oil prices surged and then pulled back as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East reverberated through global markets. That volatility can make investors uneasy, but it also creates opportunities.

In a recent conversation with Marc Lichtenfeld of the Oxford Club, the discussion centered on how investors can navigate this environment and where compelling opportunities may lie in the energy sector. Lichtenfeld highlighted three companies he believes combine solid fundamentals, income potential and exposure to key parts of the energy supply chain.

Geopolitical Tensions Are Driving Oil Price Volatility

Iran Strikes Spark Gold Dip Shadow Miner Play (Ad)

Gold didn’t dip from $5,423 to $5,000—it was forced down. After the Iran strikes, something inside the gold market broke.

While retail investors hesitate, the smart money is quietly loading up on a little-known Shadow Miner positioned for what happens next. On March 31st, a 90-year-old law could expose what’s really inside the vaults, and when that happens, this Iran discount disappears overnight.See the ticker before the reset

Recent geopolitical developments have reminded markets how sensitive oil prices are to global events: supply disruptions and concerns about critical transportation routes can push prices higher quickly. Lichtenfeld pointed specifically to tensions involving Iran as a major catalyst for the recent moves.

“Given what’s happening geopolitically… oil prices are going to spike,” Lichtenfeld explained. “I’d be surprised if oil comes all the way back down and settles where it was before the war started.”

One key factor investors are watching is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for global oil flows. If that route is disrupted, the impact on prices could be significant. “Until we know that the Strait of Hormuz is wide open and traffic can flow through there freely, there’s going to be price pressure on oil,” he added.

Because of that uncertainty, Lichtenfeld is focusing on companies operating primarily in North America rather than those that rely heavily on overseas supply chains.

APA Offers Value in the Upstream Segment

The first stock highlighted was APA Corporation (NASDAQ: APA), an oil and gas producer operating primarily in the Permian Basin and the North Sea. APA represents the upstream portion of the industry—companies that extract oil and gas from the ground.

Lichtenfeld noted the company’s improving financial performance and attractive valuation. “It’s a company that’s been around for a long time, it’s well managed and generating lots of cash flow,” he said. “It trades at just eight times earnings and less than three times cash flow, so I think it’s a bargain.”

APA has also made progress on cost reductions, reaching savings goals earlier than expected. Those efficiency gains could help boost margins and support continued earnings growth. For investors seeking exposure to oil producers without paying premium valuations for larger names, APA may represent an attractive opportunity.

Marathon Petroleum Could Benefit From Refining Margins

The second company discussed was Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: MPC), which represents the downstream side of the industry. Marathon operates the largest refining system in the United States and can process roughly three million barrels of oil per day, giving it scale when refining margins expand.

Periods of oil price volatility can actually help refiners. “When oil prices are volatile or rising, you tend to see margins improve at refineries,” Lichtenfeld explained. That dynamic has already appeared in the company’s results, which show strong earnings growth and continued significant cash flow.

Lichtenfeld also pointed to the stock’s technical trend as supportive of a bullish outlook. “I like to buy things that are rising,” he said. “I’m not a bottom feeder. I don’t try to pick the bottom.”

With the stock already trading in a strong uptrend, Marathon could continue to benefit if oil-market volatility keeps refining margins elevated.

Enterprise Products Partners Provides Income and Stability

The final stock focuses on the midstream segment: pipeline infrastructure. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE: EPD)operates a vast network of pipelines that transport oil and natural gas across the United States.

Midstream companies often generate stable cash flow because they operate more like infrastructure providers than commodity producers. “These companies are basically toll collectors,” Lichtenfeld said. “The companies transporting their oil and gas just pay a fee to use the pipeline.”

Because of that structure, Enterprise Products Partners produces consistent income for investors. The partnership currently offers a distribution yield of nearly 6% and has increased its payout for more than 25 consecutive years. Its master limited partnership structure also offers potential tax advantages for income-focused investors.

Diversification Within Energy

A central theme from the conversation was diversification within the energy sector itself. Rather than concentrating on a single segment, Lichtenfeld favors a mix of upstream, midstream and downstream companies.

That approach helps balance risk, since each segment tends to perform differently depending on market conditions. With oil prices sensitive to global events and supply risks, energy stocks could remain in focus throughout the year. For investors looking to position themselves in the sector, these three companies offer exposure to different parts of the energy ecosystem while potentially benefiting from continued volatility.

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Published by RJ Hamster

I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis. I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God. I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree. Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons. I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA. While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon.. In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God. We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987). From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting. Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982. I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects. In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston. In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018. Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia. In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey. As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova. Love and God Bless, Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi

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