Reports Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes against Iran rattled markets on Friday, with prices of oil, gold and equities seesawing during the trading session.
Oil steadied on Friday after prices spiked earlier on reports that Israel had attacked Iran, as market fears of a major escalation to hostilities in the Mideast appeared to ease and a build-up of global oil stocks weighed.
Oil prices fell to a three-week low on Thursday, extending losses on hopes of easing tensions in the key producing region of the Middle East, while investors turned their focus to a bleaker demand picture.