Brent oil price slumps to eight-month low under $100

LONDON: Brent oil prices sank under $100 per barrel here on Friday for the first time in eight months, hit by weak Chinese and US data and ongoing eurozone debt tensions centred on Spain.

At about 0910 GMT, Brent North Sea crude for July delivery tumbled $2.27 to strike $99.60 a barrel, which was the lowest level since October 4, 2011.

At the same time, New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate crude for July dived to $84.78 a barrel -- which was the lowest level since October 20.