Retail traders move toward energy as momentum continues

Summary

CNBC's Kate Rooney discusses early-2026 retail trading activity on Closing Bell, noting that last year's momentum has continued and that JPMorgan has seen the most individual-investor action in about eight months. Retail flows are rotating into energy and commodity-linked stocks, with VandaTrack flagging abnormal flows into Chevron, SLB, Halliburton, and XLE as investors trade Venezuela geopolitical turmoil and its effect on oil. Halliburton has seen some of the highest retail flows in about a year, though questions remain about retail's commitment to the trade. Earlier, Pippa Stevens flagged Ivanhoe Electric as a name to watch ahead of an update on its Santa Cruz copper project in Arizona.

• Pippa Stevens flagged Ivanhoe Electric as a name to watch ahead of an update on its Santa Cruz copper project in Arizona.
• Kate Rooney said retail trading momentum from last year has continued into early 2026.
• JPMorgan noted the most individual-investor action in about eight months.
• Retail flows are rotating into energy and commodity-linked stocks amid Venezuela geopolitical turmoil and its effect on oil.
• VandaTrack reported abnormal flows into Chevron, SLB, Halliburton, and oil-linked ETFs such as XLE.
• Halliburton has seen some of the highest retail flows in about a year.
• There are questions about how committed retail investors are to the energy trade.