Global Markets: Oil soars as Trump dumps Iran nuclear deal, dollar dips

Reuters  |  LONDON 

By Kit Rees

Trump's move sparked fears of increased tension in the and uncertainty over global

Demand for safe-haven assets remained muted as the immediate market impact was seen as specific to oil supply, but investors remained mindful of the knock-on effects on

Gold prices retreated and yields rose. The U.S. 10-year Treasury once again breached the psychologically significant 3-percent level and hit a two-week high of 3.0140 percent, supported by expectations of higher interest rates.

"In an environment where the Fed, particularly, is already at its target and people are closely watching the pace of the monetary tightening, something like this which could possibly nudge a little bit higher is going to be quite interesting for the market," UBS Wealth Management's UK investment office deputy head, Caroline Simmons, said.

"That's why you're seeing the yields go up a little bit on the bonds," she said.

The impact of Trump's decision was mostly limited to and energy-related stocks. Intermediate crude futures hit their highest level since November 2014 at $71.17 per barrel, last up 2.7 percent.

Brent crude futures jumped as much as 2.8 percent to a 3-1/2-year high of $77.20.

"There is still an interim period before sanctions kick in. And other signatories and want to keep the deal going so there is a period where things could be hammered out," ING said.

"But I would have expected a bit of a safe-haven bid this morning," he noted, referring to bonds.

The equity index, which tracks shares in 47 countries, was flat and continued to trade in a narrow range. The pan-European meanwhile rose 0.2 percent as gained and earnings from and dominated trading.

In the U.S., stocks futures pointed to a positive start for Wall Street, with E-Mini futures for the up 0.5 percent.

"In the very short term, it looks as if the impact of heightened geopolitical worries was limited to But that is not the end of the story," said.

"U.S. sanctions could affect various industries. And tensions between and look set to intensify. Those will begin to cap share prices," he said.

The reaction in Asian markets was more pronounced as renewed U.S. sanctions on were seen as disruptive for many companies that have dealings with Trump's move is also seen as likely to worsen already-tense relations between Iran and U.S. allies in the region.

MSCI's broadest index of shares outside was up 0.1 percent, while Japan's Nikkei fell 0.4 percent.

Iran, the third-biggest producer, produces about 3.8 million barrels per day (bpd), or about 4 percent of the world's

The said it will reimpose a wide array of Iran-related sanctions after the expiry of 90- and 180-day wind-down periods, including those aimed at Iran's and transactions with its central

DOLLAR STEPS BACK FROM HIGH

The rise in Treasury yields helped fuel the dollar's rally, with the greenback hitting a new 2018 high before giving up gains.

The dollar index against a basket of major currencies was at 93.026. It has risen about 1 percent this year.

Souring risk sentiment is hitting emerging markets, which have been depressed in recent weeks by concerns about capital outflows, as the prospect of higher U.S. interest rates lures investors back to U.S. bonds rather than riskier assets.

Countries with high perceived political risks, such as and Turkey, were among the worst hit.

The Brazilian real hit a near two-year low and the Turkish lira reached a record low. Since the start of this week, those currencies are both down about 1 percent.

The Indonesian rupiah hit a 2-1/2-year low, and has slid 1 percent this week.

Among major currencies, the risk-sensitive Australian dollar hit an 11-month low of $0.74130 and last stood at $0.74510.

The euro recovered slightly after hitting a new 4-1/2-month low of $1.1821 and last stood at $1.1880, having fallen about 4 percent in the past three weeks.

The currency was hit by increasing prospects of another election in as the political impasse there has continued since early March's vote.

The British pound was slightly firmer at $1.3538 but remained close to a four-month low ahead of the of England's meeting on Thursday.

The dollar rose 0.5 percent to 109.65 yen, edging near its three-month high of 110.02 yen touched last week.

(Reporting by Additional reporting by in London and Hideyuki Sano in Tokyo)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Wed, May 09 2018. 17:51 IST