Oil Edges Up On Strong U.S. GDP Data But Asia Economic Woes Limit Gains
Oil Edges Up On Strong U.S. GDP Data But Asia Economic Woes Limit Gains
Oil prices were up slightly on Friday on stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data that raised investor expectations for increasing crude oil demand from the world's largest energy consumer.
由于美国经济数据超出预期，引发投资者对世界最大能源消费国需求增加的预期，WTI原油价格周五略微上涨。
Brent crude futures for September rose 7 cents to $82.44 a barrel by 0014 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for September increased 4 cents to $78.32 per barrel.
布伦特原油期货9月份上涨7美分，至每桶82.44美元，格林尼治标准时间0014。美国西得克萨斯州中质原油9月份增长4美分，至每桶78.32美元。
In the second quarter, the U.S. economy grew at a faster-than-expected annualised rate of 2.8% as consumers spent more and businesses increased investments, Commerce Department data showed. Economists polled by Reuters had predicted U.S. gross domestic product would grow by 2.0% over the period.
美国商务部数据显示，第二季度，随着消费者支出的增加和企业投资的增加，美国经济以超预期的年化2.8%的速度增长。路透社对经济学家的调查预测，美国国内生产总值会在该期间增长2.0%。
At the same time, inflation pressures eased, which kept intact expectations that the Federal Reserve would move forward with a September interest rate cut. Lower interest rates tend to boost economic activity, which can spur oil demand.
同时，通胀压力有所缓解，这使得市场预期美联储将在9月份进一步降息。降低利率往往会促进经济活动，从而刺激石油需求。
Still, continued signs of trouble in parts of Asia limited oil price gains.
然而，亚洲部分地区持续出现问题，限制了油价上涨的空间。
Core consumer prices in Japan's capital were up 2.2% in July from a year earlier, data showed on Friday, raising market expectations of an interest rate hike in the near term.
数据显示，日本首都的核心消费价格于7月份同比上涨2.2％，这增加了市场对短期内加息的预期。
But an index that strips away energy costs, seen as a better gauge of underlying price trends, rose at the slowest annual pace in nearly two years, suggesting that price hikes are moderating due to soft consumption.
但是，剥除能源成本的指数——被视为基础价格趋势的更好指标——同比增长近两年来增速最慢，这表明价格上涨因消费疲软而趋缓。