Oil surges after Israel’s attack on Iran, as markets slide – business live

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European markets fall

European stock markets have joined the global selloff, as the overnight escalation in the Middle East has triggered a wave of risk-off sentiment.

Here’s now the main indices have fallen:

• Germany’s DAX: -1.35%

• France’s CAC: -1.2%

• Italy’s FTSE MIB: -1.45%

• Spain’s IBEX: -1.55%

Jochen Stanzl, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, says the markets are dominated by a single issue: Israel’s attack on Iran.

This alarming escalation in the Middle East has likely caught many investors off guard. Those who have been looking for an opportunity to sell stocks and take profits are now becoming active. It seems the DAX has seen its yearly high from just over a week ago for the time being.

Oil prices are skyrocketing as fears grow not only regarding the disruption of Iran’s recent strengthened oil exports but also the potential targeting of other oil production facilities in the region, should this conflict escalate further. Additionally, the transportation of oil through the Strait of Hormuz is now at risk. While the oil price is not as critical for the German economy as it was one or two decades ago, a rapid surge in prices can still affect the recent strength of the euro, which can no longer compensate for lower import prices under such circumstances.

Investors are now grappling with the prospect of two wars and an ongoing trade conflict, prompting a reassessment of risks. Gold prices are heading towards record highs, equities are under pressure, and the dollar is rising once again. The events of the past few hours have sparked a broad risk-off movement among investors.

In recent weeks, the U.S. has repeatedly tried to deter Israel from such an attack, but as we learned today, those efforts have been unsuccessful. News regarding the enrichment of weapon-grade uranium marked a turning point. The situation now hinges on Iran’s response. No one wants a wider conflagration in the Middle East, but the risk has noticeably increased due to the recent developments.”

Shares in oil companies BP (+2%) and Shell (+2.1%) have jumped, following the surge in the oil price overnight.

But the top riser on London’s FTSE 100 is weapons producer BAE Systems (+2.8%), reflecting concerns that the Israel-Iran conflict could escalate.

FTSE 100 drops at the start of trading

Britain’s stock market has dropped at the start of tading, with most blue-chip shares in the red.

The FTSE 100 share index, which finished Thursday at a record closing high, has dipped by 48 points or 0.56%, to 8837 points.

Airline shares are falling sharply – British Airways parent company, IAG, has lost 5.6%, followed by easyJet which is down 4.6%.

There is a “strong risk-off move” in several asset classes today, with the focus now shifting to what form Iran’s retaliation might take, reports Jim Reid, market strategist at Deutsche Bank.

He says:

There’ve been huge developments in the Middle East overnight, as Israel has carried out air strikes against Iran’s nuclear and military facilities. We still await further details, but press reports have said that explosions were heard in Tehran and Natanz, which is where one of Iran’s nuclear plants is. Iranian state TV has reported that Hossein Salami, the head of the Revolutionary Guards, was killed, along with armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri. Israeli PM Netanyahu has said the operation “will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat”, although US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the US weren’t involved in the strikes.

The news has led to significant fears about an escalation and a wider regional conflict. For instance, Iran’s armed forces spokesperson said that Israel and the US will receive a “harsh blow” in response, and Iran’s Supreme Leader said Israel “should expect a severe punishment”. In turn, oil prices have surged on the news.

Gold is heading towards a record high, as investors seek out safe-haven assets.

The spot price of gold has jumped 1% to $3,418 per ounce, towards the all-time peak of $3,500/oz set in April.

Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, says:

Safe haven assets are back in demand with gold prices at seven-week highs at over $3,400 per ounce. Diminishing risk appetite, as well as the potential for lower interest rates on cash paint, a positive picture for investors in the yellow metal.

European shares are set to open sharply lower in under 30 minutes time.

Reuters has the details:

Euro STOXX 50 futures, which track blue-chip euro zone stocks, dropped 1.4%, with contracts on the German and French benchmarks each down over 1%.

Futures on Britain’s oil- heavy FTSE fell 0.4%.

Shares across Asia-Pacific stock markets fell sharply after Israel launched its military operation at Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Japan’s Nikkei dropped 1%, South Korea’s KOSPI has lost 0.85% and China’s CSI300 is down 0.66%.

Introduction: Oil surges after Israel’s attack on Iran

Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.

Stock markets are sliding, and the oil price has surged, after Israel launched an attack on Iran overnight, targeting nuclear facilities, military commanders and Iranian scientists.

The attacks, a major escalation of tensions in the Middle East, have sent investors dashing into safe-haven assets, fearing it could spiral into a wider conflict.

Brent crude oil surged by over 10% when news of the attacks broke, reaching its highest level since January. It’s now up 8% at $73.52 per barrel, which would be the biggest daily rise since 2022.

Oil was driven higher by worries that supplies from the region could be disrupted, if the conflict escalates. Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank, suggests that oil could push higher, perhaps to $90–$100 per barrel, in that scenario, saying:

Oil jumped as much as 13% after Israel launched a major and unprecedented attack on Iran, targeting nuclear and military facilities.

While the news isn’t entirely surprising—there had been reports of Israel preparing action and the U.S. ordered Americans to leave the region earlier this week—the Israeli strikes could mark the beginning of wider regional tensions. If Israel continues operations beyond its borders, the Middle East could heat up fast.

Latest: Israel says Iran’s nuclear programme poses an existential threat and vows that its operation will continue for as long as necessary. Iran has already launched hundreds of drones in retaliation and could go further. But how much further?

Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the Israeli operation will take “many days”, and warned that “Israeli citizens may have to remain in sheltered areas for lengthy periods of time.”

The agenda

• 3pm BST: US consumer confidence report