AFP, Singapore :
Oil prices were mixed in Asia Thursday ahead of the release of fresh US economic data, while investors are optimistic following a report that Washington is to lift a decades-old crude export ban.
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate rose 18 cents to $106.68 while Brent eased eight cents to $113.92 in afternoon trade.
Analysts said prices were tracking gains in equity markets following a positive lead from Wall Street, despite data on Wednesday showing the US economy fell at a 2.9 percent annual pace in the quarter to March, worse than previous estimates.
French lender Credit Agricole said investors are looking beyond the report as “recent healthy economic releases suggest a substantial rebound” in the second quarter.
Investors will next be scrutinising a slew of latest economic figures, including personal income, personal spending and initial jobless claims data.
