US petrol and heating oil futures gained and US treasuries also rose yesterday, as economic worries over Hurricane Sandy fuelled safe-haven buying in thin trading volume as the powerful storm began to batter the US east coast.

“Extremely dangerous” Hurricane Ike grew to fierce Category 4 strength today as it roared on an uncertain path that forced millions from the Caribbean to Florida, and Louisiana to Mexico, to wonder where it would eventually strike.

Hurricane Isabel pushed its way up the US eastern seaboard, weakening from 100 mph winds to a tropical storm but not before swamping roads and knocking out power to more than 2.5 million people.