국제유가 또다시 최고치 경신… 배럴당 146달러

국제유가가 3일 배럴당 146달러 까지 오르면서 또다시 최고치를 경신했습니다.

뉴욕에서는 원유 선물가격이 장중 배럴당 145달러 85센트에 최고치를 기록했다 장후반에 조금 떨어졌고 런던에서는 146달러 69 센트까지 치솟았습니다.

분석가들은 국제유가 상승의 주요 원인으로 미국 달러화의 약세와 중동지역 분쟁에 대한 우려, 그리고 낮은 원유 재고량을 꼽았습니다.

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World oil prices soared to fresh record highs around 146 dollars a barrel in today's (Thursday's) trading, increasing the threat of inflation and dimming prospects for global economic growth

In New York, the price of crude oil for future delivery went as high as 145 dollars, 85 cents a barrel before easing in later trading. In London, prices went slightly higher (to 146 dollars, 69 cents).

Analysts blamed the price hikes on a weak U.S. dollar, concerns about conflict in the Middle East, and lower crude oil inventories.

Raising the price of oil boosts the cost of making many goods and increases the cost of delivering everything, so soaring energy costs are increasing the threat of inflation.

Today (Thursday), the European Central Bank tried to fight inflation by raising interest rates a quarter of a point (to four-and-a-quarter percent).

Increasing interest rates slows the economy by raising the cost of borrowing money to buy equipment to expand businesses or purchase homes.