Crude oil futures ended lower on Monday on stronger dollar. A stronger dollar weighed on oil prices, as investors await cues from China's trade balance figures and inflation readings from the United States and China due this week. China's trade balance figures on Tuesday and inflation data due on Wednesday will give clues to the country's recovery trajectory. The U.S. consumer price inflation report for July is slated to be released on Thursday and the producer price inflation report on Friday as investors seek further clarity on the path of inflation and the health of the world’s largest economy.
Benchmark crude oil futures for September delivery fell $0.88 or about 1.1 percent to settle at $81.94 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for October delivery dropped $0.90 or 1 percent to settle at $85.34 a barrel on London's Intercontinental Exchange.