New York, Jan 28 (Xinhua) Crude oil prices plunged nine percent Tuesday as weak US economic data raised investors’ concerns on energy demand.
US consumer confidence dropped to a record low in January, the Conference Board, an economic research group, said. The index edged lower in January to 37.7 from a revised 38.6 in December.
Meanwhile, US home prices plunged in November compared with the same period in the previous year. The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20-city index of home prices tumbled by a record 18.2 percent, while 10-city index dropped 19.1 percent.
Light, sweet crude for March delivery was down $4.15 a barrel, or nine percent, to settle at $41.58 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
In London, the March Brent contract fell by $3.23 to settle at $43.73 on the ICE Future Exchange.
