ISTANBUL, Aug 24 — Oil prices decreased today over demand worries as weak economic data from key economies sparked concerns over the global economy, reported Anadolu.

International benchmark Brent crude traded at US$82.81 (RM384) per barrel at 10.03am local time (0703 GMT), a 0.48 per cent fall from the closing price yesterday of US$83.21 per barrel.

The American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded at the same time at US$78.47 per barrel, down 0.53 per cent from the previous session close of US$78.89 per barrel.

Driven by bearish economic data from key economies, oil prices slumped yesterday and extended their losses today.

The manufacturing PMI in the US fell to 47 from 49 in July, while service sector business activity growth was the slowest since February at 51 in August.

Business activity in the eurozone declined more than expected, while Britain’s economy looked set to shrink this quarter.

Expectations of further interest rate hikes in the US supported the decline in oil prices. Investors fear that higher US rates could potentially hurt oil demand in the world’s largest oil consumer.

Markets await more signals on US monetary policy from the Jackson Hole Symposium tomorrow.

Meanwhile, data released by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) yesterday showed that commercial crude oil inventories in the country decreased by 6.1 million barrels during the week ending August 18.

The fall in inventory, which was higher than the American Petroleum Institute’s expectation of a drop of 2.42 million barrels, reflected strong demand in the world’s top oil-consuming country.

However, US gasoline inventories rose by around 1.5 million barrels during the same week, signalling a probable drop in demand towards the end of the summer travel season.

Moreover, tight global supply concerns after output curbs from OPEC+ countries, Saudi Arabia, and Russia are still keeping oil prices trading close to their highest levels of this year. — Bernama-Anadolu