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Oil prices hold their ground after falling on China stimulus

Oil prices were little changed in early trading on Tuesday, waiting for more rate direction from OPEC's month-to-month report after China's stimulus strategy and oversupply issues took the wind out of markets in prior sessions.

Brent unrefined futures fell 1 cent to $71.82 a barrel, by 0158 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate unrefined futures were at $68.07 a barrel, up 3 cents.

Both agreements had fallen by more than 5% over the previous two trading sessions. China on Friday unveiled a 10 trillion yuan ($ 1.40 trillion) financial obligation package to ease city government financing strains, however experts said it disappointed the amount of stimulus that would be required to improve growth.

More cost direction will come from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) monthly report due to be launched later on Tuesday. The marketplace will be looking out for further down modifications in need from the group's outlook through 2025, which would contribute to downward pressure on prices.

Prompt time spreads for Brent and WTI have collapsed just recently, moving closer to contango, suggesting a. better-supplied physical market, ING experts stated in a note.

When a futures market remains in contango, contracts for prompt. delivery are less than for future shipment, recommending the. market is well supplied in the near term or that need for oil. is greater in the future.

The U.S. dollar closed greater on Monday as markets braced. for additional signals from U.S. inflation information and Federal Reserve. speakers this week.

That makes commodities denominated in the U.S. currency,. such as oil, more pricey for holders of other currencies and. tends to weigh on costs.

(source: Reuters)