CRUDE OIL RISES TO $115 WITH STOCKS MIXED ON EARNINGS, AI

Crude oil prices climbed close to $115 a barrel on Friday as Middle East tensions unsettled investors, while stock markets recorded mixed performances.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 1.3 per cent to $114.65 a barrel at around 10:45 a.m. GMT. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate gained 1.5 per cent to $100.98.

Oil prices were trading at their highest levels in five months, with investors monitoring the conflict and its potential effect on energy supplies.

European stock markets mostly fell as disappointing company results added to concerns. Shares in Gucci’s parent company, Kering, dropped after its earnings failed to reassure investors about the brand’s recovery.

Volvo Cars also suffered a sharp decline after reporting a quarterly loss.

Asian markets finished mixed, with some technology shares recovering part of their earlier losses.

Investors remained concerned about whether heavy spending on artificial intelligence would deliver sufficient returns. Strong earnings alone have offered limited reassurance, with attention increasingly focused on companies’ future performance.

Markets are also looking ahead to interest-rate decisions from the US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank, alongside fresh US economic growth figures.