# Oil hits $110, fuels inflation fears and AI stock selloff

> Brent crude reaches $110 for first time since May as Middle East tensions spike oil prices and AI stock debt concerns.
- Title: Oil hits $110, fuels inflation fears and AI stock selloff
- Summary: Brent crude reaches $110 for first time since May as Middle East tensions spike oil prices and AI stock debt concerns. Brent crude hit $110 a barrel for the…
- Keywords: brent crude, oil prices, us inflation, fed rates, ai stocks, middle east tensions, russian oil refinery, strait of hormuz, iea oil release, nvidia coreweave, broadcom, s&p 500
- Source: Financialexpress — https://financialexpress.com/world-news/oil-hit-110-for-first-time-since-may-raises-fresh-concerns-over-us-inflation-fed-rates/4363574
- Author: Aditi
- Published: 2026-10-17T05:39:38+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: brent crude, oil prices, us inflation, fed rates, ai stocks, middle east tensions, russian oil refinery, strait of hormuz, iea oil release, nvidia coreweave, broadcom, s&p 500
## Oil prices surge
Brent crude hit $110 a barrel for the first time since May as renewed Middle East tensions stoked fears of further oil supply disruptions.
## US stocks tumble
The S&P 500 fell 1.22% to 7,649.71 points as oil prices rose and AI stock debt concerns intensified.
## Middle East tensions
Iran reportedly preparing pre-emptive strike following secret military movements detected by Western intelligence.
## Ukraine strikes Russian refinery
Ukraine struck a Russian oil refinery after President Zelenskiy abandoned ceasefire covering energy infrastructure.
## Oil prices rise
Brent crude futures settled $3.94 higher at $109.86 a barrel, their highest closing level since May 19.
## AI stock selloff
Nvidia-backed CoreWeave fell 12% taking five sessions of losses to 25% as investors questioned ai investment returns.
## Strait of Hormuz attacks
Attacks around the Strait of Hormuz increased over 10 days as Iran steps up strikes in response to US blockade and sanctions.
## IEA releases oil
International Energy Agency agreed to release more than 20 million barrels of fuel to boost global supply.
## Fed rate concerns
Higher oil prices could keep inflation elevated and limit fed rate cuts, keeping borrowing expensive.
## AI debt worries
Investors questioned whether ai companies' heavy investment in data centers would generate sufficient returns.
## Key takeaway

Brent crude hit $110 a barrel for the first time since May due to Middle East tensions, raising inflation fears and AI company debt concerns.