Thursday, March 10, 2011

Economist warns of double dip recession if oil hits $140

Nouriel Roubini, the economist who correctly predicted the global financial crisis, warned on Thursday that some advanced economies could experience a double dip recession if the price of oil climbs to $140 a barrel.

"It the turmoil in the Middle East becomes much worse and the price of oil reaches $140-150 a barrel then the risk of a double dip recession increases," Roubini said in a keynote speech here at MIPIM, the world's annual gathering of real estate professionals.

World oil prices fell back Thursday after spiking sharply higher a day earlier, with New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in April, dropped 32 cents to $104.06 a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for April shed 51 cents to $115.43.

Several analysts have forecast oil could again reach the record $147 it set July 2008 before the onset of the global financial crisis if unrest spreads through the Middle East.

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