The war between the US and Israel and Iran has caused a crisis that is hitting the budgets of families, businesses and individual countries. However, even in such difficult times, some companies and sectors are reporting record profits, benefiting from the growing demand for their services.
Oil companies and banks are making money from the war with Iran
About one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Its closure resulted in a significant increase in the prices of these raw materials. As the BBC notes, TotalEnergies saw profits increase by almost a third, reaching $5.4 billion. in the first quarter of 2026
In turn, ExxonMobil and Chevron, despite declining profits compared to last year, exceeded analysts' expectations and predict further profit growth in the coming months.
The war in Iran also brought an increase in profits for the world's largest banks. JP Morgan's trading department achieved a record $11.6 billion. revenue in the first quarter of 2026. Other banks from the so-called the big six – Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo and JP Morgan – also saw significant earnings growth during the period.
In total, these institutions reported USD 47.7 billion. profit for the first three months of 2026
Growing interest in renewable energy sources
The conflict in the Middle East has also highlighted the need to become independent from fossil fuels. One of the beneficiaries of this situation is NextEra Energy from Florida, whose shares have already increased by 17% since the beginning of the year. Danish wind energy companies such as Vestas and Orsted also reported profit increases, showing that the conflict in Iran is translating into the growing importance of green energy companies.
The BBC notes that the arms sector is also one of the direct beneficiaries of the conflict in the Middle East. BAE Systems, manufacturer of, among others, components for F35 fighters, says it expects strong sales and profit growth this year.
Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Northrop Grumman – three of the world's largest producers of military equipment – declared record order portfolios at the end of the first quarter of 2026. Since mid-March, the prices of defense companies began to decline due to concerns about the overvaluation of the industry.
