Oil Prices Surge, Markets Mixed

BEIJING (AP) – Oil prices are surging and Asian stock markets are mixed after U.S. forces in Iraq killed an Iranian general. Benchmarks in Shanghai and Hong Kong declined while Australia and some Southeast Asian markets advanced. Markets in Malaysia and Indonesia, both oil producers, gained. News of the death of Gen. Qassem Soleimani prompted expectations of Iranian retaliation against American and Israeli targets. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 and Dow rose to new records, helped by technology stocks. Investors were encouraged by expectations of stronger global economic growth in 2020 and the planned signing of an interim U.S.-Chinese trade agreement.