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☆ Oil prices fall as U.S. rate cut fails to boost market sentiment
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A pump jack operates in front of a drilling rig at sunset in an oil field in Midland, Texas. Oil prices fell in Asian trading on Thursday after a larger-than-expected Federal Reserve interest rate cut sparked concerns about the U.S. economy. The U.S. central bank cut interest rates by half a percentage point on Wednesday, suggesting the Fed saw a slowing job market. That view appeared to outweigh the boost that interest rate cuts usually bring to economic activity. China's industrial output growth also slowed to a five-month low last month, and retail sales and new home prices weakened further.

Persons: Tony Sycamore, heightening Organizations: Brent, Fed, ANZ, Citi, Shandong Yulong Petrochemical Locations: Midland , Texas, U.S, China, Shandong Yulong, Gaza

☆ Oil stares at a bleak future as China's economy sputters. The good news: A market 'bust' is unlikely
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"We estimate that Brent could fall to roughly $50 per barrel in a moderate [U.S.] recession … We have a fairly benign view on the global economy," Struyven said during the conference. en Luckock global head of oil at Trafigura"Things are slowing down. Trading Giant Trafigura raised concerns about China's weak demand, and the global oil consumption tied to it. China's slowdown has spurred some to scour for alternative oil demand drivers, with a few eyeing India as a potential candidate. India is the third largest consumer of oil at around 5 million barrels of oil per day, 5% of the world's oil consumption.

Persons: Andrey Rudakov, Goldman Sachs, Brent, Struyven, Torbjörn Törnqvist, Ben Luckock, we're, Bing Chen, Gunvor Organizations: Tuapsinsky, Rosneft Oil, Bloomberg, Getty, Global Commodities, Daan, CNBC, Global, Brent, U.S, West Texas Locations: Tuapse, Russia, China, U.S, Ukraine, India, Japan, Germany, Hong

☆ Oil prices steady, with investors focusing on Fed decision
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices steadied on Wednesday, after rising in the previous two sessions, as investors await the U.S. Federal Reserve's anticipated interest rate cut, with the potential for more violence in the Middle East supporting the market. "Markets have calmed down as concerns over hurricane damage and escalating tensions in the Middle East have been factored in," said Mitsuru Muraishi, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities. "Now, investors are focusing on the Fed's rate cuts which could revitalize U.S. fuel demand and weaken the dollar," he said, predicting that oil prices are likely to maintain a bullish tone after Brent hit its lowest since 2021 last week. Traders kept bets the Fed will start an expected series of interest rate cuts with a half-percentage-point move downward on Wednesday, an expectation that may itself put pressure on central bankers to deliver just that. Oil stockpiles rose by 1.96 million barrels in the week ended Sept. 13, according to market sources citing the API figures, but gasoline and distillate stocks both rose by about 2.3 million barrels.

Persons: Hurricane Francine, Mitsuru Muraishi, Brent, Biden Organizations: U.S, U.S . Federal, Brent, Fujitomi Securities, Traders, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, American Petroleum Institute, Reuters, U.S . Energy Locations: U.S ., U.S, Israel, Lebanon, Beirut

☆ Oil extends gains on U.S. output concerns, expected drop in stockpiles
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Oil prices extended gains on Tuesday as the market eyed U.S. output concerns in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine and expectations of lower U.S. crude stockpiles. The market is keeping a close watch on the upcoming decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve on the interest rate cut. A lower interest rate will reduce the cost of borrowing and can potentially lift oil demand by supporting economic growth. "Growing expectations of an aggressive rate cut boosted sentiment across the commodities complex," said ANZ analysts in a note, adding that ongoing supply disruptions also supported oil markets. China's oil refinery output fell for a fifth month in August amid declining fuel demand and weak export margins, government data showed on Saturday.

Persons: Hurricane Francine Organizations: Brent, Federal, U.S . Bureau of Safety, U.S . Federal Reserve, ANZ, Investors Locations: U.S . Gulf, Mexico, U.S, China

☆ Oil prices inch up on Fed rate cut outlook
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices edged up in early trade on Monday amid expectations of a U.S. interest rate cut this week, though gains were capped by U.S. supply resumptions following Hurricane Francine and weaker China data. Brent crude futures for November were up 15 cents, or 0.2% at $71.76 a barrel at 0015 GMT. U.S. crude futures for October were up 23 cents, or 0.3%, at $68.88 a barrel. Still, nearly a fifth of crude oil production and 28% of natural gas output in the Gulf of Mexico remain offline in the hurricane's aftermath. A key factor that will dominate the market this week is how aggressive a rate cut the U.S. Federal Reserve will deliver following its Sept. 17-18 meeting.

