Oil Gains on Mideast Tensions
WTI crude oil futures rose more than 1% toward $58 per barrel on Tuesday, snapping a two-day decline amid renewed tensions in the Middle East. Israel on Monday carried out air strikes on Yemen's Hodeidah port and a cement factory in response to the Iranian backed Houthis’ ballistic missile attack that hit Israel’s main airport a day earlier. The prior session saw WTI crude fall by 2% on concerns over excess supply following OPEC+ decision to accelerate its output hikes for a second consecutive month. Saudi Arabia, the group’s de facto leader, also warned of further production increases if the overproducing members don’t fall in line. The additional supply has added to downward pressure on oil prices, which are near four-year lows as trade tensions between the U.S. and China stoked fears of slowing global growth and weakening energy demand.