Oil kicks off week with gains on fresh hopes for US-China trade talks

Oil prices began the week on a brighter note on Monday, posting early gains as positive noises from Washington over the weekend rekindled optimism in global markets that the United States and China could soon sign a deal to end their bitter trade war.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 10 cents, or 0.17 per cent to $57.87 a barrel by 0220 GMT, having ended last week little changed after tracking ups and downs in the trade talks process.

Brent crude futures were at $63.46 was up 7 cents, or 0.11 per cent, the benchmark having also finished little changed last week.