Industrial companies such as Boeing and retailers including Costco Wholesale Corporation — even insurers such as Allstate Corporation — could win big if energy prices start to ease, according to JPMorgan. West Texas Intermediate futures fell more than 7% Monday after President Donald Trump said the U.S. and Iran had "productive" talks on the war in the Middle East, and promised to halt all U.S. strikes on energy infrastructure for five days. JPMorgan recently calculated which companies stand to gain the most from lower energy costs, for themselves and their customers. The bank screened for stocks with the greatest inverse correlation to oil prices, based on relative returns to the S & P 500 across various industries, and found these: Delta Air Lines is nearly 4% higher Monday. The stock initially fell more than 10% in response to the start of the Iran war — before recovering after the first two weeks of the conflict — on that it will be hurt by costlier jet fuel and weaker travel demand. Kate Spade and Coach owner Tapestry jumped more than 4% Monday after dropping 9% since the Middle East war began, through Friday. Tapestry has been pressured by a concern that consumer spending will narrow as energy costs rise, shrinking demand for affordable luxury providers. Las Vegas Sands is another potential winner, JPMorgan said. The casino resort owner added more than 3% Monday, in tandem with other hotel companies that advanced on optimism that an economic downturn will be avoided.
