 "Oil prices slip on profit-taking in Asian trade")
Oil prices eased on profit-taking in Asian trade today while dealers grow cautious over a supply glut and waning global demand, analysts said.
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in July dropped a cent to $96.68 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for August delivery shed 20 cents to $104.75.
Both contracts closed higher yesterday following upbeat US economic data.
Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets in Sydney, told AFP: "Underlying fundamentals look precarious, with oversupply variables and a waning demand."
The World Bank yesterday slashed its 2013 growth forecast for China to 7.7 percent from a previous estimate of 8.4%, warning of a potential "sharp" slowdown triggered by a fall in investment.
It also shaved its global growth forecast to 2.2% from 2.4%, largely due to the eurozone's recession.
The market was also watching developments in Sudan following an oil pipeline blast.
Sudan's army yesterday blamed South Sudanese-backed rebels for the explosion in the disputed Abyei area, as African mediators try to salvage an oil export pact between the two nations.
The allegation comes two days after Sudan's petroleum ministry formally told oil companies to block exports of crude from the South within 60 days, reigniting tensions after weeks of calm between the two sides.
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in July dropped a cent to $96.68 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for August delivery shed 20 cents to $104.75.
Both contracts closed higher yesterday following upbeat US economic data.
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"Oil has gone up quite a bit in the past couple of weeks, so it is due for some technical resistance," Kelly Teoh, market strategist at IG Markets in Singapore, told AFP.
Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets in Sydney, told AFP: "Underlying fundamentals look precarious, with oversupply variables and a waning demand."
The World Bank yesterday slashed its 2013 growth forecast for China to 7.7 percent from a previous estimate of 8.4%, warning of a potential "sharp" slowdown triggered by a fall in investment.
It also shaved its global growth forecast to 2.2% from 2.4%, largely due to the eurozone's recession.
The market was also watching developments in Sudan following an oil pipeline blast.
Sudan's army yesterday blamed South Sudanese-backed rebels for the explosion in the disputed Abyei area, as African mediators try to salvage an oil export pact between the two nations.
The allegation comes two days after Sudan's petroleum ministry formally told oil companies to block exports of crude from the South within 60 days, reigniting tensions after weeks of calm between the two sides.