Brent Crude Tops $100 After Reports of Tanker Attacks Near Saudi Arabia. Should Investors Buy Oil Stocks Now?

Brent crude jumped 7% above $100 per barrel after Houthi forces attacked Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea. The strikes add to existing supply-route disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea corridor, prompting Goldman Sachs to warn that crude could hit $120 per barrel if tensions escalate further.

Brent has surged 65% year-to-date, yet major oil equities have lagged with only modest gains. The disconnect creates a potential entry point for traders eyeing energy exposure. Historical precedent shows oil stocks eventually track underlying commodity moves during sustained supply shocks, though the timing remains uncertain.

Goldman's $120 target implies another 20% upside from current levels if Middle Eastern disruptions persist or widen. The Red Sea route handles significant global crude flows, and any prolonged Houthi campaign against Saudi infrastructure would tighten an already constrained market.