LONDON: Stock markets slid and oil prices jumped Friday on worries that an expected ground invasion of Gaza by Israel would spark a wider conflict in the crude-rich Middle East.

Risk aversion was compounded by US Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell, who indicated a pause in interest rates at the bank’s next meeting but left open the prospect of a later hike.

That helped boost the dollar, which was close to topping 150 yen after surpassing the psychological level at the start of October for the first time in a year.

The pound dropped on weak UK economic data.

Gold, a go-to haven asset in times of uncertainty, hit close to $2,000 an ounce.

“Risk-off sentiment continues to grip European markets,” noted Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, after losses for Asian stocks and on Thursday in the United States.

“The conflict between Israel and Gaza has pushed gold to a three-month high and sparked further gains in the oil market.”

Traders are wrestling also with the prospect that US interest rates will remain elevated for some time as the Fed battles to contain inflation.

On Thursday, Powell suggested decision-makers would not hike at their next meeting at the end of October but left the door open to more tightening down the line.

News that weekly jobless claims in the United States came in lower than expected, suggesting the labour market was tighter than many predicted, dealt a blow to traders’ confidence.

Newspakistan.tv/APP/AFP