Around 1530 GMT, the Dow Jones lost 0.02%, the Nasdaq fell by 0.26% and the S & P 500 0.17% let go.

On Monday, worried about the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on the global economy, the Dow Jones lost 2.37% to 32,817.38 points its fifth loss in the last six sessions.

The Nasdaq plunged 3.62% to 12,830.96 points, falling into "bear market", a market bearish while the index dropped to 20% below its peak in November.

The S&P 500 had lost 2.95% to 4,201.09 points, largely falling into the correction zone, the broader index having dropped more than 10% since the start of the year.

"Nothing has improved since yesterday (Monday) regarding the Russian-Ukrainian situation. On the contrary, things have worsened, Russia threatened to cut off gas to Germany if its oil exports were prohibited" , expressed concern Patrick O'Hare of Briefing.com.

President Joe Biden is due to speak at around 3:45 p.m. GMT on Tuesday to announce an embargo on Russian oil imports into the United States, US media said.

According to the White House, the American president must “announce actions aimed at sanctioning Russia for its unjustified and unprovoked war” against Ukraine.

Russian oil imports represent 8% of foreign purchases of hydrocarbons by the United States.

These measures should further push crude prices higher.

Oil prices rose sharply Tuesday in a volatile market.

Around 1530 GMT, the price of Brent North Sea crude for May delivery climbed 7.41% to 132.34 dollars.

A barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for April delivery gained 7.57% to 128.47 dollars.

This rise in commodity prices is fueling concerns about a slowdown in global growth, as it is associated with runaway inflation.

The market will have a new indication on Thursday of inflation in February with the publication of the American consumer price index (CPI).

Rates on ten-year Treasury bills, which move in the opposite direction to prices, stretched slightly again to 1.86% against 1.77% the day before.

"Rising oil prices will affect the price of consumer goods other than gasoline and diesel. The public will pay more for lubricants, motor oil, tires, tiles," said Andy Lipow, commodity market expert for Lipow Oil Associates.

"Local authorities in charge of roads will pay more for asphalt, fewer roads will be tarred. Rising oil prices also lead to higher prices for nylon or polyester clothing, carpets, etc.", said -t he added.

The price of gasoline at the pump set a new all-time high in the United States on Tuesday.

The average price of a gallon of gas (3.78 litres) was $4.17, higher than the previous record high of $4.11, which dates back to 2008, according to the AAA Motorists Association.

In one month, the average price increased by 20%.

Boosted by this rise, shares of Exxon Mobil and Chevron gained more than 4% and the energy sector was the only sector in the S&P 500 to register in the green, climbing more than 3%.

Despite the prospect of kerosene at its highest, airline securities, which had suffered greatly the day before, again attracted investors.

American Airline took 2.42% to 13.15 dollars and Delta advanced 3.17% to 31.08 dollars.

Google (Alphabet) clawing 0.83% to 2550.95 dollars after Tuesday announced its intention to buy the company specialized in cyber Mandiant for about 5.4 billion.

Mandiant lost 3% to 21.80 dollars.

© 2022 AFP