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.
由於美國經濟數據超出預期，引發投資者對世界最大能源消費國需求增加的預期，WTI原油價格週五略微上漲。
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.
布倫特原油期貨9月份上漲7美分，至每桶82.44美元，格林尼治標準時間0014。美國西得克薩斯州中質原油9月份增長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.
美國商務部數據顯示，第二季度，隨着消費者支出的增加和企業投資的增加，美國經濟以超預期的年化2.8%的速度增長。路透社對經濟學家的調查預測，美國國內生產總值會在該期間增長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.
同時，通脹壓力有所緩解，這使得市場預期聯儲局將在9月份進一步減息。降低利率往往會促進經濟活動，從而刺激石油需求。
Still, continued signs of trouble in parts of Asia limited oil price gains.
然而，亞洲部分地區持續出現問題，限制了油價上漲的空間。
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.
數據顯示，日本首都的核心消費價格於7月份同比上漲2.2％，這增加了市場對短期內加息的預期。
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，剝除能源成本的指數——被視爲基礎價格趨勢的更好指標——同比增長近兩年來增速最慢，這表明價格上漲因消費疲軟而趨緩。