How a Russian-Ukraine Conflict Might Hit Global Markets
A potential invasion of Ukraine by neighboring Russia would be felt across a number of markets, from wheat and energy prices and the region's sovereign dollar bonds to safe have assets.Below are four charts showing where a potential escalation of tensions could be felt across global markets:Safe havensInflation at multi-decade highs and impending interest rate rises have made for a bad month for bond markets, but an outright Russia-Ukraine conflict could change that.Two-year U.S.
Oil Trades Strengthen to Mid-2015 Levels on Iranian Unrest
Oil prices posted their strongest opening to a year since 2014 on Tuesday, with crude rising to mid-2015 highs amid large anti-government rallies in Iran and ongoing supply cuts led by OPEC and Russia. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures traded flat at around $60.40 by 1200 GMT after hitting $60.74 earlier in the day, their highest since June 2015. Brent crude futures, the international benchmark, were also flat at around $66.80 after hitting a May 2015 high of $67.29 a barrel earlier in the day.
Brent Edges Up off Six-Month Low
Chinese exports tumble 8.3 pct, biggest fall in 4 months; Chinese crude oil imports up 4.1 pct in July. OPEC has no plans to hold emergency meeting. Crude oil futures touched multi-month lows on Monday after a weekend of mixed data from China showing higher oil imports in July but weaker trade figures overall. Brent then edged up 24 cents to $48.85 a barrel at 1105 GMT, after dipping to $48.24 earlier in the session, the lowest in over six months. U.S. crude was down 2 cents at $43.85 after hitting an intraday low of $43.35 in Asian trading. Both benchmarks have been falling for six weeks, hampered by a supply glut. "The market remains in a battle between the bearish current fundamentals and the perception that the market will begin to rebalance in the not too distant future…
Oil Steadies Above $92 on Signs of Global Growth
Brent crude oil edged down but stayed above $92 a barrel on Monday after a week of sharp falls, as strong U.S. employment data and a rally in global stock markets pointed to stronger economic growth and higher demand for fuel. Brent fell nearly 5 percent last week, its steepest decline since April 2013, as a strong U.S. dollar, weak demand and ample supply weighed on prices. "It is no surprise to see the price stabilising after the massive sell-offs last week, but we won't see a hard price floor until OPEC indicates that it will cut production," said Eugen Weinberg, head of commodities research at Commerzbank in Frankfurt. Brent for November was down 10 cents at $92.21 a barrel by 1355 GMT. The benchmark touched $91.48 on Friday, its lowest since June 2012. U.S.
