A slight gain in the Chinese economy followed by a week of data supporting market balance sentiments lifted crude oil prices early Friday. Crude oil prices moved in volatile territory for much of the week, with full percentage increases followed by corresponding decreases the following session. Markets moved in wide swings in response to market reports from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and the International Energy Agency. Both reported some tightening in a market where oversupply last year dragged oil prices to historic lows. While OPEC coordinates a balanced approach in the first half of the year through managed production declines, China reported its economy grew 6.8 percent during the fourth quarter, slightly better than expected. OPEC’s production move and […]