Oil prices rise more than 3% as U.S. warns Houthis against Red Sea attacks, OPEC pledges unity

Oil rose more than 3% on Wednesday as the U.S. warned Houthi militants against further attacks in the Red Sea and OPEC pledged to remain united in supporting prices. This comes a day after Danish shipping giant Maersk halted all shipping through the Red Sea until further notice due to repeated Houthi attacks on vessels. German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd confirmed Wednesday that it would continue to avoid the Red Sea. Oil prices have been volatile this week, with U.S. crude and the global benchmark settling more than 1% lower on Tuesday despite Maersk's decision to continue avoiding the Red Sea due to attacks by the Houthis. OPEC and its allies issued a statement Wednesday pledging to remain united in the group's "efforts to maintain oil market stability going forward."