Iran has warned global markets to prepare for oil at US$200 per barrel , escalating rhetoric as attacks intensify and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively frozen. While oil prices have retreated from recent highs near US$120, Tehran’s message underscores the growing risk of a prolonged energy shock. Key Takeaways Iran warns oil could surge to US$200 per barrel Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, disrupting 20% of global oil flows 14 merchant ships reportedly struck since conflict began IEA expected to propose record 400 million-barrel reserve release Markets currently betting conflict may be contained Oil Market on Edge Iran’s military command said oil prices depend on regional security — warning the world to prepare for US$200 crude if instability persists. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint along Iran’s coast, normally handles: About 20% of global oil shipments A significant share of global LNG trade So far: At least 14 ships have reportedly been struck...
KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 16): Malaysian stocks swung back into the red today, wiping out gains made over the last two days as investors cashed in on profits.
The benchmark FBM KLCI traded in negative territory throughout the day to close down 8.67 points or 0.48% at 1,777.27 points. Market breadth was negative with 515 losers and 290 gainers.
A total of 2.11 billion worth of shares were traded for RM1.91 billion compared with 2.4 billion shares worth RM2.03 billion on Wednesday.
According to Hong Leong Investment Bank head of retail research Loui Low, investors in index-linked counters are likely to stay in profit-taking mode amid uncertainty over Turkey's economy and the US-China trade war fears.
However, he noted that beneficiaries of the weaker ringgit, which has fallen in line with other emerging market currencies, include export-driven counters such as Unisem (M) Bhd, which has seen a slight uptick in its share price.
Although the trade war between China and the US may affect these export-driven companies in the long term, Low said they could see improvements in earnings in the near term as long as the US dollar continues to strengthen.
Advance Synergy Bhd, AHB Holdings Bhd and Nova MSC Bhd were the most actively traded counters on Bursa Malaysia today, while British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd and Petronas Gas Bhd led decliners.
Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd, Malaysia Pacific Industries Bhd and United Plantaitions Bhd were top gainers.
Asian markets were battered to one-year lows amid growing fears over Turkey's currency crisis and an economic slowdown in China, Reuters reported.
Japan's Nikkei closed down 0.06% while MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.3%. Both Shanghai Composite Index and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dipped 0.8%.
Another sector that witnessed a drag was technology stocks, which were pressured by the performance of Tencent Holdings Ltd after it registered its first decline in quarterly profit in almost 13 years on poor gaming revenue, Reuters said.
Source: The Edge
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