Energy Stocks Defy Market Turmoil in Hunt for Inflation Hedge

The energy sector has pulled off a rare feat: It’s the only industry group in the S&P 500 Index to rise in the month of March.

Driven by investors looking for a natural hedge against tariff-driven inflation, the S&P 500 Energy Index has climbed 4.1% in March, clobbering the broader equity market, which is down 6.9% over the same period. The gains have also beat the 1% advance in oil prices, primarily on the potential for more sanctions and tariffs on Russia after a volatile month.