Oil nudges up as investors eye Mideast conflict
Conflict results in high fuel costs
The unrest in the Middle East is driving up fuel prices
Oil prices edged up on Monday as traders watched for supply disruption risks in the Middle East following strikes by United States and British forces to stop Houthi militia in Yemen from attacking ships in the Red Sea.
Brent crude futures were up 24 cents, or 0.3%, to US$78.53 a barrel after settling 1.1% higher on Friday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at US$72.85 a barrel, up 17 cents, or 0.2%, following a near 1% gain in the previous session.
The benchmarks jumped more than 2% last week to touch their highest intraday levels this year after U.S. and British forces launched dozens of air strikes against Houthi forces in retaliation for months of attacks on Red Sea shipping that the Iran-backed fighters cast as a response to war in Gaza.
"There are supply risks for the market given the escalation in (the) Red Sea," said Warren Patterson, head of commodities research at ING. "However, for now we are not seeing any impact on oil supply. And I guess we would need to see significant escalation before that happens."
On Sunday, the Houthi militia threatened a "strong and effective response" after the United States carried out another strike overnight, ratcheting up tension. The U.S. later said it shot down a missile fired at one of its ships from Houthi militant areas of Yemen.
President Joe Biden said the United States had sent a private message to Iran about the Houthi attacks.
Several tanker owners steered clear of the Red Sea and multiple tankers changed course on Friday following the strikes, although traders were still watching out for Iran's response and impact on shipments in the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil chokepoint. The conflict has also held up at least four liquefied natural gas tankers travelling in the area.
Brent crude futures were up 24 cents, or 0.3%, to US$78.53 a barrel after settling 1.1% higher on Friday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at US$72.85 a barrel, up 17 cents, or 0.2%, following a near 1% gain in the previous session.
The benchmarks jumped more than 2% last week to touch their highest intraday levels this year after U.S. and British forces launched dozens of air strikes against Houthi forces in retaliation for months of attacks on Red Sea shipping that the Iran-backed fighters cast as a response to war in Gaza.
"There are supply risks for the market given the escalation in (the) Red Sea," said Warren Patterson, head of commodities research at ING. "However, for now we are not seeing any impact on oil supply. And I guess we would need to see significant escalation before that happens."
On Sunday, the Houthi militia threatened a "strong and effective response" after the United States carried out another strike overnight, ratcheting up tension. The U.S. later said it shot down a missile fired at one of its ships from Houthi militant areas of Yemen.
President Joe Biden said the United States had sent a private message to Iran about the Houthi attacks.
Several tanker owners steered clear of the Red Sea and multiple tankers changed course on Friday following the strikes, although traders were still watching out for Iran's response and impact on shipments in the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil chokepoint. The conflict has also held up at least four liquefied natural gas tankers travelling in the area.
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