TOKYO - Oil prices eased on Tuesday, giving up most of the gains from the previous day, on concerns over weak demand in China, with investors focusing on trade data due later in the day to gauge demand from the world's second-largest oil consumer.
"Oil prices were supported by continued output cuts by Saudi and Russia the previous day but investors' attention has shifted to demand, especially in China," said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities, noting all eyes are on data from China this week. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would consider "tactical little pauses" in Gaza fighting to facilitate the entry of aid or the exit of hostages, but again rejected calls for a general ceasefire despite growing international pressure.
Also on supply side, Venezuela's state-owned PDVSA is in talks with local and foreign oilfield firms to hire equipment and services that would allow it to revive depressed output, sources close to the meetings said, after the U.S. relaxed sanctions on the country.