* U.S. economic data restores some confidence
to markets
* Oil prices seen firmly in $70-75 range
* Strengthening dollar could push commodity prices down
(Updates prices, adds UK GDP data)
By Chris Baldwin
LONDON, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Oil rose to around $73 a barrel
on Friday, lifted by slightly better GDP and jobs data out of
the United States, although still rangebound over the week.
U.S. crude for October <CLc1> gained 32 cents to $72.87 a
barrel by 1221 GMT. London Brent <LCOc1> rose 47 cents to
$72.98.
Data on Friday showed the U.K. economy shrank slightly less
than expected in the second quarter after official statisticians
upgraded their estimates of industrial output. []
The British data follows Thursday numbers out of the U.S.
showing a similar less-than-expected GDP Q2 decrease in the
world's largest economy, as well as fewer workers filing new
claims for jobless benefits last week. [].
"The US GDP was not revised lower (which was a positive
surprise), the weekly jobless numbers provided no
surprises...the issuance of green shoots continues," Olivier
Jakob at PetroMatrix wrote in a note.
The dollar rose against a basket of major currencies,
recovering somewhat from overnight losses, while the
commodity-related Australian dollar edged higher against the
yen. []
"The Dollar Index is not able to (set a) trend and after a
strong rebound on Wednesday it had a strong correction
yesterday. It is hovering around the 78.300 level and its
current gyration is not helping crude oil to trade outside of a
range," Jakob said.
"PRECIOUS LITTLE"
Some analysts said stronger economic data in the short-term
could not overcome a gloomier long-term outlook.
"Despite our confidence in the recovery process over the
next six months, there is precious little indication from the
energy side that industrial activity in the U.S. is recovering,"
analysts at J.P. Morgan wrote in their Oil Markets Weekly note.
"Gasoline demand remains weak (and may even be declining),
jet-fuel has troughed at a low level, and the middle distillate
market remains on a disturbingly aggressive downward path."
Unsold crude stored in tankers at sea continued to hang over
the oil market but had declined since the spring.
Norway's Frontline, the world's biggest independent oil
tanker shipping group, said it estimated that 40 to 45 very
large crude carriers (VLCCs), or around 10 percent of the world
fleet, were storing crude oil.
Frontline had told Reuters on Aug. 6 that around 50 VLCCs
were being used to store around 100 million barrels of oil, down
from a peak of around 60 VLCCs in April.
(Additional reporting by Ramthan Hussain in Singapore,
editing by Keiron Henderson)
