-- South Korean AX specialist LG CNS (KRX:064400) posted first-quarter net income attributable to shareholders of 80.5 billion won, up 42% from 56.8 billion won a year earlier, according to a Thursday filing with the Korea Exchange.
Sales rose 8.6% year over year to 1.314 trillion won from 1.211 trillion won.
Shares of LG CNS fell nearly 3% at market close.
Crude oil prices rose on Thursday, hitting a four-year high, amid concerns that hostilities in the Middle East may start up again and prolong the supply disruptions in the region.Brent crude at last look jumped 2.9% to US$121.48/barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 1.5% to $108.51/barrel. This comes after Axios, citing unidentified sources, reported that U.S. President Donald Trump is set to receive a briefing on plans for a series of military strikes on Iran to push for a return to negotiations on its nuclear program, Reuters said in a Thursday report.Additionally, Trump spoke with oil companies about how to mitigate the impact of a possible months-long U.S. blockade, Reuters reported, citing a White House official.Continued price hikes risk a renewed spike in global inflation and higher fuel prices, the report said. "For those who do not think Brent prices have the potential to reach $150 a barrel, you ought to look away now," Reuters quoted John Evans of oil broker PVM as saying."Prospects for any near-term resolution to the Iran conflict or a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remain dim," IG market analyst Tony Sycamore was quoted as saying in a note.