SINGAPORE: Brent crude fell near $108 on Wednesday as data from the United States and China showed a slowdown in economic growth, stoking fears of weaker demand from the world's two largest oil users.
Data showed the United States economy grew slower than expected in the third quarter while Chinese factories battled with their weakest activity in 32 months in November. This offset earlier support for oil prices from fresh sanctions against Iran.
ICE Brent January crude fell $1.07 to $107.96 a barrel by 0722 GMT, up from an intraday low of $107.84.
US January crude was down $1.51 to $96.50 a barrel, after earlier slipping to as low as $96.39.
"The short-term reaction will be negative, but China will probably start monetary easing measures that will be positive for commodities in the medium term," ANZ analyst Natalie Robertson said.
Asian equities fell as a weak Chinese manufacturing survey renewed fears of a hard landing for the world's No. 2 economy, exacerbating worries about faltering global growth following a downward revision of US GDP data.
The HSBC flash manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI), the earliest indicator of China's industrial activity, slumped in November to 48, a low not seen since March 2009.
The US economy grew at a 2.0 percent annual rate in the third quarter, down from the previously reported 2.5 percent.
J.P. Morgan reduced its forecasts for Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for 2012 on rising supply and as policy failures in the United States and Europe, and signs of weaker growth in China, have darkened the outlook for commodities in the next six months.
"The headwind of economic and financial market risks is turning into a gale at the same time that Libyan production is ramping up," J.P. Morgan analysts led by Lawrence Eagles said in a note.
The market is receiving more supply from Libya and the Middle East while economic uncertainty increased as Europe and the United States struggled with debt issues, the bank said, adding that it expects Brent and WTI to fall to $105 and $94 a barrel by the end of the first quarter in 2012.
MIDEAST, WINTER SUPPORT
Turmoil in Middle Eastern countries Egypt and Syria, fresh sanctions and possible military strikes against Iran and strong winter demand are expected to support prices, said Gordon Kwan, head of regional energy research at Mirae Assets Securities.
He expects WTI and Brent to stay above $90 and $100 a barrel, respectively.
Iran dismissed the new wave of sanctions, saying the West's attempts to isolate its economy would unite Iranians behind the government's nuclear programme.
In Europe, the IMF on Tuesday beefed up its lending instruments and launched a six-month liquidity line, throwing help to countries with solid policies that may be at risk from the euro zone debt crisis.
"The European debt crisis will be a downside risk to the global growth view," ANZ's Robertson said. "US data appears to be improving, but is still below trend."
The United States will release weekly government oil stocks data later on Wednesday. US crude oil inventories fell unexpectedly last week as imports dropped, while gasoline stocks rose sharply.
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