Iraq and oil price fears may send investors scurrying

CONCERNS about potential escalation of violence in Iraq and the fallout from resurgent crude oil prices may send investors scurrying this week, leaving US stocks vulnerable to a pullback, analysts believe.

While the week also will feature some key earnings from companies like ketchup maker Heinz and a slew of economic reports, the turmoil in Iraq was expected to move into sharper focus.

Analysts said investors are worried that the violence would spill over to other countries in the Middle East and send crude prices skyrocketing at a time when tension has also been rising over Iran’s nuclear plans.