Morgans AM: Tuesday, 16 January 2024

Benchmark oil prices weaker, with traders watching out for supply disruption risk in the Middle East following strikes by U.S. and British forces to stop Houthi militia in Yemen from attacking ships in the Red Sea - WTI lost -US$0.32c or -04% to US$72.36/barrel. Brent fell -US$0.34c or -0.4% to US$77.98/barrel. European bourses the pan-European Stoxx 600 index (which includes UK equities) -0.54%. Germany's DAX lost -0.49%. France's CAC shed -0.72%. Atos tumbled -% after the French information technology group said free cash flow would come in around €100M below target, but reaffirmed it would meet its other financial benchmarks amid growing concerns about its liquidity.