Oil was higher in Asian trade today but underlying concerns about the fragile US economic recovery were expected to keep a lid on prices, analysts said.
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for November delivery, gained 25 cents to $76.43 a barrel.
Brent North Sea crude for November delivery was 47 cents higher at $79.18.
New data suggesting the US economy is struggling and falling American consumer confidence are factors that will keep crude futures prices under pressure, analysts said.
Lingering worries on Europe's debt crisis also weighed on investor minds, they said.
"The market sentiment looks uncertain as the global macroeconomic picture is fairly poor following mixed economic indicators from the US and Asia," said Sucden Financial analyst Myrto Sokou.
"Investors might remain cautious amid these uncertain conditions as renewed concerns about the eurozone's economic recovery continue to dominate the markets and weigh on market sentiment," she added.
Confidence in the global economic recovery and the oil market was shaken after two reports suggested the US economy was struggling.
A report by the Conference Board, a business research firm, said Americans were pessimistic about the economic recovery, seeing worsening business and job market conditions.
"Consumer confidence is being sapped by high unemployment, rising gasoline prices, low equity prices and now a renewed decline in house prices," analysts from Capital Economics said in a report.
"Overall, falling confidence and house prices suggest that 15 months into this economic recovery households are no nearer to picking up the baton of growth."
