AFP, Singapore :
Oil prices eased in Asian trade Monday on demand fears after data suggested China’s manufacturing activity contracted in March to its weakest rate in eight months.
New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate for May delivery, eased 19 cents to $99.27 a barrel in mid-morning trade, and Brent crude for May dipped 18 cents to $106.74.
HSBC said preliminary readings showed Chinese factory activity had contracted in March, adding to concerns about the world’s number two economy.
The British banking giant’s flash purchasing managers index (PMI) came in at 48.1, an eight-month low and down from 48.5 in February. A final figure will be released next week.
Anything below 50 indicates contraction while a figure above points to expansion.
