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Oil rates hold near 3-week highs on Middle East tensions, China demand

Oil prices were little altered in early Asian trading on Tuesday, hovering near threeweek highs on heightened Middle East tensions and recuperating China need.

Brent futures ticked down 8 cents to $83.48 a barrel by 0133 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for April shipment inched down 10 cents to $78.36 a barrel. The March WTI contract rose 26 cents to $79.45 a barrel as traders prepared for that agreement to expire during the day.

Crude markets were marginally lower in peaceful trading over the Presidents' Day vacation in the U.S. and as demand concerns balanced out continuous Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions, IG market analyst Tony Sycamore stated in a note.

The Iran-aligned Houthis continued their attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, with at least 4 more vessels struck by drone and missile strikes given that Friday. Among them, the Belize-flagged, British-registered and Lebanese-managed Rubymar cargo vessel in the Gulf of Aden, was in threat of sinking, Houthis stated, raising the stakes in their campaign to interrupt worldwide shipping in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.

Signs of stronger demand in China likewise boosted belief, ANZ experts composed in a note.

Tourist incomes in China surged 47.3% year-on-year and increased above pre-COVID levels throughout the national Lunar New Year vacation that ended on Saturday.

China likewise cut a benchmark reference rate for mortgages by more than anticipated on Tuesday, in a bid to support its beleaguered property market and economy.

The price-supportive aspects did not totally offset demand worries. A bearish International Energy Firm

(source: Reuters)