Analysts Predict Oil Prices Will Stay Above $100 for Rest of 2026

Global oil prices are expected to remain above $100 per barrel for much of the rest of 2026 as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt supply routes and shake energy markets worldwide.

Several major financial institutions, including JPMorgan, Barclays and Goldman Sachs, have revised their forecasts upward amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz; one of the world’s most critical oil shipping corridors.

In a recent market note, JPMorgan reportedly projected that crude oil prices would remain in the “low $100s” for most of the year as supply disruptions persist and global inventories tighten.

Barclays has also raised its 2026 Brent crude forecast to $100 per barrel, warning that prices could climb even higher if instability in the Gulf region worsens or shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz fail to normalize soon.

Goldman Sachs similarly warned that Brent crude could remain above $100 through the end of the year under what it described as an “adverse case” scenario tied to prolonged disruptions in Gulf oil exports. The investment bank said prices could temporarily surge above $120 if supply shortages intensify.

The forecasts come amid continuing fallout from tensions involving Iran and the wider Middle East conflict, which analysts say has created the largest oil supply disruption in modern history. Around 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments normally pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Reuters reported that oil markets remain highly volatile despite intermittent ceasefire discussions between the United States and Iran. Energy companies have largely resisted increasing production aggressively, with many firms prioritizing shareholder returns over expansion.

Industry analysts warn that prolonged high oil prices could increase inflation worldwide, raise transport and food costs, and slow economic growth in both developed and emerging economies. Asian countries heavily dependent on Gulf oil imports are considered especially vulnerable to extended disruptions.

While some institutions such as JPMorgan still believe prices could eventually ease if shipping routes fully reopen, most analysts agree that energy markets are likely to remain unstable for the foreseeable future.