Why Is Chevron Stock Surging on Thursday?

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) stock surged Thursday as rising crude prices brightened the earnings outlook for major oil producers. The Nasdaq is down 1.60% while the S&P 500 has shed 0.67%.

On Thursday, UBS maintained its Buy rating on Chevron and raised its price forecast to $235.

Crude oil surpassed $92.60 a barrel on Thursday, hitting its highest level in nearly a month as shipping recovery signs in the Strait of Hormuz faltered.

Reports indicated a tanker was struck north of Qatar on Wednesday, while maritime security sources noted tanker attacks in the Strait reached a war-high last week.

According to Trading Economics, the White House asked the Pentagon for pre-midterm Iran strike options, while U.S. President Donald Trump stated he no longer sought an Iran deal.

Gulf Production Update

Chevron said Wednesday it is monitoring Tropical Storm Isaias. Non-essential personnel are being evacuated from Gulf platforms, though production at Chevron-operated assets remains normal.

Midstream Restructuring

Separately, on Tuesday, Chevron agreed to transfer its Hess Midstream LP (NYSE:HESM) ownership and DJ Basin assets to Hess Midstream for $200 million in cash. Chevron expects a 50% cut in Bakken unit midstream costs and a $3 billion to $4 billion charge.

Technical Analysis

Chevron remains in a clear longer-term uptrend, trading 12.5% above its 200-day SMA and 9.2% above its 100-day SMA, which signals buyers have controlled the intermediate trend for months. The 20-day SMA is also above the 50-day SMA, and the 50-day SMA is above the 200-day SMA—two bullish crossover conditions that typically support "buy-the-dip" behavior.

From a levels standpoint, the stock is approaching an area where rallies can stall near prior highs, while the first meaningful "line in the sand" sits closer to the recent pullback zone.

• Key Resistance: $218 — a nearby round-number area that lines up with the 52-week high zone where breakouts can fail on the first try
• Key Support: $201 — a nearby pivot area that also sits close to the 50-day/20-day moving-average cluster, where dip-buyers may defend the trend.

CVX Price Action: Chevron shares were up 3.09% at $211.49 at the time of publication on Thursday. The stock is approaching its 52-week high of $217.78, according to Benzinga Pro data.

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