Oil prices surge on Mideast war, stock markets diverge

World oil prices soared Wednesday, with the benchmark international contract Brent North Sea crude surpassing $95 for the first time in nearly six weeks as the United States and Iran carried out more strikes."European stock indices are brushing off the rise (oil prices)... after a stunning rally for US chip stocks on Tuesday," noted Kathleen Brooks, research director at traders XTB. Asia's main stock markets closed mixed on Wednesday, as investors eagerly awaited earnings updates from technology