Crude dropped below $72 for the first time since March 3 and fell about 3%, easing inflation concerns as U.S.-Iran talks continued and benchmark Treasury yields moved lower.
US oil prices fell below $72 per barrel for the first time since March 3, with crude down about 3% as U.S.-Iran talks continued, reducing geopolitical pressure in energy markets. Lower oil prices can ease inflationary pressure by cutting fuel, transport and other input costs, a dynamic that weighed on U.S. Treasury yields and could influence interest-rate expectations. The 10-year Treasury yield slipped to 4.416% after briefly touching 4.5% overnight, from 4.493% the previous day, while the two-year yield fell to 4.168% from 4.191%. The move came even as the Federal Reserve’s hawkish tone supported the dollar and kept expectations alive for at least one, and possibly two, further rate increases this year.