And while President Trump is determined to reach a deal, officials in Israel say that it’s unlikely that Iran would agree to U.S. demands. 

Sure, the idea of positive talks between Iran and the U.S. sent markets screaming higher yesterday. However, “No negotiations have been held with the US,” Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, said, as quoted by the Associated Press. “And fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.”

That’s creating even more uncertainty, with investors unsure of what’s really happening. As we all know, markets hate uncertainty, which is why markets are red again. Adding to that uncertainty, analysts at Citigroup (NYSE: C) believe oil could eventually test $200.

“We posit that the ongoing loss of energy supply to [the] global economy is so large (larger than the shocks of the 1970s as a share of oil supply) that it simply must be solved, either militarily or diplomatically, and that through various potential channels this occurs by mid-late April,” said the firm, as quoted by MarketWatch.com.

The firm expects things to only get worse, with Brent possibly running to at least $120 over the next month. If we see prolonged energy production through June, $200 oil could become a reality. “They come up with that number based on the typical relationship between inventory and price, given the world is now without 13.5 million barrels per day, taking out some 400 million barrels per month, due to Strait of Hormuz disruptions,” added MarketWatch.com.

That would aggressively force oil stocks and ETFs higher until demand destruction sets in.

So, what’s the best way to trade the news?

Investors can always jump into Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM), Chevron (NYSE: CVX), and Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY). However, if you want to diversify at a lower cost, ETFs offer good value.  In fact, here are three energy ETFs pushing higher with oil that we’ve been pounding the table over for months.

SPDR Energy Select Sector ETF (XLE)

With an expense ratio of 0.09%, the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA: XLE) provides exposure to companies in the oil, gas and consumable fuel, energy equipment and services industries, as noted by State Street SPDR. Since February 20, the XLE ETF has run from about $54.50 to a high of $59.80.

SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP)

With an expense ratio of 0.35%, the SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (NYSEARCA: XOP) provides exposure to 51 stocks in the oil and gas exploration and production segment of the S&P TMI, which comprises the following sub-industries: Integrated Oil & Gas, Oil & Gas Exploration & Production, and Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing, as noted by State Street SPDR. Since February 20, the XOP ETF has run from about $150 to $175.

iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC)

With an expense ratio of 0.40%, the iShares Global Energy ETF (NYSEARCA: IXC) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the energy sector. Some of its 50 holdings include Exxon Mobil, Chevron Corporation, BP PLC (NYSE: BP), Total SA, and EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG). Since February 20, the IXC ETF has run from about $50.60 to $55.90 so far.

Best Energy ETFs to Watch as Oil Prices Rise

With geopolitical tensions showing no sign of easing and oil prices under continued pressure from Strait of Hormuz disruptions, energy ETFs remain one of the most compelling opportunities in the market. XLE, XOP, and IXC have all demonstrated strong momentum since late February, and analysts warn that further price spikes could push these funds even higher.

For investors seeking diversified exposure to rising oil prices without picking individual stocks, energy ETFs offer a cost-effective, flexible solution worth watching closely.

Also, President Trump has publicly sided with cryptocurrency firms in their ongoing battle with U.S. banks. The dispute centers on whether crypto companies should be allowed to offer interest-like rewards on stablecoins, according to CNBC. On his X page, Trump stated:

“The Genius Act is being threatened and undermined by the Banks, and that is unacceptable – We are not going to allow it. The U.S. needs to get Market Structure done, ASAP. Americans should earn more money on their money.”

The key issue is whether exchanges like Coinbase should be permitted to offer rewards programs that pay customers an annual percentage yield (APY) for holding stablecoins. In many cases, these yields are higher than traditional bank deposit rates, which are currently near zero.

Banks are concerned that these higher yields could pull money out of traditional accounts. According to reports, banking groups have been lobbying lawmakers, warning that high-yield crypto products could drain deposits and weaken lenders. Executives from major banks such as JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) and Citigroup (NYSE: C) have reportedly pushed for tighter regulation or limits on crypto rewards programs.

How to Trade This Opportunity

If crypto-friendly legislation gains traction in the Senate, there are a few ways investors could position themselves.  One is by trading Coinbase. Another way is to jump into Bitcoin-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are beginning to rally again, too.

Here are a few ETF options for trading the long side of Bitcoin:

ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO)

With an expense ratio of 0.95%, BITO gives investors exposure to Bitcoin without needing to manage crypto wallets or private keys. Instead, you can buy it through a regular brokerage account. As noted by Money, one of the main attractions of crypto ETFs like BITO is their convenience. That is, investors get Bitcoin exposure without the technical complexity.

YieldMax Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF (YBIT)

YBIT has an expense ratio of 0.99% and a yield of 1.54%. It does not invest directly in Bitcoin. Instead, it uses a synthetic covered call strategy on select U.S.-listed Bitcoin exchange-traded products (ETPs). The goal is to generate current income.  The advantage? Investors don’t need to understand options strategies. You can simply buy the ETF, potentially benefit from Bitcoin’s upside, and collect dividend income along the way.

NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI)

With an expense ratio of 0.98%, a 30-day yield of 2.76%, and a distribution rate of 27.25%, the NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI) seeks to distribute monthly income generated from writing call options on Bitcoin Futures ETFs. It also pays out a dividend every month. 

Grayscale Bitcoin Covered Call ETF (BTCC)

With an expense ratio of 0.66%, a 30-day yield of 3.24%, and a distribution rate of 59.36%, the Grayscale Bitcoin Covered Call ETF (BTCC) generates income through covered call writing on Bitcoin exchange-traded products (BTPs). The fund does not directly invest in digital assets. In addition, the ETF distributes dividends twice per month.

Simplify Bitcoin Strategy PLUS Income ETF (MAXI)

With an expense ratio of 6.1%, a distribution rate of 13.49%, and a monthly dividend, the Simplify Bitcoin Strategy PLUS Income ETF (MAXI) seeks to generate capital gains and income while providing exposure to Bitcoin. It also generates income by selling short-dated put and/or call spreads on indices, ETFs, and stocks. All of which appeals to investors seeking growth potential and income from their investments.

Crypto Policy Could Be the Next Catalyst for Bitcoin

Bitcoin’s recent weakness triggered a pullback in many crypto-related stocks, but that correction may now be creating a new opportunity for investors. If Bitcoin successfully establishes a bottom and begins trending higher again, companies like Coinbase could benefit from renewed trading activity and investor demand.

At the same time, political support for crypto-friendly policies — including stablecoin reward programs — could serve as an additional catalyst for the industry. For investors who want exposure but prefer not to hold Bitcoin directly, ETFs tied to Bitcoin futures or income-generating strategies offer several alternatives. Whether through Coinbase stock or Bitcoin-focused ETFs, the sector may be entering another period where regulatory momentum and market sentiment align to support higher prices.

Apple Draws Analyst Upgrades Ahead of Earnings

Expecting a solid report, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) reiterated its overweight rating on Apple and raised its price target to $315 from $305 ahead of Apple’s first-quarter earnings.

Evercore ISI added Apple to its Tactical Outperform list, arguing that strong iPhone demand positions the company for strong earnings. The firm reiterated an Outperform rating and a $330 price target on Apple stock. Evercore expects iPhone revenue to climb 17% year over year, which would be well above calls for 11% growth.

And, according to CEO Tim Cook, “First-quarter revenue is expected to demonstrate year-over-year growth ranging from 10% to 12%, which translates to $136.7 billion to $139.2 billion. This would easily eclipse Apple’s previous record-high quarterly revenue of $124.3 billion, set in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. What’s more, it would stand as Apple’s most significant year-over-year revenue jump since the first quarter of fiscal 2022, when it posted an 11.2% increase,” as quoted by Seeking Alpha.

However, Apple isn’t the only stock that analysts are gushing over.

Meta Surges as Analyst Upgrades Follow Blowout Results

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) exploded after the company posted EPS of $8.88 on revenue of $59.89 billion. Those came in above estimates for $8.23 and $58.59 billion. Meta also issued strong guidance, expecting first-quarter sales of $53.5 billion to $56.5 billion, which is above estimates of $51.41 billion.

Analysts loved the news, with Barclays raising its price target to $800 from $770, with an overweight rating.

“After a jittery response to 3Q, META got back to business in 4Q. More impressive than the massive capex/opex growth is the ad rev trajectory, eclipsing 30% in 1Q, papering over many investor concerns. META continues to set the pace for the digital ad industry, with AI option value still ahead,” added the firm, as quoted by CNBC.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) has an overweight rating with an $825 price target. JPMorgan has an overweight rating with an $825 price target. Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) has a buy rating with an $835 price target. Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) has an overweight rating with an $849 price target. Citigroup (NYSE: C) has a buy rating with an $850 price target. UBS Group (NYSE: UBS) also has a buy rating with an $872 price target.

Bank of America Reiterates Buy on IBM

Analysts at Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) just reiterated a buy rating on IBM (NYSE: IBM), with a price target of $340. The firm noted that IBM posted an overall beat on topline numbers thanks to upside in Infrastructure, improving Transaction processing and solid growth in Data.

Not only did it just declare a $1.68 per share dividend (payable on March 10 for shareholders of record as of February 10), it also posted EPS of $4.52 billion, which was above expectations by 23 cents. Revenue of $19.69 billion, up 12.2%, beat by $480 million.

“In the fourth quarter, we delivered strong revenue growth, with double-digit Software performance. Additionally, Infrastructure continued its double-digit revenue growth with the robust adoption of the next generation of our mainframe platform. Our generative AI book of business now stands at more than $12.5 billion. This capped a strong 2025 for IBM where we exceeded expectations for revenue, profit and free cash flow,” said Arvind Krishna, IBM chairman, president and chief executive officer. 

“We enter 2026 with momentum and in a position of strength, giving us confidence in our full-year expectations of more than 5 percent constant currency revenue growth and an increase of about $1 billion in year-over-year free cash flow.”

