Oil futures fell nearly one percent in American trade even as the dollar index fell off early March highs for the third straight session, following earlier data from the US, the world's largest energy consumer. 

As of 05:55 GMT, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) April futures fell 1.21% to $60.62 a barrel from the opening of $61.36, while Brent futures due on May 15 shed 0.57% to $64.58 a barrel from the opening of $64.95, as the dollar index shed 0.24% to 89.68 from the opening of 89.89. 

Earlier US data showed consumer prices slowed down to 0.2% as expected from 0.5% in January, while core prices slowed down as well to 0.2% from 0.3% in January. 

On a yearly basis, consumer prices accelerated to 2.2% as expected from 2.1% in January, while core prices steadied at 1.8% in line with expectations.

US President Donald Trump abruptly fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and put in his place CIA Director Mike Pompeo, becoming another sign of instability in the administration. 

Otherwise, the Wall Street Journal reported divisions inside OPEC on the right price for oil, with Saudi Arabia looking for $70, while Iran looking for $60. 

90% of Saudi Arabia's government budget depends on oil returns, making it crucial to raise price targets, even though the country leads the deal to cut output by 1.8 million bod around the world in cooperation with Russia. 

Baker Hughes, an oil services company, recently released its report on the US oil rig count, showing a drop of 4 rigs for the first time in seven weeks to a total of 796 rigs, marching away from April 2015 peaks. 

US output rose 70 thousand bpd last week to a total of 10.37 million bpd, the highest on record. 

US production is up 21% since mid-2016, passing Saudi Arabia's 9.9 million bpd mark, and nearing Russia's 10.9 million bpd levels. 

Sterling rose against the dollar in American trade away from January 12 lows for the eighth session out of nine, following earlier data from Britain and the US, the world's largest economy. 

As of 04:07 GMT, GBP/USD rose 0.51% to 1.3977 from the opening of 1.3906, with a session-low at 1.3875, and a February 27 high at 1.3988. 

Earlier from the UK, finance minister Hammond unveiled the yearly budget statement, where he noted the progress made by the government to improve economic conditions, while expecting a budget deficit of 45.2 billion pounds in the year 2017-2018.

Hammond expected the deficit to fall by 10 billion pound in 2018 compared to 2010, and for the UK to achieve to 15 billion deficit target b 2021, expecting also improved labor conditions in the next few years. 

The Office of Budget Responsibility raised GDP growth forecasts to 1.5% in 2018 from 1.4%, while maintaining forecasts for 2019 and 2020 at 1.3%, and cutting projections for 2021 to 1.4% from 1.5%. 

Otherwise, Earlier US data showed consumer prices slowed down to 0.2% as expected from 0.5% in January, while core prices slowed down as well to 0.2% from 0.3% in January. 

On a yearly basis, consumer prices accelerated to 2.2% as expected from 2.1% in January, while core prices steadied at 1.8% in line with expectations.

US President Donald Trump abruptly fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and put in his place CIA Director Mike Pompeo, becoming another sign of instability in the administration. 

Euro rose against the dollar in American trade away from March 5 lows for the third session, following earlier data from Italy and the US, while the Euro Group meets in Brussels to discuss various financial and funding issues. 

As of 03:16 GMT, EUR/USD rose 0.31% to 1.2372 from the opening of 1.2334, with an intraday high at 1.2385, and a low at 1.2315. 

Earlier Italian data showed the unemployment rate fell to 11% as expected in the fourth quarter, down from 11.2% in the third, while European Central Bank member Philip Lane dismissed in earlier remarks any euro-related risks currently, while still warning from sudden increases in value.  

Lane said if euro moved too erratically in the next weeks, the ECB should study the issue, while otherwise, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that US tariffs on aluminum and steel imports are the wrong policy, calling for the US to be more clear about the exemptions given to some countries. 

Juncker said the EU is ready for a quick response on these tariffs, and to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization, asserting that the EU will protect European markets from the ramifications of these decisions. 

Otherwise, Earlier US data showed consumer prices slowed down to 0.2% as expected from 0.5% in January, while core prices slowed down as well to 0.2% from 0.3% in January. 

On a yearly basis, consumer prices accelerated to 2.2% as expected from 2.1% in January, while core prices steadied at 1.8% in line with expectations.

US President Donald Trump abruptly fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and put in his place CIA Director Mike Pompeo, becoming another sign of instability in the administration. 

US stock indices opened the second session of the week higher after a spate of data from the world's largest economy, which showed consumer prices slowed down in February, in turn curbing expectations of four Federal Reserve rate hikes this year. 

Earlier US data showed consumer prices slowed down to 0.2% as expected from 0.5% in January, while core prices slowed down as well to 0.2% from 0.3% in January. 

On a yearly basis, consumer prices accelerated to 2.2% as expected from 2.1% in January, while core prices steadied at 1.8% in line with expectations. 

As of 02:45 GMT, Standard and Poor's 500 rose 0.36%, or 9.97 points to 2,792.99, while Dow Jones added 0.41%, or 102.25 points to 25,280.86. 

Tech-heavy NASDAQ edged up 0.24%, or 18.56 points to 7,606.90.