Not so long ago, a tanker on fire in the Persian Gulf would have spiked the price of crude oil. But despite the potentially destabilizing standoff between the US and Iran, West Texas Intermediate crude oil still sells for about $10 a barrel less than a month ago.

That’s in large part due to concerns about global economic growth. But generally flat oil prices are also the most compelling evidence yet of the immense changes in global energy politics wrought by the rise of US shale oil and gas. And don’t forget this is happening as Venezuelan output is imploding, Iran is embargoed and unrest is again threatening Libya.

For the past five years, it’s become an all too familiar refrain for energy investors: Oil and gas prices drop, but sector stocks fall harder. Then when prices rebound, the shares lag the recovery.

The pattern has also largely held this year, despite the fact that the S&P Energy Index has consistently shown up among the top performing S&P 500 sectors. No matter how positive underlying conditions have become, many investors still favor the commodities to energy stocks.

On the other hand, it’s much harder to ignore the good news that’s increasingly flowing from American energy companies. First quarter 2019 results once again showcased the recovery up and down the energy value chain. And as highlighted in the previous issue, the macro outlook strongly suggests this will continue.