Stock markets recover as oil retreats

The main international oil contract Brent North Sea fell back under $100 Friday after surging past the key milestone the previous day on escalating Middle East strikes, helping US and European stock markets stabilise.

Brent fell five percent to under $96 a barrel, having soared seven percent Thursday. The key US contract, West Texas Intermediate, declined more than four percent after having gained more than six percent on Thursday. ...