EU 'S KALLAS: IRAN CRISIS HAS SHOWN NEED FOR STRONGER EU-GULF PARTNERSHIP

China’s major futures contracts were mostly lower by midday, with LPG hitting the daily limit down. Low-sulfur fuel oil fell more than 15%, fuel oil dropped over 14% and SC crude declined more than 13%, while methanol slid over 10%. PX and propylene fell more than 9%, and asphalt, polypropylene and ethylene glycol dropped over 8%. On the upside, Shanghai silver rose more than 5%, tin gained over 4%, while rapeseed, palladium and platinum climbed more than 3%, and gold rose over 2%.

RUSSELL 2000 FUTURES UP 3.6%