Oil prices were firm this evening after stronger than expected Japanese growth figures offset concerns rising energy demand could slow due to China's moves to tighten monetary policy.
US crude was up 17 cents at $74.30 a barrel, while London Brent rose five cents to $72.95. Trade was described as quiet.
Crude fell for the first time in four days on Friday, shedding 1.5% after China's central bank moved to check the country's rapidly expanding economy, which is at the centre of rising demand for commodities.
China's markets are closed this week for the Lunar New Year holiday, as are markets in South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore. In the United States markets are closed for Presidents' Day.