Persons: Francine, Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Organizations: Brent, U.S . Federal, FedWatch, ANZ, Republican Locations: Tatarstan, Russia, U.S, China, Mexico, Gulf, Florida, Iran, Israel

☆ Oil prices extend recovery rally to cap volatile week
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Brent crude futures rose by 34 cents, or 0.5%, to $72.31 per barrel by 0016 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose by 38 cents, or 0.6%, to $69.35 a barrel. Official data showed nearly 42% of the region's oil output was shut-in as of Thursday. A shift towards lower-carbon fuels is also weighing on China's oil demand, speakers at the APPEC conference said this week. China's crude oil imports averaged 3.1% lower this year from January through August compared to the same period last year, customs data showed on Tuesday.

Persons: Phillips, Hurricane Francine, Brent, Francine Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, UBS, Organization of Petroleum, International Energy Agency, U.S . Energy, Administration Locations: Linden , New Jersey, United States, U.S . Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana, China, U.S

☆ Goldman recommends these energy stocks to play the slump in crude oil
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The sharp slump in crude oil this month has driven down energy stocks, but the pullback also presents an opportunity for investors to gain exposure to some high-quality companies, according to Goldman Sachs. Crude oil futures rebounded somewhat Wednesday, but the U.S. benchmark and Brent are still down about 8.5% and 10.4%, respectively, in September. Wall Street analysts have an average stock price target of $139 on Conoco, implying upside of nearly 37% from Wednesday's close of $102.57 per share, according to FactSet data. The Street has an average price target of $18 on Talos, suggesting nearly 70% upside from Wednesday's close of $10.84 per share, according to FactSet. EQT has an average target price of $43, based on the Street consensus among analysts, representing a return of 31% from Wednesday's close of $32.88 per share, according to FactSet.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Brent, Goldman, Neil Mehta, Mehta, Conoco, Tim Duncan, EQT, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Brent, ConocoPhillips, Wall Street, Talos, EQT Locations: U.S, Wednesday's

☆ Oil prices flat as lower demand signs outweigh U.S. hurricane impact
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Oil prices were flat on Thursday as concerns about lower demand erased the gains from the previous session spurred by Hurricane's Francine's impact on output in the U.S., the world's biggest crude producer. But with the storm set to eventually dissipate after making landfall, the oil market's attention again turned to lower demand. U.S. oil stockpiles rose across the board last week as crude imports grew and exports dipped, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday. The data also showed gasoline demand fell to its lowest since May at the same time distillate fuel demand dropped, with refinery runs also declining. Earlier in the week, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries cut its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2024 and also trimmed its expectation for next year, its second consecutive downward revision.

Persons: Hurricane's, Brent Organizations: Hurricane, Energy Information Administration, Organization of, Petroleum, International Energy, ANZ Research Locations: Nolan , Texas, U.S, U.S . Gulf, Mexico, Louisiana

☆ U.S. crude oil rises more than 1% as Francine disrupts production in Gulf of Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. crude oil jumped more than 1% to trade above $68 per barrel on Thursday, after Hurricane Francine churned through the Gulf of Mexico, disrupting oil production before making landfall in Louisiana. Oil futures rose more than 2% in the previous session as the storm threatened supplies. "Hurricane Francine has likely disrupted about 1.5mn barrels of US oil production, which we estimate will reduce September production in the Gulf of Mexico by around 50,000bpd," Giovanni Staunovo, an analyst at UBS, told clients in a Thursday note. Staunovo said the recent slump may be due to traders losing confidence in OPEC's ability to maintain compliance with production cuts at lower price levels. UBS expects oil prices will continue to rise, at least the short term.

Persons: Hurricane Francine, Francine, Giovanni Staunovo, Staunovo, Brent Organizations: UBS, bbl Locations: Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana, Gulf, Mexico, 50,000bpd

☆ Oil prices rebound on fears of supply disruption from tropical storm
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An oil pumpjack in the Inglewood Oil Field, seen from the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, on July 13, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. Crude prices bounced on Wednesday as concerns about Tropical Storm Francine disrupting supply of oil outweighed worries about demand. OPEC also cut its 2025 global demand growth estimate to 1.74 million bpd from 1.78 million bpd. But the U.S. Energy Information Administration said on Tuesday global oil demand is set to grow to a bigger record this year while output growth will be smaller than prior forecasts. Meanwhile, China's daily crude oil imports rose last month to their highest in a year, customs data and Reuters records showed on Tuesday, as shipments staged a tentative recovery on lower crude oil prices and improving refining margins.

