Oil prices ended lower on Tuesday, falling below 100 dollars a barrel for the first time in a week, after weaker than expected Chinese manufacturing data sparked concern about deteriorating energy demand.

While China's purchasing managers index (PMI) gauge for manufacturing activity climbed to 53 last month from 50.2 in February, HSBC's private report on Chinese manufacturing PMI fell to 48 from 48.1. A figure above 50 signals expansion.

Crude oil for May delivery dropped $1.84 or 1.8% to settle at $99.74 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

In the US, ISM manufacturing rose, but missed forecasts while construction spending improved.

Oil prices were also pressured by expectations of a build in domestic crude stockpiles ahead of data due out on Wednesday.

European benchmark May Brent crude fell $2.14 cents or 2% at $105.62 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

Among precious metals, gold futures fell for the fifth straight day on Tuesday as investors mulled mostly weak US economic data.

Gold for June delivery lost $3.80 to settle at $1,280 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.




CJ

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