"Major Oil Exporters Fail to Agree on Production Freeze"

"DOHA, Qatar — Officials from 18 oil-producing nations failed on Sunday to reach a deal to freeze oil production at current levels.

The meeting of officials, representing most of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries as well as Russia, had been intended to calm the markets and convince them that the two leading oil exporters, Russia and Saudi Arabia, were cooperating. But with officials coming up short on Sunday, the meeting may end up being a blow to confidence that could send oil prices tumbling.

A sharp fall in oil prices could also feed into equity prices, which have recently tended to rise and fall along with oil prices."

Stanley Reed and Andrew E. Kramer report for the New York Times April 17, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Asia Markets Fall After Oil Production Deal Collapses" (New York Times)

"Oil Price Dives After Producers Fail To Agree Output Cap" (BBC News)