*** Oil prices soar, stocks slide after Israel strikes Iran | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Oil prices soar, stocks slide after Israel strikes Iran

AFP | London

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Oil prices soared and stocks sank Friday after Israel launched strikes on nuclear and military sites in Iran, stoking fears of a full-blown war.

Oil futures rocketed more than 13% at one point before coming back to gains nearer 6%, reigniting worries about a renewed spike to inflation.

Wall Street opened in the red, with the Dow dropping more than 1% and S&P 500 shedding 0.8%, after equities in Asia and Europe tumbled.

While shares in many companies slid, those of energy groups jumped as crude prices were still up more than seven% in European afternoon trading hours.Shares in major airlines tumbled after flights around the Middle East were suspended.

The dollar jumped, while gold -- viewed as a safe haven investment -- was close to its record high of above $3,500 an ounce set in April, having added around 30% since the start of the year.