Oil eases as U.S. demand concerns outweigh fears over Middle East conflicts [Video]

Oil prices eased in early trade on Thursday as concerns about a potential slowdown in the U.S. economy amid prospects for delayed interest rate cuts outweighed worries over the risk of expanding conflict in the Middle East.

Brent crude futures dipped 9 cents, or 0.1%, to $86.95 a barrel at 0024 GMT, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures slipped 7 cents, or 0.1%, to $82.74 a barrel. Both benchmarks lost less than 1% on Wednesday.

“Tensions between Iran and Israel have eased, but Israeli attacks on Gaza are expected to worsen, and the risk of conflicts spreading to neighboring countries is underpinning oil prices,” said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities Co Ltd.

“On the other hand, a delayed U.S. interest rate cut has been a source of concern for the U.S. economy and the demand for crude oil, which weighs on oil market,” he said.

Israeli warplanes pounded the northern Gaza strip for a second day …