Persons: Kenneth Hahn, Brent, Hiroyuki Kikukawa, Storm Francine Organizations: Inglewood Oil, Recreation Area, Brent, NS, Nissan Securities, U.S, National Hurricane Center, U.S . Bureau of Safety, Environmental, Organization of, Petroleum, OPEC, U.S . Energy, Administration Locations: Inglewood, Los Angeles , California, Louisiana, Gulf, Mexico, U.S . Gulf, U.S

☆ How plunging oil prices could help the US avoid recession
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Brent crude has fallen below a key threshold of $70 per barrel, and analysts expect it to fall further. Falling oil prices lessen the odds of a US recession, market veteran Ed Yardeni said. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! That puts the commodity at its lowest level in three years, breaking past a key threshold of $70 per barrel. Although falling prices might spell trouble for oil producers who hinge on the product, it could ease the chances of a US recession, one economist wrote.

Persons: Brent, Ed Yardeni, — Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Why oil prices have cratered to their lowest level in nearly 3 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Oil prices plunged to their lowest level since December 2021, with Brent oil falling 4% to $68.99 on Tuesday. OPEC cut its oil demand outlook and delayed production boosts, while US production hits record highs. In its monthly oil market report, OPEC cut its outlook for oil demand because of the deceleration in China's economy. That's nearly double its oil production levels in 2014. Senior market analyst David Morrison at Trade Nation said in an email that investors shouldn't expect a rebound in oil prices anytime soon.

Persons: Brent, —, oil's, That's, David Morrison, Morrison Organizations: ., Service, brent, OPEC, Trade Nation Locations: Brent, YCharts

☆ Morgan Stanley cuts oil forecast, says traders are pricing in a demand slowdown similar to mild recession
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-09 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

After last week's steep sell-off, oil prices suggest traders are pricing in a demand slowdown that is similar to a mild recession, according to a Morgan Stanley analysis. Crude oil futures have declined precipitously in September, with Brent and U.S. crude oil on Friday posting their worst weeks since October 2023. Morgan Stanley is forecasting a surplus of about 1 million barrels per day in 2025. Demand Morgan Stanley looked for similar patterns in the past 35 years of Brent oil price data. Over the past five U.S. recessions, these stockpiles built by 150 million to 220 million barrels.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Morgan, Martijn, Brent Organizations: Brent Locations: U.S, Brent, OPEC, Canada, Brazil, Guyana

☆ OPEC+ extends oil output cuts again through November
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-05 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

This isn’t the first time OPEC+ has extended output cuts in a bid to boost crude prices. That same month, OPEC+ extended a cut of 1.65 million barrels per day announced in April 2023 until the end of 2025. Oil prices rose initially but settled slightly lower Thursday. Oil prices have declined this year despite continued output cuts and ongoing geopolitical tension in the Middle East. In June, the International Energy Agency said that a glut of oil supply could weaken the sway OPEC+ has over oil prices.

Persons: — Organizations: New, New York CNN, of, Petroleum, West Texas, Brent, International Energy Agency, IEA Locations: New York, OPEC, China, United States

☆ Surging China EV sales weigh on oil demand, Goldman says Brent could fall to $68 per barrel by next year
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

And demand in China this summer has contracted compared with the prior year, according Struyven. These vehicles reduced oil demand in China by 500,000 barrels per day in the first half of 2024, according to Goldman. Oil demand for vehicles in China is expected to peak in 2025 as a consequence, decades ahead of other emerging market economies, according to Goldman. If demand in China remains flat, Brent prices could fall to $68 per barrel by the end of next year, according to the investment bank. While China is the furthest ahead, global gasoline demand is slowing as electric vehicles are adopted around the world.

Persons: Brent, Daan Struyven, Goldman Sachs, Struyven, CNBC's, Bank of America's Francisco Blanch, Goldman, Jeff Currie, Currie Organizations: OPEC, Bank of America's, Bank of America, China Passenger Car Association, Goldman, Trucks Locations: China, East, Eastern Europe, Israel, Iran, U.S, EVs

☆ Oil strengthens as fall estimated in U.S. crude inventories
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices climbed on Wednesday on estimates about shrinking U.S. crude and gasoline inventories as the market watched for a possible widening of the Middle Eastern war, which could curtail global oil supplies. U.S. crude oil and gasoline inventories were expected to have fallen last week, while distillate stocks rose, according to market sources, citing American Petroleum Institute data on Tuesday. Gasoline inventories eased by 3.69 million barrels, and distillates rose by 612,000 barrels. A broadening conflict in the region could affect crude supplies from Iran and neighboring producer countries, analysts said, tightening inventories and supporting prices. Keeping oil prices from moving even higher, the International Energy Agency (IEA), meanwhile, kept its 2024 global oil demand growth forecast unchanged on Tuesday but trimmed its 2025 estimate, citing the impact of a weakened Chinese economy on consumption.

Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, American Petroleum Institute, Energy, Administration, U.S . Navy, International Energy Agency Locations: Stanton , Texas, U.S, Iran, Tehran, Israel

☆ Oil prices ease as markets refocus on demand worries
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices edged lower on Tuesday, breaking a five-day streak of gains, as markets refocused on concerns about demand after OPEC on Monday cut its forecast for demand growth in 2024 due to softer expectations in China. Oil prices edged lower on Tuesday, breaking a five-day streak of gains, as markets refocused on concerns about demand after OPEC on Monday cut its forecast for demand growth in 2024 due to softer expectations in China. Global benchmark Brent crude futures dipped 41 cents, or 0.5%, lower to $81.89 a barrel at 0005 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell to $79.63 a barrel, down 43 cents, or 0.5%. Brent had gained more than 3% on Monday, while U.S. crude futures had risen more than 4%.

Persons: Brent, John Kirby, CME's Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, of, Petroleum, White House, Wednesday's, U.S Locations: China, Iran, United States

☆ Airbnb's ongoing battle with hotels for travelers has taken a noticeable turn
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Go to newsletter preferencesSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. In today's big story, Airbnb said its struggles are tied to consumers spending less, but it's also because they're opting for hotels instead . The big storyPlenty of vacancyiStock; Rebecca Zisser/BIAirbnb took a noticeable step back in its ongoing battle with hotels. But Airbnb's struggles are also a product of travelers opting for hotels instead , writes Business Insider's Dan Latu. The death of the so-called millennial lifestyle subsidy — for which Airbnb was a key player — resulted in consumers rethinking things.

Persons: —, Airbnb, it's, let's, Rebecca Zisser, Execs, Airbnb's, Dan Latu, haven't, Jenny Chang, Rodriguez, Bloomberg it's, BI Bank of America isn't, Nicolás Ortega, Nate Silver, Chelsea Jia Feng, Alexander, Tal, Oren Alexander, Musk, Trump, Elon Musk's, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Hallam Bullock Organizations: Service, Apple, Business, Bloomberg, Getty, BI Bank of America, Viking, Israel, BI, Apple Intelligence, Trump, X, Florida Gov, Google Locations: Iran, New York, London

☆ Oil holds on to last week's gains buoyed by Mideast tensions, economic data
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Oil prices were little changed in early Asian trading on Monday, holding on to most of last week's more than 3% gains, supported by geopolitical tensions and better economic data. Oil prices were little changed in early Asian trading on Monday, holding on to most of last week's more than 3% gains, supported by geopolitical tensions and better economic data. "Traders remain mindful of simmering tensions in the Middle East," ANZ analysts said in a note. Brent ended last week up more than 3.5% on the week, while WTI gained more than 4%, on supportive economic data and increased hopes of a U.S. interest rate cut. China's consumer prices rose faster than expected in July, and U.S. weekly jobless claims fell more than expected last week.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Fuad Shukr, Israel, Brent, WTI Organizations: Brent, U.S, West Texas, ANZ, Gaza Civil Emergency Service, Federal Reserve Locations: Iran, Gaza, U.S

☆ Oil prices surge as US rushes forces to the Middle East ahead of a possible attack by Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Kelly Cloonan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices spiked on Monday as tensions flared in the Middle East. WTI crude oil and Brent crude were up over 3.6% and 2.86%, respectively. AdvertisementUS and international oil prices are surging as tensions in the Middle East simmer ahead of a potential attack by Iran against Israel. The rise in oil prices comes as Israel prepares for potential attacks from Iran, sources told the Wall Street Journal. Even before the latest production record, the Energy Information Administration announced in March that the US produces more crude oil than any other country.

