XLE, VDE, IXC ETFs Hit Record Highs as Inflows Jump as Brent Crude Targets $120

Top energy exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are seeing strong inflows as crude oil prices rally amid the escalating US-Iran crisis. The State Street Energy Select Sector ETF (AMEX:XLE)/a>, Vanguard Energy ETF (NYSE:VDE)/a>, and iShares Global Energy ETF (NYSE:IXC)/a> have all jumped to a record high.

XLE ended the week at $69, lifting its year-to-date gain to 53%, while VDE and IXC have surged 51.8% and 53%, respectively. Inflows have also climbed, with the three funds attracting $1.43 billion, $940 million, and $700 million, respectively./p> figure class="wp-block-image size-large">img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="567" src="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/XLE_2026-10-24_11-37-23-1024x567.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1701256" srcset="https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/XLE_2026-10-24_11-37-23-1024x567.png 1024w, https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/XLE_2026-10-24_11-37-23-300x166.png 300w, https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/XLE_2026-10-24_11-37-23-767x425.png 767w, https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/XLE_2026-10-24_11-37-23-1536x851.png 1536w, https://editorial.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/XLE_2026-10-24_11-37-23-2048x1134.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />figcaption class="wp-element-caption">XLE, VDE, and IXC ETFs have soared | Source: TradingView/figcaption>

Crude Oil Prices Have Continued Rising

Energy ETFs are benefiting from the ongoing crude oil price surge. Brent, the global benchmark, ended the week at $117.40, up 68% from its July low. Similarly, the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose to $103.45, its highest point since September 16.

Oil prices have continued to climb this month amid expectations of a further escalation between the US and Iran. Media reports suggest that the US and Israel are planning another intense attack on Iran, a move Trump believes will force its leaders to capitulate. Speaking in Florida, Trump said the US may have to carry out another "Epic Fury."/p> div class="bz-read-next-block" data-variant="card" data-news-mode="manual" >

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Iran, on the other hand, has warned that its response to another attack will be more severe. It has warned that it will hit energy and other civilian infrastructure in the region. These targets could be oil terminals, pipelines, and refineries.

Oil prices also held steady as the crisis between the US and Ukraine continued. Ukraine carried out major attacks against Russian energy assets this week as the "energy ceasefire" that Trump touted failed.

Crude Oil Technicals Suggest it May Hit $120

Technicals suggest that oil will jump to $120. The daily chart shows that Brent continued its strong rally this week. It soared above the important resistance level of $109.96, its highest level on September 11, invalidating the forming double-top pattern.

The Average Directional Index (ADX) has jumped to 32.8, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) has moved to 74, a sign that it is gaining momentum. As such, the price may soar to $120 and above as the crisis escalates./p> figure class="wp-block-image size-large">img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="567" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/24043659/Crude-Oil-Price-1-1024x567.png" alt="Crude oil price" class="wp-image-1701254" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/24043659/Crude-Oil-Price-1-1024x567.png 1024w, https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/24043659/Crude-Oil-Price-1-300x166.png 300w, https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/24043659/Crude-Oil-Price-1-767x425.png 767w, https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/24043659/Crude-Oil-Price-1-1536x851.png 1536w, https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/24043659/Crude-Oil-Price-1-2048x1134.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Brent crude oil price chart | Source: TradingView/figcaption>

Rising Prices are Boosting Energy Stocks

The ongoing crude oil price surge has boosted companies in the energy sector. FactSet (NYSE:FDS)/a>, energy companies are reporting an average earnings growth of 15.4%, much higher than 8.1% in the same period last year. The energy sector is one of the best-performing one in the S&P 500 this year.

Top companies in the industry have jumped to a record high. ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM)/a> jumped to a record high of $183, bringing its valuation to $753 billion. Chevron (NYSE:CVX)/a> soared to $233, with its valuation hitting $460 billion. Other top names like ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum, and Valero Energy have also soared to a record high./p> div class="bz-read-next-block" data-variant="card" data-news-mode="manual" >

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