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GeopoliticsMediumUpdated×2•Originally published 20 April 2026•Updated 22 April 2026•

1 min read

Strait of Hormuz Re-closure Sparks Energy Fears as SanDisk Joins Nasdaq-100

US flag on map, Middle East map, warships, oil tankers, oil barrels, and naval mines on water, with trade routes and an upward trend graph.

Key Facts

1The Strait of Hormuz has been closed again amid escalating geopolitical turmoil between the U.S. and Iran.

about 1 month ago

Version History

Version 2about 1 month ago

What changed: The story was updated to reflect rising oil prices in early trading due to prospects of a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Version 1about 1 month ago

What changed: Updated to include the 664% surge in the BWET ETF and the impact of the February 2026 closure on VLCC shipping capacity.

Oil prices rose in early trading as market expectations shifted toward a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying global energy supply concerns. The ongoing closure in February 2026 has caused severe supply chain disruptions, forcing longer shipping routes and tightening Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) capacity. Consequently, the Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF (BWET) has surged by a staggering 664% year-to-date, driven by skyrocketing tanker shipping rates. Meanwhile, short interest in the BWET ETF has increased significantly as traders anticipate a reversal in shipping costs once geopolitical tensions stabilize. Amidst these energy concerns, SanDisk (SNDK) has officially joined the Nasdaq-100 index, providing a specific catalyst for the tech sector.