European Gas Prices Soar Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions
The price of natural gas in Europe has reached its highest level since early 2023, breaking above €75/MWh at the European TTF hub in the Netherlands. This surge is attributed to rising tensions between Washington and Tehran over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for oil supplies.
The international oil benchmark, Brent crude, rose as much as 2.5 per cent to just over $97 before retreating to trade 0.4 per cent higher at $95 in London. The price increase has contributed to global bond and stock market volatility, reigniting concerns about prolonged inflation.
Market strategist Mike Bell from RBC BlueBay Asset Management noted that the perception of a swift resolution to the conflict is fading fast, driving the market. The rise in oil prices has put pressure on European bond markets, with the 10-year German Bund yield reaching its highest level since 2011 at 3.37 per cent.
Investment firm Jefferies' chief European economist Mohit Kumar stated that they are toning down their exposure to riskier assets due to the advance in oil prices, as bond yields have reached a level where further sell-offs would be increasingly negative for both equities and credit.