Updated

Strategists at Barclays warned that a significant rally in equities as the year winds down would likely require oil prices to fall or stabilize, even as the fourth quarter historically ranks as the best-performing period for stocks. The analysis suggests that crude's recent strength has weighed on equity sentiment and that lower energy prices could be a prerequisite for a strong finish to 2026. The forecast underscores the persistent linkage between commodity prices and broader market direction despite the technology-heavy composition of major equity indexes.