Oil surges on China, Europe stimulus hopes

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Oil surges on China, Europe stimulus hopes

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Brent North Sea crude for October delivery gained 32 cents to $116.10.

04 September,2012 10:45 am

Crude rose in Asia on Tuesday as weak manufacturing numbers from Europe and China boosted hopes of fresh central bank stimulus measures, analysts said.New Yorks main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in October, advanced 80 cents to $97.27 a barrel in the afternoon and Brent North Sea crude for October delivery gained 32 cents to $116.10.Traders were hoping that the bleak European and Chinese manufacturing data would lead to more stimulus soon, said Nick Trevethan, senior commodities strategist for ANZ Research in Singapore.Certainly the data of late I think has been supportive of policy easing. Chinas in particular do suggest something needs to be done there, he told AFP.Chinese figures released Monday showed manufacturing activity in the worlds largest energy consumer falling for a tenth consecutive month to its lowest level in more than three years in August.The weak performance showed that previous stimulus measures enacted by the government were insufficient and more policy easing was needed, analysts said.In Europe, survey data compiled by the Markit research firm and released Monday showed eurozone manufacturing activity contracting for a seventh month in a row in August, with the fall sharper than initial forecasts.The purchasing managers index (PMI), a survey of thousands of eurozone manufacturers, came in at 45.1 in August, down from a flash estimate of 45.3. Any score below the 50 mark indicates contraction.