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Oil prices sluggish sell-off as expectations of Fed rate cut grow

A sharp selloff in crude oil stopped briefly on Thursday after expectations of a rate cut by the Federal Reserve offset a lot of weak financial data from the world's two largest economies, the United States and China.

Brent unrefined futures were 3 cents approximately $76.08 a. barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 5. cents to trade at $71.88 at 0036 GMT. Both agreements lost over. $ 1, or more than 1%, in the previous session.

WTI touched its least expensive given that early February on Wednesday. after modified U.S. employment data revealed less tasks than. previously reported and weak financial information from China, the. world's second-largest economy.

The modified jobs data offset support from a drop in U.S. oil. stocks.

The overnight downturn in oil costs took a breather in. early Thursday trade, nevertheless, as markets focussed on the. prospects for near term U.S. rate cuts.

The Federal Reserve appeared to be on track for an interest. rate cut in September after a huge bulk of authorities stated. such an action was likely, according to the minutes of the U.S. reserve bank's July 30-31 conference. The minutes from the Fed's 31 July conference show that cuts. are just around the corner, ANZ Research stated in a note. The. prospect of reducing financial policy must support sentiment. throughout the energy and metal markets.

Lower rate of interest minimizes the cost of loaning, which. can boost economic activity and demand for oil.

Geopolitical dangers also stayed at the centre of financiers'. focus.

In the Middle East, U.S. President Joe Biden, in a phone. call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, worried. the urgent requirement to conclude a Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal. and indicated upcoming Cairo talks as essential.

Nevertheless, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's journey to. the Middle East previously in the week ended without an arrangement. between Israel and Hamas militants on a truce in the Palestinian. enclave.

(source: Reuters)