Oil extends gains, up 0.6%, as Brexit fears ease

[TOKYO] Oil prices extended gains on Monday as a weaker dollar and easing worries over Britain's possible exit from the European Union helped buy back the commodity after six straight days of declines.

London Brent crude for August delivery was up 29 cents at US$49.46 a barrel by 2238 GMT on Sunday, after settling up US$1.98, or 4.2 per cent, at US$49.17 on Friday.

NYMEX crude for July delivery, which expires on Tuesday, was up 31 cents at US$48.29 a barrel, after closing up US$1.77, or 3.8 per cent, on Friday.

Campaigning for Britain's vote on EU membership resumed on Sunday after a three-day hiatus prompted by the killing of a pro-EU lawmaker. Three opinion polls ahead of Thursday's vote showed the 'Remain' camp recovering some momentum, although the overall picture remained one of an evenly split electorate.

The pound was last up against the dollar at US$1.4450 from US$1.4350 on Friday. The Japanese yen held not far from its highest level against the dollar in almost two years.

Oil prices continued to recover despite data showing US energy firms adding oil rigs for a third week in a row, suggesting higher production to come. Oil services firm Baker Hughes reported nine rig additions in the week to June 17.

Sizzling home price rises in China's biggest cities showed signs of easing in May but sharp gains appeared to be spreading to smaller cities, making policymakers' job harder as they look to support the faltering economy without inflating bubbles.

France's hardline CGT union ended a strike on Friday that had paralysed traffic for 26 days at the Fos Lavera oil terminals on the Mediterranean, the country's biggest oil hub, a management official at port operator Fluxel said.

REUTERS