(STOXX 600 -0.6%) started Thursday's busy earnings day in the red, with higher energy prices and disappointing earnings weighing on indices. Precious metals are softer as rising oil prices once again hit by the rising oil prices. are softer as rising oil prices once again hit by the rising oil prices. rallied at the open but is well off today's best levels amid higher oil prices and after hitting resistance around the 67,000 level. So that’s pushed oil prices up to a 7-week high, and has also fuelled speculation about more rate hikes.