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Oil increases on broadening Chinese factory activity, but set to end year lower

Oil costs increased in early trade on Tuesday after information showed China's production activity broadened in December, but for a second successive year oil was on track to end lower due to demand concerns in top consuming nations.

Brent unrefined futures rose 47 cents, or 0.7%, to $ 74.46 a barrel since 0130 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 49 cents, also 0.7%, to $71.48 a barrel. For the year, Brent declined 3.2%, while WTI was down 0.6%.

China's production activity broadened for a third straight month in December but at a slower pace, a main factory study revealed on Tuesday, suggesting a blitz of fresh stimulus is assisting to support the world's second-largest economy.

Chinese authorities have actually also agreed to provide a record 3 trillion yuan ($ 411 billion) in unique treasury bonds in 2025 to revive economic development, Reuters reported last week.

While a weak longer-term need outlook has actually weighed on costs, they could discover short-term assistance from decreasing U.S. crude stockpiles, which are expected to have fallen by about 3 million barrels last week.

Both Brent and WTI were buoyed by a larger-than-expected drawdown from U.S. unrefined inventories in the week ended Dec. 20 as refiners ramped up activity and the holiday improved fuel need.

(source: Reuters)