Oil prices traded higher in early deals, supported by fresh commentary by US President Donald Trump on West Asia tension. Crude oil was up nearly 4 per cent at USD 103.8 a barrel, while Brent gained nearly 5 per cent to USD 105.5, reflecting persistent geopolitical risks and tightening market balances that continue to underpin energy prices despite broader volatility across commodities, currencies and equities.
Fresh oil shock came after comments from US President Donald Trump late on Wednesday signalled a conditional openness to de-escalation with Iran. Trump said the United States would consider a ceasefire if the Strait of Hormuz is opened, even as he confirmed that Iran's president had reached out seeking a halt to hostilities. However, the president simultaneously struck a hardline tone, saying military action against Iran would continue until shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumes. The mixed messaging led to immediate price swings, with markets weighing the potential for diplomatic relief against continued risks to Middle East oil supplies.
Trump also said that Washington's core strategic objectives in Iran are close to being achieved, signalling an escalation in rhetoric even as he claimed the threat from Tehran is nearing an end. Trump said the United States is "very close" to finishing its mission in Iran and warned that the country would be hit "extremely hard" over the next two to three weeks if no agreement is reached. He added that Iran's electric infrastructure could be targeted in the absence of a deal, while asserting that Iran is "really no longer a threat" and that the US is on the cusp of ending what he described as Iran's threat to America
US equity markets closed firmly higher, providing a positive backdrop for risk assets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 224.35 points, or 0.48 per cent, to end at 46,565.86, while the S&P 500 advanced 0.72 per cent to 6,575.37. Tech stocks outperformed, with the Nasdaq Composite gaining 250.32 points, or 1.16 per cent, to 21,840.95, and the Nasdaq 100 climbing 1.18 per cent to 24,019.99.
European markets also saw strong gains, reflecting broad-based buying interest. London's FTSE 100 jumped 1.85 per cent to 10,364.79, France's CAC 40 surged 2.10 per cent to 7,981.27, and Germany's DAX led regional gains, rallying 2.73 per cent to close at 23,298.89.
Notably, on March 9, Brent crude surged over 27 per cent to trade at a multi-year high of USD 119 a barrel amid escalating Middle East tensions. The prices later dropped significantly after the announcement of coordinated oil reserve release by major G7 economies. The oil price, although at a multi-year high, were still lower than its all time high of USD 147 per barrel seen in July, 2008. The recent hike was also lower than USD 130 per barrel price that was hit in 2022 during the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
source:EconomicTimes
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