A second day of declining oil prices helped lift stocks. Energy costs are a primary expense for companies, making them an important factor in inflation calculations.

Crude has dropped by more than 5% with prices now below the level when Israel first launched its attack.

A second day of declining oil prices helped lift stocks. Energy costs are a primary expense for companies, making them an important factor in inflation calculations.

Brent crude rose about 1 per cent to near US$68 a barrel, after slumping 13 per cent over the past two days, while West Texas Intermediate was above US$65.