financetom
Market
financetom
/
Market
/
Oil seen opening up after Iran's attack on Israel
News World Market Environment Technology Personal Finance Politics Retail Business Economy Cryptocurrency Forex Stocks Market Commodities
Oil seen opening up after Iran's attack on Israel
Apr 14, 2024 12:57 PM

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices, which hit a six-month high on Friday, are expected to rise on Monday after Iran's attack on Israel over the weekend, analysts said, but further gains may depend on how Israel chooses to respond.

Iran launched explosive drones and missiles at Israel late on Saturday in retaliation for a suspected Israeli attack on its consulate in Syria on April 1, a first direct attack on Israeli territory that has stoked fears of a wider regional conflict.

Concern that Iran would respond to the strike on its embassy compound in Damascus supported oil last week and helped send global benchmark Brent crude on Friday to $92.18 a barrel, the highest since October.

Brent settled that day up 71 cents at $90.45, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 64 cents to $85.66. Trading is closed on Sunday.

"It is only reasonable to expect stronger prices when trading resumes," said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM. "Having said that, there has been no impact on production so far and Iran has said that 'the matter can be deemed concluded'.

"However fierce and painful the initial market reaction will be, the rally could prove to be short-lived unless supply from the region is materially disrupted."

Leaders of the Group of Seven major economies condemned Iran's attack and reaffirmed the G7's commitment to Israel's security during a meeting on Sunday regarding the development, the White House said in a post on X.

The G7 leaders discussed sanctions against Iran, a senior U.S. administration official said.

"There will probably be a knee-jerk jump in oil and potentially natural gas prices when markets open in Asian trading hours, although crude was already pricing in a fair amount of geopolitical risk in anticipation of an Iranian strike," said Amrita Sen, co-founder of consultancy Energy Aspects.

"If the crisis does not escalate to a point that creates supply disruptions, then there will be downside risk over time, but only once it becomes clear Israel has chosen a measured response," she said.

IRAN OIL EXPORTS IN VIEW

UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said oil might spike at the opening and how long any gains last would depend on Israel's response. Whether or not the G7 decides to target Iranian crude oil exports is also a factor, he added.

Iran has steeply raised oil exports - its main source of revenue - under the Joe Biden administration. Exports were severely reduced under Biden's predecessor Donald Trump, who faces Biden in a presidential election rematch in November.

The Biden administration has argued it is not encouraging Iran to raise exports and is enforcing sanctions.

Lower Iranian exports would lead to a further rise in oil prices and the cost of gasoline in the United States, a politically sensitive subject ahead of the elections.

Another factor to watch will be any impact on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the volume of the world's total oil consumption passes daily.

The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard's navy said on Tuesday Tehran could close the strait if deemed necessary, and earlier on Saturday Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported a Guards helicopter had boarded and taken into Iranian waters a vessel, the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries.

"Crude prices already included a risk premium, and the extent to which it will widen further almost exclusively depends on developments near Iran around the Strait of Hormuz," said Ole Hansen at Saxo Bank.

In comments that he said might be going against the stream, Viktor Katona, lead crude analyst at Kpler, said he thought the Iranian attack was slightly bearish for crude.

"The market expected a pathway to World War III but Iran saying it considers its retaliation to be over would lower the risk of a bigger regional conflagration," he said.

Comments
Welcome to financetom comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Related Articles >
Good News—MS Drugs Taken While Breastfeeding May Not Affect Child Development
Good News—MS Drugs Taken While Breastfeeding May Not Affect Child Development
Mar 4, 2024
Good News: MS Drugs Taken During Breastfeeding May Not Impact Child DevelopmentEncouraging Findings from a Preliminary StudyMINNEAPOLIS, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent study suggests that certain monoclonal antibody medications used to treat multiple sclerosis MS may not pose a developmental risk to infants exposed to them through breastfeeding. The findings, presented at the American Academy of Neurologys Annual...
Kuehne + Nagel to Buy Asia-Pacific Logistics Provider City Zone Express — Update
Kuehne + Nagel to Buy Asia-Pacific Logistics Provider City Zone Express — Update
Mar 1, 2024
  Kuehne + Nagel Acquires City Zone Express to Enhance Asia Pacific Logistics  Expanding Cross-Border Capabilities  Kuehne + Nagel, a global logistics provider, has acquired City Zone Express, a cross-border logistics provider, to strengthen its presence in the Asia Pacific region. This acquisition will bolster Kuehne + Nagels cross-border road logistics offerings in the region, catering to the rapidly growing e-commerce and high-tech...
FPT Announces First Acquisition in Japan with Full Ownership of Next Advanced Communications NAC
FPT Announces First Acquisition in Japan with Full Ownership of Next Advanced Communications NAC
Mar 1, 2024
FPT Announces First Acquisition in Japan with Full Ownership of Next Advanced Communications NACStrategic Move Strengthens FPTs Global Expansion and Commitment to Digital Transformation in JapanFPT Corporation FPT has acquired IT services company Next Advanced Communications Co., Ltd. NAC, marking its first merger and acquisition MA deal in Japan. With NAC as FPTs wholly-owned subsidiary, the company aims to double...
Zetrix  Web3Labs Global Accelerator Programme Officially Opens for Registration
Zetrix Web3Labs Global Accelerator Programme Officially Opens for Registration
Mar 1, 2024
Zetrix Web3Labs Global Accelerator Programme Officially Opens for RegistrationKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --The global accelerator programme initiated by Zetrix, a layer-1 blockchain platform utilizing Delegated Proof of Stake DPoS mechanism, in collaboration with Web3.0 startup hub Web3Labs, is now open for registration. The programme aims to discover and support the most promising Web3 startups worldwide. Ultimately, 10...
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved