Summary Oil prices fell on concerns that China could limit economic stimulus measures due to high inflation.
Benchmark oil dropped 26 cents to finish at $93.56 a barrel in New York. A day earlier, a report showing a rebound in China s trade growth boosted oil because it suggested a possible recovery in global demand.
Friday s data showed China s inflation spiked to a six-month high in December. Higher inflation could hamper Beijing s ability to support the country s economic recovery.
Reports that Saudi Arabia produced 9 million barrels of crude oil in December, 500,000 barrels less than the previous month, kept prices from falling further. Official figures will be released next Wednesday in OPEC s monthly oil market report.
Brent crude, used to price international varieties of oil, fell $1.25 to end at $110.64 per barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.
