{
  "id": 13826265,
  "title": "Oil rises on Middle East attacks, US dollar edges higher",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/oil-rises-on-middle-east-attacks-us-dollar-edges-higher",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-11T23:20:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times Business",
    "slug": "straits-times-business",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/business/oil-rises-on-middle-east-attacks-us-dollar-edges-higher"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Oil prices rose and the US dollar gained slightly in early Asian trading as investors assessed the impact of escalating Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia and the potential for a larger Middle East conflict. Brent crude climbed 0.4% to $105.10 per barrel, while the dollar strengthened against major currencies. The Australian dollar remained relatively stable. S&P 500 futures increased after closing 0.6% higher in New York on October 9. Treasury market trading was halted for US and Japanese holidays. The Houthi assault on Saudi Arabia's main airport on October 11, following a previous strike that killed 12 people, heightened concerns of a wider conflict and potential disruptions to energy supplies and global trade. This situation arises as Saudi Arabia supports a counteroffensive near Bab el-Mandeb, a crucial shipping bottleneck between Asia and Europe.\n\nThe volatility comes amid a week of important market data for the US and Europe, including inflation figures, and numerous central bank speakers set to provide insights. Traders are eagerly awaiting the latest US consumer price data and Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's upcoming remarks to gauge the pace of future interest rate hikes. A more robust inflation report could reignite a recent sell-off in bonds, potentially pressuring the Federal Reserve to tighten monetary policy more aggressively. The 10-year Treasury yield rose to 5.4% last week, its highest level since 2002, as Brent crude prices topped $100 per barrel and raised worries about persistent energy costs fueling inflation.\n\nEquities have largely remained resilient despite the market turbulence. The S&P 500 hit a record high on October 6 before slipping over the next two days due to concerns about artificial intelligence demand, before rebounding on October 9 as investors focused on another robust earnings season. The index is near its all-time peak. Investors are watching for indications that higher costs are squeezing margins, even as corporate America enjoys one of its strongest profit streaks in recent years. The S&P 500 has achieved seven consecutive quarters of double-digit earnings growth, with analysts predicting a 25% increase in third-quarter profits from the previous year, according to Bloomberg Intelligence data.\n\nMeanwhile, the dollar traded within a narrow band against major currencies after a fourth consecutive weekly gain, the longest winning streak since early 2025. Elevated oil prices and tensions with Iran have bolstered the greenback as investors sought safer assets. Speculators remain bullish on the dollar, anticipating that the US economy is better positioned than its peers to handle additional interest rate hikes. France's fiscal challenges and rising energy prices have undermined the euro, which fell to its lowest level since May 2025 last week, further supporting the dollar. Barclays strategists, led by Themistoklis Fiotakis, argue that \"the case for the US dollar to break out of its 15-month range is increasingly compelling,\" citing US growth advantages, limited potential for lower yields, and Europe's fiscal and energy vulnerabilities. However, they caution that the rally may face interruptions due to excessive long positions in the dollar.",
  "summary": "Global benchmark Brent crude advanced 0.4% to US$105.10 a barrel.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Middle East war, high debt levels to dominate IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/middle-east-war-high-debt-levels-to-dominate-imf-world-bank-meetings-13642041",
        "published": "2026-10-11T04:06:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Middle East war, high debt levels to dominate IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/middle-east-war-high-debt-levels-to-dominate-imf-world-bank-meetings",
        "published": "2026-10-11T04:23:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Middle East war, high debt levels to dominate IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/middle-east-war-high-debt-levels-to-dominate-imf-world-bank-meetings-13645201",
        "published": "2026-10-11T04:46:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Middle East war, high debt levels to dominate IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/middle-east-war-high-debt-levels-to-dominate-imf-world-bank-meetings-13648208",
        "published": "2026-10-11T05:16:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Bangkok Post",
        "title": "Middle East war, high debt levels to dominate IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/middle-east-war-high-debt-levels-to-dominate-imf-world-bank-meetings-13662362",
        "published": "2026-10-11T05:56:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Nairametrics",
        "title": "World Bank: Debt interest swallows health, education budgets in 80% of African countries",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/world-bank-debt-interest-swallows-health-education-budgets-in-80-of",
        "published": "2026-10-11T09:45:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CNBC World",
        "title": "CNBC Daily Open: Will America open another front in the Middle East? Trump is considering",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/cnbc-daily-open-will-america-open-another-front-in-the-middle-east",
        "published": "2026-10-12T01:05:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}