Crude oil prices hold firm, trading in tight range as European economic reopenings offset gloom from surging COVID-19 cases

Crude oil prices held firm today, trading in a tight range as European economic reopenings offset gloom from surging COVID-19 cases in Asia and underwhelming Chinese manufacturing data.   Brent crude oil futures rose 3 cents to USD 68.74 a barrel, and US crude was up 4 cents at USD 65.41 a barrel. Both contracts have risen more than 30 per cent since the start of the year.   The British economy reopened today after four months of COVID-19 lockdowns. France, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands ha...