Oil prices steady on profit-taking ahead of US job data

LONDON, July 18 (Reuters) – Oil prices were broadly steady on Thursday as investors took profits from earlier gains fuelled by larger than expected declines in U.S. crude stocks.
Brent futures dipped 13 cents, or 0.2%, to $84.95 a barrel by 1120 GMT and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down 6 cents, or 0.1%, at $82.79. Both had registered gains in the previous session.
“Profit-taking is reasonable ahead of the U.S. jobless claims data, which will shape investors’ view on (interest) rate cuts this afternoon,” said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM.