Brent crude hits more than five-month high on concern over Middle East escalation

Oil prices rose on Friday, with Brent crude touching a more than five-month high, after Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia stoked concern over further disruption to energy supplies from the Middle East. Brent crude futures gained $1.40, or 1.2 per cent, to $114.57 a barrel by 1138 GMT (4:38pm PKT), having earlier reached $115 for the highest level since May 4. US West Texas Intermediate crude gained $1.48, or 1.5pc, to $100.95. The Brent benchmark is on track for a third consecutive weekly gain, of

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