08/01/2020
Oil charts steadier course as tensions on Iran strike ebb - for now - Reuters News
08-Jan-2020 03:08:19 PM
• Brent touches 4-month high before tensions ease
• Brent up 1% by 0613 GMT; WTI up 0.8%
• Attack on U.S. forces in Iraq stokes fears of wider conflict
• 'All is well!' - Trump; action 'concluded' - Iran minister
• Reuters live blog - https://www.reuters.com/live-events/tensions-in-the-middle-east-id2917592
By Aaron Sheldrick
TOKYO, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Oil prices were about 1% higher on Wednesday, but well below highs hit in a frenetic start to the trading day after a rocket attack by Iran on American forces in Iraq raised the spectre of a spiralling conflict and disruption to crude flows.
Prices gave up most of their gains after early surges as analysts said market tension could ease as long as oil production facilities remain unaffected by attacks. Tweets by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran's foreign minister also appeared to signal a period of calm - for now.
Iran's missile attack on U.S.-led forces in Iraq came early on Wednesday, hours after the funeral of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the country's elite Quds Force killed in a U.S. drone stroke on Jan. 3.
[8-1, 4:15 PTG] Kenanga Future Help desk: Stocks, gold and oil whipsawed as Iran strikes spark Mideast war fears - Reuters News
08-Jan-2020 02:38:36 PM
• MSCI Asia ex-Japan down 0.72%, Nikkei -1.57%
• European share markets expected to open lower Wednesday
• Iran launches missile attacks on Iraqi bases housing U.S. forces
• U.S. President Trump to make statement Wednesday
• Crude futures, gold up amid fears of further escalation
• Asian stock markets: https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
By Andrew Galbraith
SHANGHAI, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Asian shares tumbled on Wednesday, while oil, safe-haven Treasury prices and gold shot higher after Iran fired rockets at U.S.-led forces in Iraq, stoking fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Iran's missile attacks on the Ain Al-Asad air base and another in Erbil, Iraq, early in the day came hours after the funeral of an Iranian commander whose killing in a U.S. drone strike has intensified tensions in the region.n