Magnifying previous session’s losses, crude oil futures ended lower on Friday as the latest U.S. sanctions on Russian energy trade added to worries about oil supply disruptions. Investors are also assessing the potential implications of President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House on Monday. Trump's pick for Treasury secretary said he was ready to impose tougher sanctions on Russian oil. However, traders are assessing fresh data from China, the world's top oil importer. Its economy fulfilled the government's ambitions for 5% growth last year.
Benchmark crude oil futures for February fell $0.80 or 1.0 percent to settle at $77.88 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for March delivery lost $0.50 or 0.6 percent to settle at $80.79 a barrel on London's Intercontinental Exchange.