Hong Kong (AFP) – Oil prices fell Monday on optimism over US-Iran talks, with mediators flagging a “roadmap” to a final agreement, while equities were mixed. The negotiations finally got underway Sunday in Switzerland with teams led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, after being initially postponed in the wake of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
Traders have been in a buoyant mood after news that the two foes had paused their conflict, which had sent energy costs soaring and stoked inflation. There were initial jitters following reports that Iran had called off the talks, but mediators Pakistan and Qatar said the negotiations took place in “a positive and constructive atmosphere.”
The mood improved as Qatar and Pakistan announced progress in the talks, which aim to address Tehran’s nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas. The two mediators said the United States and Iran agreed to set up a “communication line” to avoid incidents in the crucial waterway, and “the High Level Committee has agreed upon a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days, laying the foundation for the immediate commencement of further technical talks.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that “mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War.” In afternoon Asian trade, Brent was down almost one percent, while West Texas Intermediate was flat. Stock markets were mixed after a broadly positive start. Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei were boosted by tech firms again, while there were also advances in Shanghai, Mumbai, and Bangkok. But Hong Kong, Sydney, Singapore, Wellington, Manila, and Jakarta fell. London, Paris, and Frankfurt opened higher.
“Following the positive response last week to reports of a US-Iran ceasefire, markets are likely to open with a cautious tone to start the new week as it remains clear that the situation in the Middle East remains fragile,” said National Australia Bank’s Skye Masters. “The dollar is likely to remain supported, the oil price could swing either way but at current levels the risk is for a lift higher.”
Sterling extended after suffering a sell-off following Thursday’s by-election win for UK Labour politician Andy Burnham that ramped up expectations he will seek to replace Keir Starmer, who resigned Monday.
– Key figures around 0810 GMT –
West Texas Intermediate: FLAT at $75.85 a barrel
Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.9 percent at $79.88 a barrel
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 1.6 percent at 72,353.96 (close)
Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.7 percent at 23,768.52 (close)
Shanghai – Composite: UP 1.8 percent at 4,163.10 (close)
Seoul – Kospi: UP 0.7 percent at 9,114.55 (close)
London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 10,357.72
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1447 from $1.1464 on Friday
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3200 from $1.3218
Dollar/yen: UP at 161.76 yen from 161.27 yen
Euro/pound: UP at 86.77 pence from 86.73 pence
© 2024 AFP
