Oil Update – prices ease, but China policy stance checks losses

LONDON: Oil prices slipped on Tuesday as concerns eased about the fallout from Syrian President Bashar Assad’s overthrow, but the market found support in China’s vow to ramp up policy stimulus, which could boost the top global crude buyer’s demand.

Brent crude futures fell 26 cents, or about 0.4 percent, to $71.88 per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 30 cents, also 0.4 percent lower, at $68.07 at 10:07 a.m. Saudi time. Both benchmarks climbed more than 1 percent on Monday.