This Group of Stocks Is Surging Due to the Surge in Oil Prices. Should You Invest?

Refiner stocks are surging on crack spreads—refiner profit margins—that have hit record highs of $64 per barrel, according to The Motley Fool. The catalyst: a global refining capacity shortage of 5 million barrels per day, driven by geopolitical conflicts and infrastructure damage that have taken refineries offline.

The capacity crunch has pushed refiners to significantly outperform both the broader energy sector and the S&P 500. Unlike crude oil price volatility, which can reverse quickly on demand shifts or diplomatic breakthroughs, the refining capacity deficit stems from physical infrastructure constraints that take years to resolve. New refinery construction faces long lead times and regulatory hurdles, while damaged facilities require extensive repairs.

The Motley Fool argues the capacity shortage will outlast near-term oil price swings, making refiners a durable play even as crude remains volatile. The $64 crack spread—more than double historical norms—reflects structural supply tightness rather than transient speculation.