Bet on These 5 Low-Leverage Stocks as Oil Prices Continue to Rise

Rising oil prices and stalled U.S.-Iran peace talks pressured U.S. equities on April 23, 2026, prompting Zacks to recommend defensive, low-leverage stocks as hedges against energy-driven volatility. The piece highlights five fiscally conservative picks—H World Group, NVIDIA, FTI Consulting, HSBC Holdings and Stantec—selected via a screen emphasizing below-industry median debt/equity, solid earnings trends, liquidity and Zacks style/VGM scores. NVIDIA is singled out for a projected 65.4% jump in fiscal 2027 revenue and strong multi-year earnings growth, while H World reported double-digit GMV and M&F revenue growth. The article frames these names as lower-risk ways to navigate higher oil prices and market weakness, recommending investors favor balance-sheet strength amid geopolitical and rate uncertainty.