“It’s a recognition that the energy sector doesn’t have anywhere near the same clout it used to,” an energy analyst at CFRA Research said at the time.

“[Exxon] and other global majors are enjoying a rare moment in time where all key businesses have highly constructive supply and demand fundamentals,” JPMorgan strategists said in a note to clients published earlier this month.

“The earnings momentum will be strong,” Clint said. The company has also been working to pay down its debt, according to JPMorgan.

A note of caution: Traders desperate to chase returns in an unpredictable market are finding fresh appeal in the energy sector. And it’s true that US oil and gas companies stand to benefit from current price dynamics.

But over the longer term, firms that produce fossil fuels could still face enormous pressure as countries ramp up efforts to meet emissions targets.

“You want to be careful,” Clint said. “I think the direction of investing will continue to push for climate-aligned strategies.”

World Bank and OECD issue warnings on global slowdown

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and high inflation are set to weigh heavily on global growth this year and next, the World Bank and the OECD are warning in new reports.

Breaking it down: The World Bank now expects the global economy to grow at an annualized pace of just 2.9% this year, instead of the 4.1% predicted back in January. That’s down sharply from 5.7% growth in 2021.

“The war in Ukraine, lockdowns in China, supply-chain disruptions and the risk of stagflation are hammering growth,” Malpass said.

Stagflation, which refers to stagnant economic growth and high inflation, has become a growing concern. The trend was last a major worry in the late 1970s, when an oil shock and sluggish economy led to two downturns in the early 1980s.

The OECD said Wednesday that it now projects global growth will drop sharply to around 3% this year and fall to 2.8% in 2023. In December, the organization forecast growth of 4.5% this year.

“This slowdown is directly attributable to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression, which is causing lower real incomes, lower growth and fewer job opportunities worldwide,” OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said.

Take note: The International Monetary Fund typically considers the global economy to be in recession when growth falls to 2.5% or lower. Based on these new estimates, the world is edging closer to that mark.

Why Target is ramping up discounts

The retail giant said Tuesday that it plans to mark down prices on some bigger-ticket items that consumers have stopped purchasing and cancel pending orders from suppliers.

It’s a sharp reversal from much of the past two years, when discounts were scarce and supply constraints meant consumers often couldn’t find what they wanted, my CNN Business colleague Nathaniel Meyersohn reports.

Stores and brands were able to sell merchandise at full price to consumers who had built up savings while staying home during lockdowns. They were eager to spend big on their homes and wardrobes.

But many shoppers in recent months have altered their purchasing choices in response to the strongest inflation in decades and the end of pandemic-era support from the government. Consumers are making fewer high-end purchases and buying more necessities like food, household staples and self-care items.

Even big chains like Target have been caught off guard by the pace and scale of the pivot. Now, they’re racing to alter their strategy for stocking products.

Investor insight: Target shares plunged last month after the company reported a stunning drop in profit. They fell another 2% on Tuesday. They’re down 33% so far this year.

Up next

Also today: SEC Chair Gary Gensler is speaking at a conference at 12:30 p.m. ET. He’s expected to unveil new rules that could change the way millions of everyday investors buy and sell stocks.

Coming tomorrow: The European Central Bank will announce its latest policy decision.