Crude oil futures staged a last minute recovery on Monday, helped by the weaker dollar and as markets shrugged off disappointing Chinese industrial production and retail sales.

The weaker than expected data stoked fears about oil demand from the world's second biggest consumer. However after a negative start to the session, demand for oil picked up.

Crude had also risen the previous session as investors cheered Friday's snapshot of the US employment market. Official figures showed more jobs than expected were created in February while the unemployment rate fell to a four year low.

Crude for April delivery settled up 11 cents at $92.06 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

On the ICE futures exchange Brent crude fell 63 cents at $110.22 a barrel.

Among precious metals gold eked out a small gain on Monday to settle at the highest level so far this month.

Gold for April delivery rose $1.10 to settle at $1,578 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.




CJ

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