Microsoft Slides on Guidance, But Analyst Support Holds

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) reported that cloud growth slowed in the second quarter. It also issued soft guidance on operating margins. 

The good news is that MSFT’s EPS of $4.14 was better than the estimates of $3.97. Revenue of $81.27 billion was also higher than the estimates for $80.27 billion. With guidance, the company called for revenue of between $80.65 billion and $81.75 billion, with its mid-range of $81.2 billion meeting estimates of $81.19 billion.

With the stock dropping, Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB) reiterated a buy rating on MSFT with a $575 price target. The firm noted that MSFT “reported another solid result for F2Q, but it ultimately fell short of more lofty market expectations, in particular for Azure growth,” as quoted by CNBC.

Analyst Upgrades Signal Continued Confidence in Big Tech

The latest round of analyst upgrades after earnings suggests Wall Street remains confident in the long-term outlook for Big Tech. While short-term volatility may follow guidance updates or elevated expectations, consistent earnings strength and AI-driven growth continue to support bullish sentiment across the sector.

In fact, the firm reiterated its overweight rating on Apple and raised its price target to $315 from $305 ahead of Apple’s first-quarter earnings report on Thursday.

“We see a positive set up for the shares heading into F1Q26 (Dec-end) earnings print as AAPL shares are trading at 30x NTM (next 12 months) P/E, below the peak multiple that is typical for the shares heading into a key iPhone product cycle (previous peak of ~32x into 5G cycle), in combination with the modest upsides in relation to both F1Q26 print and the F2Q26 outlook,” added the firm, as quoted by CNBC.

One bullish analyst rating is good. Two is better, and three is a pattern. That’s the case with Apple.

Evercore ISI added Apple to its Tactical Outperform list, arguing that strong iPhone demand positions the company for strong earnings. The firm reiterated an Outperform rating and a $330 price target on Apple stock. Evercore expects iPhone revenue to climb 17% year over year, which would be well above calls for 11% growth. 

Analysts at Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) say that the surge in demand for iPhone 17 models carried through the end of the year. The firm expects to see Apple beat earnings, thanks to the sale of 82 million iPhone units, which was ahead of consensus estimates.

Apple has a chance to move markets when it reports earnings on Jan. 29 after the market closes. However, you’ll also want to pay attention to these two stocks, which are also drawing bullish analyst attention.

Meta Platforms: Expectations for Confirmation of CapEx Spend

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) has been rocketing higher heading into earnings on Thursday. The stock is up over 9% in the five trading days ending Jan. 26.

Analysts expect Meta to generate earnings of $8.29 per share, an increase of 3.4% from $8.02 per share reported year over year. For the current year, analysts forecast the company to report an EPS of $29.40, a 23.2% increase from $23.86 reported for FY 2024. EPS is expected to grow 4.2% year over year to $30.63 in fiscal 2026.

With this report, we’re looking for growth in its investments in data centers and hardware. That’s in addition to what it’s spending on R&D, which jumped about 50% over the last few years, as the company aggressively invests in artificial intelligence. 

Analysts at Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) just reiterated a buy rating on the stock with an $810 price target. The firm expects fourth-quarter revenue of $59.2 billion and earnings per share of $8.27, above consensus estimates of $58.3 billion and $8.20, respectively. 

For the first quarter of 2026, the firm expects revenue of $52.3 billion and EPS of $6.31, compared to Street expectations of $51.2 billion and $6.29. The firm anticipates Meta will guide to first-quarter revenue between $50 to $52.5 billion, representing 18 to 24% year-over-year growth.

Can PayPal Show That Growth is Strengthening?

In contrast to the first two names, PayPal Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) is limping into earnings, down just over 3% in 2026. The fintech giant won’t report this week, but it’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings report, which will be released on Feb. 3, will be closely watched.

After four consecutive quarters of beating estimates, the company continues to attract attention.  This time around, the company is expected to post EPS of between $1.29 and $1.34 on sales of about $8.76 billion, which would show modest year-over-year (YoY) growth. 

For the full fiscal year 2025, the company is expected to post EPS of $5.36, up about 15% year over year. For fiscal 2026, EPS is expected to jump 9.3% year over year to $5.86.

However, there are concerns about slowing growth and competitive pressure. In fact, in the last reported quarter, active accounts grew only about 1% year-over-year, while total payment transactions declined 5%. Plus, there were signs that users weren’t transacting as often.

Analysts have a consensus price target of $71.44 on PYPL stock, a 21% gain from its closing price on Jan. 26. If PayPal can show that those numbers are turning around, the stock could have much more upside.

Analysts Can Lead You to What Earnings Season Will Reveal for Apple and Others

Apple appears well-positioned heading into its earnings release, supported by strong iPhone demand and rising analyst confidence. Meta Platforms also enters its report with solid expectations, fueled by continued advertising strength and aggressive investments in artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, PayPal faces a more mixed outlook, with earnings growth expected but lingering concerns around user engagement and transaction volumes.