Oil prices also drew support from a surprise increase in China’s exports in January
Oil prices edged higher on Thursday and Brent hit the highest level this year, but gains were capped after the steepest decline in United States (US) retail spending since 2009 heightened investor fears of a global economic slowdown.
US stocks recovered from declines triggered by bleak retail data to trade flat by afternoon, as investors focused on signs of progress in the ongoing US-China trade talks.
