* Consolidation after four days of gains
* Oil on track to post first weekly gain for a month
* Dollar index <.DXY> up 0.39 pct
* China June refinery output at new record
(Updates detail, prices)
By Christopher Johnson
LONDON, July 17 (Reuters) - Oil slipped below $62 a barrel
on Friday, undermined by concerns over the outlook for the world
economy, a stronger dollar and some selling pressure after four
days of gains.
Oil was still on track for a gain of about 3 percent on the
week, snapping four straight weeks of declines thanks to
stronger equities markets, better corporate results and some
positive economic data, particularly from Asia.
U.S. crude oil for September delivery <CLc1> was down 48
cents at $61.54 a barrel by 1149 GMT. London Brent crude fell 44
cents to $63.31.
"There is a fair amount of profit-taking after a week of
rises," said a dealer at a oil brokerage in London. "The
fundamentals remain in question and I think we could see the
market below $60 again next week."
U.S. corporate results helped dampen sentiment on Friday
with lower earnings from Bank of America <BAC.N> and General
Electric <GE.N>.
Some analysts had suggested Friday's results could provide
some upside surprises after strong figures earlier this week
from Goldman Sachs <GS.N>.
Oil's gains on Thursday were helped by a rise on Wall Street
following a report showing strong growth in China, the world's
second biggest consumer of energy.
DATA
But a rise in the dollar against most other currencies on
Friday helped undermine the market. Oil often moves inversely to
the dollar as a rise in the U.S. currency makes oil more
expensive to many consumers.
Economic data are sending mixed messages about the pace of
recovery from recession.
The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell to
the lowest level since January last week while a key regional
manufacturing index slipped more than expected in July, reports
showed on Thursday. []
Nouriel Roubini, one of the few economists who accurately
predicted the magnitude of the financial crisis, said on
Thursday the worst of the turmoil had passed, but said the
United States would need a second fiscal stimulus, possibly by
the end of this year, as the unemployment rate approaches 10
percent. []
In China, refiners in the world's No.2 energy consumer
boosted production by 6 percent in June to a record high after a
rise in domestic motor fuel prices aided margins, although
higher inventories and rising exports suggested domestic demand
was lagging. []
Oil prices are down nearly $10 since early July, partly
reversing last quarter's 40 percent surge on concerns over
energy demand, which has contracted for the first time in a
quarter century under the weight of the recession.
U.S. government data this week showing a swelling in
gasoline stockpiles in the week of July 10 despite the July 4
Independence Day holiday when the summer driving season
typically peaks, remains a stark reminder for investors that
demand in the world's top energy consumer is still tepid.
(Additional reporting by Fayen Wong in Perth; editing by Jon
Boyle)
