Brent up but off highs, US crude ends with small loss

Brent futures settled at US$108.65 a barrel, up $1.27, or 1.18%. US West Texas Intermediate crude finished at US$96.14 a barrel, down 18 cents or 0.19%.

HOUSTON: Brent crude was up on Thursday but well off session highs of US$119 a barrel while US crude futures finished with a small loss hours after hitting a session high over $100 a barrel.

Trading was volatile as Iran attacked energy targets overnight in the Middle East, leading the US government to take steps to expand supply as President Donald Trump looked toward November midterm elections where his Republican Party hopes to retain control of Congress.