OIL RACES HIGHER AMID HIGH TENSIONS AS RETAIL SALES STUMBLE

What happened: Oil prices rose amid high geopolitical tension while UK retail sales fell and a tech rout tested market confidence, per Susannah Streeter of Wealth Club. Key numbers: UK retail sales fell 0.4%, a sharper decline than expected. Brent Crude hit $114 a barrel, the highest since May. Why it matters: Higher energy and freight costs are fanning inflation fears, and bets have increased on central banks hiking rates more rapidly. Streeter says the environment does not bode well for the run-up to Christmas, and tech stocks are likely to see little comeback.

Oil rises on high tensions while retail sales stumble.

Oil rises on high tensions while retail sales stumble. — impact context not separately stored; see What changed.