  Brent crude steady above $113 per barrel August 14, 2012 - 11:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Brent crude held steady above $113 per barrel on Tuesday, August 14 as investors awaited economic growth data out of Europe to gauge the region's energy demand outlook, while escalating tensions in the Middle East supported prices, Reuters reported. Weak growth numbers from the euro zone could boost the dollar and weigh on commodities that are priced in the greenback. But crude should find a floor as an intensifying debate in Israel on whether to strike Iran's disputed nuclear programme stokes worries about supply from the region. Brent crude gained 39 cents to $113.99 a barrel by 0647 GMT, after closing 65 cents up at its highest settlement since May 3. U.S. crude gained 50 cents to $93.23 a barrel, after ending 14 cents lower. "The immediate impact of the European growth numbers will be on the forex market and oil will react to that," said Ryoma Furumi, a commodities sales manager at Newedge Japan. "Oil prices are high because of the Israel situation and a lot will depend on how that turns out." France's economy recorded zero growth for a third straight quarter in the three months to end-June, while German GDP grew 0.3 percent in the second quarter. Numbers from both the euro zone powerhouses marginally exceeded expectations.   Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion.   Partner news |  Latest news Freedom House: “Why are there no Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh?”  Freedom House has published a report summary titled “Why are there no Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh?”Armenia says wants expanded transport, energy connectivity Pashinyan says Armenia is interested in the expansion of connectivity in transport, energy, telecommunications and other directions.Aliyev: Change in Armenia’s Constitution key for singing peace deal Ilham Aliyev has declared that most important condition for signing a peace agreement is for Armenia to change its Constitution.U.S. sees “extraordinary” opportunity for peace between Armenia, Azerbaijan U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken believes there is an “extraordinary” opportunity to reach a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. |
