Market Overview - The S&P 500 index has declined approximately 4.5% since the onset of the Middle East war, with most sectors experiencing significant losses in March [1] Energy Sector - Energy stocks are performing well, with crude oil and natural gas prices surging due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, leading to an average gasoline price increase of nearly $1 [2] - ExxonMobil has risen by 3.3% this month, Chevron by almost 8%, and ConocoPhillips by 11% [2] - Large refiners such as Phillips 66, Valero Energy, and Marathon Petroleum have also seen double-digit gains [2] Computer Hardware Sector - The AI build-out is positively impacting computer hardware and storage stocks, with several companies posting strong gains in March [3] - Sandisk has shown remarkable performance, with a 559% return last year and over 210% year-to-date, including a 17% increase since the war began [4] - Western Digital has also performed well, with a 282% increase last year and a 78% rise this year, including an 11% increase in March [5] - Other notable companies include International Business Machines, Dell Technologies, and Micron Technology, with the latter climbing more than 7% this month [5][6] Cybersecurity Sector - Cybersecurity stocks are benefiting from ongoing geopolitical tensions, with companies like Palantir Technologies, Palo Alto Networks, and CrowdStrike Holdings each up more than 10% since the conflict began [7] - The demand for AI-driven security and data analytics products is expected to grow due to the nature of modern warfare [7]