Oil prices rose on Thursday, steadying after losses over the past two days from a surprise increase in U.S. crude inventories and renewed concerns over trade friction between the U.S. and China.
Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up 16 cents, or 0.2 percent, at $72.55 a barrel by 0503 GMT, after dropping 2.5 percent on Wednesday, Reuters said.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 futures increased by 6 cents, or 0.1 percent, to $67.72 a barrel. They fell 1.6 percent in the previous session.
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Oil prices are feeling the effects of ongoing tensions over global trade, with markets concerned about any slowdown in growth around the world.
"A clear definition around the macros is what the market is looking for and until we get that, it is likely to be volatile in the range," said Jonathan Barratt, chief investment officer at Ayers Alliance in Sydney.
U.S. President Donald Trump has sought to ratchet up pressure on China for trade concessions by proposing a higher 25 percent tariff on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports.
China said it would hit back if the United States takes further steps on trade.
Brent prices fell more than 6 percent in June and U.S. crude slumped about 7 percent, the biggest monthly declines for both benchmarks since July 2016.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are also supporting the market, Barratt said.