Persons: Brent, —, Israel, Ismail Haniyeh Organizations: Service, Israel . West Texas, Wall Street Journal, Pentagon, Energy Information Administration Locations: East, Israel, Tehran, Iran, Beirut, OPEC

☆ Oil prices tick up on sharp fall in U.S. crude inventories
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Oil prices edged higher on Thursday for the third straight session after government data showed a steep draw in U.S. crude stockpiles, rebounding from multi-month lows touched this week. Brent crude futures rose 23 cents, or 0.3%, at $78.56 a barrel by 0017 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 29 cents, or 0.4%, to $75.52. U.S. crude inventories fell for a sixth week in a row last week, dropping by 3.7 million barrels to 429.3 million barrels last week, government data showed, against analyst expectations in a Reuters poll for a 700,000-barrel draw. While no supply has been impacted so far, attacks on ships in the Red Sea have forced tankers to take longer routes meaning more oil stays on the water for longer. Meanwhile, Libya's National Oil Corporation has declared force majeure in its Sharara oilfield from Tuesday, a statement said, adding that the company had gradually reduced the field's production due to protests.

Persons: Brent, majeure Organizations: Brent, U.S, West Texas Intermediate, . Energy, National Oil Corporation Locations: U.S, Iran, Israel

☆ Oil prices near multimonth lows, edge higher on Middle East tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices crept higher on Wednesday, though Brent still languished near seven-month lows, pressured by concerns over weak demand and fears of recession in the United States. The threat of conflict escalating in the Middle East and endangering oil production has supported prices since Tuesday. Brent crude futures were up 45 cents, or 0.6%, to $76.93 a barrel at 0823 GMT. U.S. crude oil, gasoline and distillate inventories rose last week, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. But both oil benchmarks broke a three-session declining streak on Tuesday, as tensions in the Middle East stoked supply concerns.

Persons: Brent, Tamas Varga, Antony Blinken, Daniel Hynes Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, PVM, American Petroleum Institute, U.S . Energy, Administration, ANZ Locations: United States, U.S, Iran, Gaza

☆ Stocks close lower as Wall Street struggles to stage a comeback
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —US stocks wavered Wednesday, giving back earlier gains as investors tried to recover from the week’s bruising losses. The Dow fell 234 points, or 0.6%, after gaining more than 400 points earlier in the day. CNN’s Fear & Greed Index, which measures seven barometers of market sentiment, closed in “extreme fear” territory. The Cboe Volatility Index — Wall Street’s fear gauge — which measures bets on expected stock market volatility, fell to 27. The Magnificent Seven companies lost $615.6 billion in value on Monday, according to S&P Global data.

Persons: Dow, ”, Sean Frank Organizations: New, New York CNN, Nasdaq, . West Texas, Brent, Dow, Cloud Equity Group Locations: New York, Japan

Japan stocks rebounded sharply on Tuesday after the Nikkei 225 and the Topix dropped over 12% in the previous session. The Bank of Japan raising rates to their highest level since 2008 on July 30 caused the yen to strengthen to a seven-month high, pressurizing stocks. Markets globally were also spooked by fears of a U.S. recession stoked by a weaker-than-expected jobs report. Real wages in Japan also grew 1.1% in June compared with a year ago, the first time that wages have risen in 26 months. Strong wage growth offers more room for the Bank of Japan to tighten its monetary policy.

Persons: Topix, Korea’s Kospi, Hong, Australia’s, Brent, Dow Organizations: Nikkei, Bank of, Softbank Group Corp, U.S ., South Korean, Samsung Electronics, chipmaker SK Hynix, China’s CSI, . West Texas, Bank of Japan, Reserve Bank of Australia, Dow, Nasdaq Locations: Japan, Asia, Pacific, Bank of Japan, U.S

☆ Oil prices climb more than $1 on fear of spreading Middle East conflict
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices climbed more than $1 on Tuesday, paring the previous day's loss as concern that an escalating Middle East conflict could hit supplies outweighed fear of a possible U.S. recession that could hurt demand in the world's biggest oil consumer. Oil's slide was limited by worry that Iranian retaliation for the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran may lead to a wider war in the Middle East. "Increased fear of escalating Middle East conflict prompted fresh buying," said Hiroyuki Kikukawa, president of NS Trading, a unit of Nissan Securities . "The market has largely factored in a retaliatory attack by Iran so the focus is on its scale and Israel's counterattack," Kikukawa said. If the conflict escalates, oil prices will rise, but if it is contained in the short term - as it was in April amid similar escalation fear - gain will be limited, he said.

Persons: paring, Hiroyuki Kikukawa, Kikukawa, Antony Blinken, Masoud Pezeshkian, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Brent, U.S, West Texas, NS, Nissan Securities, State Department, Reuters, OPEC Locations: Fort Stockton , Texas, Tehran, Iran, Israel, U.S, Iraq, Russia, Venezuela

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