This item is part of Stockwatch's value added news feed and is only available to Stockwatch subscribers.

Here is a sample of this item:

by Stockwatch Business Reporter

West Texas Intermediate crude for March delivery slipped five cents to $66.38 on the New York Merc, while Brent for April lost 27 cents to $71.49 (all figures in this para U.S.). Western Canadian Select traded at a discount of $15.00 to WTI, up from a discount of $15.30. Natural gas for March lost six cents to $2.99. The TSX energy index added a fraction of a point to close at 365.44.

Oil prices edged lower as the United States and Iran prepared for another round of nuclear talks this Thursday, easing fears of an escalating conflict. Traders are nonetheless hearing faint whispers of a familiar refrain: triple-digit oil. A spike to $100 (U.S.) a barrel is "within reach" if the U.S.-Iranian standoff escalates into war, said Dr. Fereidun Fesharaki, founder of the energy consultancy FGE, today on Bloomberg TV. This week's talks are "guaranteed to fail" because of the restrictions that Washington will want to place on Tehran, he predicted, concluding, "I don't think the U.S. has a choice but to go to war." Depending on the extent of regional supply disruptions, he sees oil prices jumping to $90 (U.S.) or even $100 (U.S.).

The remainder is available to Stockwatch subscribers.
Sign-up for a FREE 30-day Stockwatch subscription and SEE NO ADS