International Business: Oil prices rise but Omicron worries linger – Gulf Digital News

International Business: Oil prices rise but Omicron worries linger – Gulf Digital News

LONDON: Oil prices rebounded on Tuesday after a sharp fall in the previous session as investors' appetite for risk improved, although they remained cautious amid the rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant across the globe.

Brent crude was up 84 cents, or 1.2%, at $72.36 a barrel by 1117 GMT, and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 95 cents, or 1.4%, to $69.56 a barrel.

"After a rough couple of days, crude prices are rebounding as much of the Covid wall of worry has been priced in," said Edward Moya, senior analyst at OANDA.

Countries across Europe were considering new curbs on movement as the fast-moving Omicron variant swept the world days before Christmas, throwing travel plans into chaos and unnerving financial markets.

Omicron infections are multiplying rapidly across Europe, the United States and Asia, including in Japan, where a single cluster at a military base has grown to at least 180 cases.

"This is a pragmatic market that wants to be bullish but knows relief rallies, like the one this morning, will not last," said Tamas Varga, oil analyst at London brokerage PVM Oil Associates.

"The upside is likely to be limited and more restrictions will be greeted with renewed selling," he