Global oil prices continued to rise, lifting European energy stocks at the open,
after Mitsubishi UFJ analyst Soojin Kim said tougher demands from the US and
Iran have slowed progress toward an agreement to restore normal shipping through
the Strait of Hormuz. Brent futures rose for a fourth consecutive session.
Equinor gained about 2%, ENI about 2%, Repsol 1.5%, BP and Shell around 1%, and
Total 1.3%.