Oil little changed, worries over rate hikes persist

FROM：REUTERS  By Sudarshan Varadhan

March 10 (Reuters) - Oil prices were little changed on Friday as traders remained cautious about frequent and steeper rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve, concerns that have triggered a rout in energy prices over the last three days.

Brent futures, which fell about 5% over the last three days, were up marginally from near-three week lows at $81.72 a barrel at 0113 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 2 cents, or 0.03%, to $75.74, having slumped by nearly 6% in the last three trading sessions.

U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has warned of higher and potentially faster rate hikes, saying the Fed was wrong in initially thinking inflation was "transitory" and was surprised by the strength of the labour market.

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits increased by the most in five months last week, but the underlying trend remained consistent with a tight labour market.

Expectations of ongoing rate hikes in the world's largest oil producing country and similar remarks over the weekend by the European Central Bank President have cast a shadow over global growth, setting oil up for a weekly fall after two straight weeks of gains.

The prospect of Friday's jobs report triggering faster rate hikes is already initiating steep declines in other financial markets, and analysts expect oil prices could also be under pressure.

Expectations of ongoing rate hikes in the world's largest oil producing country and similar remarks over the weekend by the European Central Bank President have cast a shadow over global growth, setting oil up for a weekly fall after two straight weeks of gains.

The prospect of Friday's jobs report triggering faster rate hikes is already initiating steep declines in other financial markets, and analysts expect oil prices could also be under pressure.