Oil Up 58% YTD, Outperforms Other Major Asset Classes As Prices Spikes Amid Iran Conflict

Oil is displaying strong performance this year, currently up 58% YTD (year-to-date), according to data disclosed today by market analyst Ali Martinez. As per the analyst’s revelation, oil has had a strong year as its bull market remains stable, making a return of 58% YTD, which it positions itself as one of the top-performing asset classes this year.

Crude oil is categorized as a commodity, an asset class that functions as a popular investment vehicle that people use to access economic growth. Just like investment in gold, silver, and other various asset classes, investing in oil has become a common method that global investors use as a safe-haven, providing them with means to hedge their investment portfolios.

Oil is now outperforming, up 58% YTD. pic.twitter.com/vfZxULLJjn

— Ali Charts (@alicharts) March 8, 2026

Oil YTD Returns Compared To Other Assets

The record above shows that oil delivered strong gains over the past 12 months, substantially outperforming major asset classes like stocks and several others. Based on the latest NASDAQ data, gold continues to maintain its position as the top performer in the asset class industry. As pointed out in the NASDAQ metrics, gold has gained massive exceptional 59.6% returns in terms of YTD, outperforming the industry.

Oil is the second-best performer, delivering remarkable 58% YTD returns on the back of its appeal as a safe haven, based on the Martinize data. Silver followed closely as its YTD is currently up 52%, making it third on the list.

In short, the data above indicates that Gold, Oil, and Silver lead in YTD performance in the asset class industry. The three assets have been the standout performers in 2026, catalyzed by elevated global geopolitical uncertainty, increased inflation, and strong price momentum.

Crypto Market Decline As Geopolitical Risk Remains

While the cryptocurrency market continues to experience heavy stress tests due to the rising tensions in the Middle East, the Iran conflict has contributed to the best performance of Oil markets. The war significantly boosted US Gulf oil prices to climb to the highest level since 2020. The conflict encouraged producers of crude oil to limit production, a development that has spurred heightened demand among buyers who are willing to purchase oil at high prices to meet consumer needs.

Today, the wider cryptocurrency market remains down following Iran’s move to attack a US-linked oil tanker based in the Persian Gulf, near Saudi Arabia, making Bitcoin and Ethereum trade at $67,730 and $1,963, respectively.