Wall Street appeared under pressure from different front [E]

U.S. shares fell in the second session in a row. Record oil prices, 

increase of geopolitical risks and pessimistic start of quarter 

reporting season put pressure on the market.

Oil reached a record $76.40 per barrel after weak report of U.S. Energy 

Department about oil stockpiles on Wednesday. Fears about possible 

deliveries' disrupts increased because of Iran's  nuclear 

program" and violence between Israel and Lebanon. It put an additional 

pressure. Besides, announcements about explosions in Nigeria supported 

speculative demand. Nigeria is the world's 8th oil exporter. 

On Wednesday U.S. stock market fell on fears of economic slowdown and corporate profits. Dow and S&P 500 dropped 1.1%, while 

technological Nasdaq lost 1.8%.

Before the bell Labor Department published Jobless Claims report. 

According to report the figure rose 19K to 332K. 

Corporate news: Britain insurance company Aviva agreed to pay $2.9 

bln. for U.S. AmerUs Group in cash. 

Carlos Ghosn, the CEO of Nissan and Renault, told the French newspaper 

Le Monde that an alliance between those two companies and General 

Motors would represent a "huge opportunity," but only talks will tell if it 

could work. Ghosn and GM CEO Rick Wagoner are set to start those talks 

on Friday.