Data on China, tanker attacks and currencies in the news



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Chart of Asia-Pacific Market Indexes

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 101.94 points to close at 26,106.77. The S & P 500 gained 0.4% to close its day trading in the United States to 2,891.64, led by the energy sector, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.6% to close at 7 837.13.

At the same time, oil prices rose Thursday after the attack on two oil tankers off the Iranian coast.

It was not known immediately who was responsible for these attacks, but they occurred in the context of increased tensions in the Middle East and between the United States and Iran. Iranian leaders have repeatedly threatened to block traffic in the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic.

RBC Capital Markets strategists wrote in a note that the attacks "highlight the seriousness of the security risks stemming from the Iranian crisis and the difficulty of getting a diplomatic exit as long as the crippling sanctions of the United States remain in force".

US gross crude from West Texas rose $ 1.14 to $ 52.22, gaining 2.2% this Thursday. Brent, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose $ 1.34 or 2.2% to $ 61.31 a barrel. The price rebound came after the sharp drop on Wednesday as crude futures contracted 4% due to lingering demand fears and a further jump in US crude inventories.

Friday morning in the United States, Brent crude futures rose 0.38% to $ 61.54 a barrel, while US futures contracts edged down 0.1% to $ 52.23 a barrel.

One investor said that "the main objective" should be the general slowdown in growth.

"I think it's quite clear that we are at the last stage of the current growth cycle and that, to that extent, supply shocks are set aside, I do not see the price substantially increase oil, "said John Woods, chief investment officer for Asia Pacific at Credit Suisse said Friday at CNBC's" Squawk Box ".

"The demand for oil in a slowing growth environment is likely to remain at stake and, therefore, I do not think we have to worry about rising oil prices," said Woods.

The US dollar index, which compares the greenback to a basket of peers, stood at 97,024, after rising from levels of about 96.9 yesterday.

The Japanese yen, often considered a safe haven, traded at 108.30 after hitting 108.40. The Australian dollar changed hands at 0.6904 USD, falling for much of the week from previous levels above 0.700 USD.

– Natasha Turak from CNBC and Tom DiChristopher contributed to this report.

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