* Euro zone economic data boosts equities, oil prices * NHC: tropical depression/storm likely, supports oil * Coming up: EIA natural gas storage data 10:30 a.m. EDT NEW YORK, July 22 (Reuters) - U.S. crude oil futures rose on Thursday as positive euro zone economic data and increased possibility of a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico helped oil rebound after losing more than 1 percent in the previous session. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's expressions of concerns about the economy and data showing U.S. crude oil inventories unexpectedly rose last week pushed oil prices lower on Wednesday. Gains were tempered on Thursday by news that U.S. new jobless claims rose more steeply than anticipated last week, according to the Labor Department. [ID:nN21163086] FUNDAMENTALS * On the New York Mercantile Exchange, September crude CLU0 rose 33 cents to $76.89 a barrel by 8:36 a.m. EDT (1236 GMT), having traded from $76.16 to $77.24. * The euro zone's private sector surged ahead this month, according to Markit's Eurozone Flash Services Purchasing Managers' Index released on Thursday. [ID:nSLALIE68S] * Euro zone industrial new orders rose in May at their fastest annual rate in 10 years, European Union statistics office Eurostat said. [ID:nBRQ009921] * The U.S. dollar fell broadly as better-than-forecast European economic data boosted equities and spurred appetite for risk, with a drop in U.S. lending rates putting additional pressure on the currency. [USD/] * The U.S. National Hurricane Center said a tropical depression or tropical storm could form at any time on Thursday in the Caribbean east of Cuba. The center said there was a 70 percent chance a tropical storm could form. [ID:nN22225736] ECONOMIC NEWS * Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke delivers semiannual testimony on the economy and monetary policy before the House Financial Services Committee. 9:30 a.m. EDT (1330 GMT) * National Association of Realtors releases existing home sales for June, 10 a.m. Forecast a 5.18 million annualized unit total versus 5.66 million annualized units in May. * Conference Board releases June leading economic indicators. 10 a.m. Forecast 0.3 percent decline versus 0.4 percent rise in prior month. * EIA releases weekly natural gas inventory report. Forecast up 53 billion cubic feet. 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT) OUTSIDE MARKETS * Dollar falls further against the yen after jobless claims. [FRX/] * Gold slips below $1,190 an ounce as players await European bank stress tests at the end of the week. [GOL/] 8:36 LAST NET PCT LOW HIGH CURRENT DAY AGO

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