Oil prices mixed ahead of US inventories data

Oil prices saw mixed performance on Tuesday, ahead of the US crude inventories data, while investors parse the impact of rising coronavirus infections on demand.

John Hopkins University announced that coronavirus infections rose to more than 10 million cases globally, with a death toll of more than 501,000 victims.

The American Petroleum Institute will release later today its preliminary data on US crude inventories, while the Energy Information Administration will reveal its official report tomorrow.

The dollar index fell against a basket of currencies by 0.2% to 97.2 points as of 17:27 GMT, after it hit a high of 97.8 and a low of 97.2.

As of 17:21 GMT, West Texas Intermediate crude rose 0.7% to $39.97 a barrel, after it hit a high of $40.08 and a low of $38.8.

Brent fell 1.2% to $41.1 a barrel, with a high of $41.6 and a low of $40.9.