LONDON: Oil prices surged on Monday as OPEC+ held to its planned output increase, while US and European stocks subsequently slumped.
US oil prices soared to their highest level since November 2014, reaching $78.38, after OPEC and key allies -- known as OPEC+ -- decided to stick with their planned moderate increase next month, despite the recent surge in prices.
Meanwhile, the price of the main international contract, Brent oil, jumped nearly 3 percent to above $81 per barrel.
"The decision by OPEC+ to add the expected 400,000 barrels per day in November triggered a market reaction, as traders are now more boldly coming out from their cautious positions and pricing in a confirmed, tighter supply market," said Bjornar Tonhaugen, head oil markets at Rystad Energy.
Some economists are worried that sustained oil prices of $80 per barrel could undermine the recovery of the global economy, which is already under strain from snags in supply chains.
"Producing nations, and namely OPEC+, have to be careful not to allow prices to inflate too much, otherwise we may see an adverse reaction that could negatively impact post-pandemic economic growth," Tonhaugen said.
Gains in European equities evaporated and US stocks sank as oil prices continued to rise after the OPEC+ announcement.
Both the Dow and S&P 500 were more than one percent lower in late morning trading, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was down more than two percent.
In Asia, shares mostly rose, but Hong Kong sank on fears about troubled property giant China Evergrande, which suspended trading in its shares.
Asian shares slip as Evergrande, inflation worries sap positive mood
The crisis at Evergrande, which is drowning in a sea of debt worth more than $300 billion, has roiled markets in recent weeks on fears that its failure could spill over into the wider Chinese economy and possibly further.
The firm said in a statement that the halt in the trading of its shares was called, "pending the release by the company of an announcement containing inside information about a major transaction".
The news came as reports said Hopson Development Holdings planned to buy a 51-percent stake in its property services arm.
However, traders remain concerned Evergrande will miss payments on bond obligations, putting it in default.
Hong Kong stocks, already under pressure owing to concerns about China's crackdown on a range of industries including tech firms and casinos, sank more than two percent.
Tokyo fell 1.1 percent -- a sixth straight loss -- while Taipei was also in negative territory.
Tokyo stocks slip with eyes on Japan new government
Key figures around 1530 GMT
Brent North Sea crude: UP 2.9 percent at $81.54 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: UP 2.3 percent at $77.89
New York - Dow: DOWN 1.3 percent at 33,891.59 points
EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 0.9 percent at 3,998.73
London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.2 percent at 7,011.01 (close)
Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.8 at 15,036.55 (close)
Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.6 percent at 6,477.66 (close)
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.1 percent at 28,444.89 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 2.2 percent at 24,036.37 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: Closed for a holiday
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1617 from $1.1596 at 2100 GMT on Friday
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3602 from $1.3546
Euro/pound: DOWN at 85.39 pence from 85.60 pence
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 110.91 yen from 111.05 yen
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