0154 GMT - Shares of Australia's two oil refiners jump to more than one-year highs as escalating attacks on Middle East energy infrastructure drive up fuel prices. Viva Energy is up 17% at A$2.47, its highest level since February 2025. Ampol gains 5.5% to A$33.25, its highest since August 2024. Australia's refining sector has hollowed out in recent years. Around 15 years ago, it had seven refineries. Coming out of the pandemic, it had two plants. Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures were last 2.4% higher at US$98.66 a barrel. Front-month Brent crude oil futures rose 3.2% to US$110.84 a barrel after earlier touching US$112.00 a barrel, the highest intraday level since March 9, ICE data showed. (david.winning@wsj.com; @dwinningWSJ)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 18, 2026 21:54 ET (01:54 GMT)
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