Oil up despite weak Europe data

LONDON (Reuters): Oil prices edged up on Tuesday to trade close to $114 a barrel after weak European economic data proved to be slightly less gloomy than anticipated and ahead of a US report expected to show a drop in oil stockpiles.

The euro zone’s debt-ravaged economy shrank in the second quarter, having flatlined in the first, despite continued German growth which economists said could soon be snuffed out.

The euro zone economy shrank in the April-to-June period, in line with expectations, as businesses and consumers reined in spending although second-quarter GDP data from France and Germany was better than expected.

But, Germany’s forward-looking ZEW sentiment index has dampened hopes the euro zone stalwart will be able to decouple itself from the region’s economic downturn, after it dropped unexpectedly in August.

Brent crude rose 34 cents to $113.94 a barrel by 1028 GMT, after closing 65 cents up at its highest settlement since May 3.

US crude firmed by 38 cents to $93.11 a barrel.

Apart from European growth numbers, markets were also eyeing July retail sales data from the United States for an indication on the health of the world’s biggest oil buyer. Economists in a Reuters survey expect a 0.3 per cent rise compared with a 0.5 per cent decrease in June.

“Investors will be looking for a positive retail sales number in July to turn around a succession of weaker months,” Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, said in a note.

Prices also remained supported by underlying supply worries stemming from tensions in the Middle East and falling North Sea production in September.

“The Brent field problems, reduced stocks in the US, hurricane season, Iran tensions and threats from Israel to crush their nuclear ambitions, unrest in Syria are all adding to the melting pot,” said Robert Montefusco, oil trader at Sucden Financial in London.

“Demand is not really there but these factors are adding up to the bullish camp.”