Investing.com -- Shares in energy groups sank on Monday, mirroring a sharp decline in oil prices after Israel's retaliatory strike on Iran over the weekend avoided Tehran's oil and nuclear facilities, easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
By 08:08 ET (12:08 GMT), the Brent contract dropped 5.8% to $71.63 per barrel, while U.S. crude futures (WTI) traded 6.1% lower at $67.38 per barrel.
London-listed shares in oil giant Shell (LON:SHEL), along with peer BP (NYSE:BP), were both lower in early afternoon dealmaking. In the US, ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) had fallen by 2.5% in premarket trading, while Chevron (NYSE:CVX) declined by 2.4%.
However, airline stocks, including Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), American Air Lines, and United Airlines, all jumped prior to the opening bell on Wall Street. A decrease in oil prices could bode well for carriers' profits.
Traders had feared that any attacks on Iran’s oil and nuclear infrastructure would mark a dire escalation in the conflict, potentially disrupting oil supplies from the crude-rich region. Iran downplayed the impact of the attack, but still threatened retaliation.
The strike caused some investors to price out a risk premium from crude prices, putting the focus squarely back on demand, which is expected to weaken in the coming months.
Beyond the conflict in the Middle East, markets were also keeping an eye on a slew of key upcoming economic readings for more cues on global oil demand.
In the US, gross domestic product data and the monthly nonfarm payrolls report are due out in the coming days, while the personal consumption expenditures price index -- the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge -- is also scheduled to be released later in the week.
Elsewhere, the latest purchasing managers' index from China -- the world’s biggest oil importer -- is expected later in the week, offering up more cues on business activity in the country after Beijing unveiled a recent string of major stimulus measures.