Oil prices were mixed on Monday, with Brent crude edging higher, supported by tighter supplies and positive economic data, while U.S. benchmark WTI futures dropped on concern that a spike in coronavirus cases could curb demand in the United States.

Brent crude LCOc1 was up 40 cents, or 1%, to $43.20 per barrel by 10:42 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 was down 9 cents, or 0.2%, at $40.56.

In the first four days of July alone, 15 U.S. states have reported record increases in new cases of COVID-19, which has infected nearly 3 million Americans and killed about 130,000, according to a Reuters tally.

However, Brent found some support as investors expected a string of improving economic data.

Source : Reuters