MW: Crude oil futures off lows after Philly Fed data
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Crude oil futures came off earlier lows on Thursday, after U.S. reports showed improvements in manufacturing in the Philadelphia region and in an index of leading economic indicators. Crude oil for July delivery was last down 2 cents at $71.01 a barrel in electronic trade. It earlier fell to a low of $70.22 a barrel. Manufacturing firms in the Philadelphia region reported the best business conditions since September, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said Thursday. The Philly Fed index improved to negative 2.2 in June from negative 22.6 in May.
