Oil prices steady, boosted by U.S. economic data

NEW YORK: Oil prices were steady on Thursday, bolstered by strong U.S. economic data that offset investors' concerns about the potential for a rise in Iranian supplies.

Brent fell 2 cents to $68.85 a barrel by 10:52 a.m. EDT (1452 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was unchanged at $66.21 a barrel.

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped more than expected last week, according to data from the U.S. Labor Department.

The U.S. economy, which in the first quarter notched its second-fastest growth pace since the third quarter of 2003, is gathering momentum, with other data on Thursday showing business spending on equipment accelerated in April.

"That's given us more of a risk-on attitude about the markets," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. "We're back to focusing on supply and demand."

Prices have been weighed by the threat of Iranian supplies re-entering the market.

Iran and global powers have been negotiating since April to work out how Tehran and Washington should secure the lifting of sanctions on Iran, including its energy sector, in return for Iranian compliance with restrictions on its nuclear work.

Those talks will be a major issue for a June 1 meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, a group known as OPEC+.

The producers will have to assess whether to change plans for easing production curbs against the prospect of additional Iranian supply.

Analysts said any increase in supply from Iran would be gradual, with JP Morgan estimating Iran could add 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) by the end of this year and a further 500,000 bpd by August 2022.