Oil strengthened slightly on Monday, with U.S. crude supported by positive economic data, but prices were still below highs reached on Thursday as traders saw little new to augment their worries over tensions in Ukraine.
The U.S. benchmark rose after the Conference Board said its leading economic indicators, a gauge of future economic activity, rose in March. But volumes were low in both markets as traders kept to the sidelines after Easter Sunday.
Brent crude futures were up 40 cents near $110 a barrel, within view of its highest levels since early March. U.S. crude oil futures rose 7 cents to settle at $104.37 a barrel.