Brent crude futures climbed in Thursday trading as risk appetite softened across global markets.
The energy complex moved higher even as equity indices opened in negative territory, highlighting a divergence between commodity demand and broader financial sentiment.
US stock markets faced selling pressure as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision later in the day.
The sell-off reflects uncertainty surrounding the central bank's policy path, with traders weighing the implications of potential rate adjustments on growth and inflation expectations.
The market backdrop is further complicated by upcoming quarterly earnings reports from major technology firms, including Microsoft and Meta Platforms.
These results will test investor patience regarding large-scale capital expenditures in artificial intelligence, adding another layer of volatility to an already sensitive session.