Carnival, Malibu Boats Gain as WTI Crude Plunges 4.7% on Iran-US Peace Deal Progress

Travel-related stocks jumped on May 26, 2026, after WTI crude oil futures crashed 4.7% to $92.94 a barrel, driven by progress in Iran-US peace negotiations. The drop directly lowered jet fuel and bunker fuel costs for airlines, cruise lines, and hotels, boosting margins. Carnival (CCL) and Malibu Boats (MBUU) rose along with the sector. The oil selloff coincides with a surprising shift in consumer spending. Despite inflation concerns, The Conference Board’s May survey showed increased intentions to spend on hotels and airfare for personal travel, prioritizing experiences over goods. The combination of cheaper fuel and resilient vacation demand supports a positive near-term outlook for travel operators. Malibu Boats shares, which have been volatile with 17 moves above 5% in the past year, added to gains. Still, the stock remains 27.7% below its 52-week high of $39.52 from August 2025, trading at $28.58. In a previous notable move two weeks ago, the stock dropped 4.3% after April CPI data showed accelerating inflation.