Investors are bracing for the possibility of Saudi Arabia using oil as a weapon.
The kingdom is facing threats of punishment over the unexplained disappearance of a Washington Post journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, and is talking of retaliation if America imposes sanctions. A leading Saudi commentator has even hinted that oil could be used as a weapon.
A rhetorical threat to withhold supplies could drive up prices, Helima Croft, global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets, told CNN Business.
Saudi Arabia could go further, by “slow-walking” output increases to make up for reduced Iranian supplies when US sanctions on Tehran take effect next month, Croft added.
Rising oil prices would harm consumers, but they could give energy stocks a boost. Analysts are expecting energy companies to rake in monster earnings in the third quarter.
Binky Chadha, chief global strategist at Deutsche Bank Securities, will discuss what could happen next with CNN Business editor-at-large Richard Quest on “Markets Now” on Wednesday.
Chadha and Quest will also discuss the biggest risks to the market and the recent volatility.
“Markets Now” streams live from the New York Stock Exchange every Wednesday at 12:45 p.m. ET. Hosted by CNNMoney’s business correspondents, the 15-minute program features incisive commentary from experts.
You can watch “Markets Now” at CNNMoney.com/MarketsNow from your desk or on your phone or tablet. If you can’t catch the show live, check out highlights online and through the Markets Now newsletter, delivered to your inbox every afternoon.
