LONDON—Oil prices held steady on Thursday after rising above $80 a barrel this week, shrugging off bearish factors such as rising U.S. crude oil inventories and a strong dollar amid consensus that a supply deficit will stay for coming months.
Brent crude for November delivery was up 21 cents at $78.85 a barrel by 0856 GMT on its expiry day while December loading crude was at $78.35. U.S. oil rose 32 cents to $75.15 a barrel.
