NYMEX-Crude nears $66, extends losses after grim jobs data

TOKYO, July 3 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures slipped towards
$66 a barrel on Friday, extending losses from the previous day
when data showed the U.S. jobless rate in June at a nearly
26-year high, reviving worries about economic recovery prospects.

FUNDAMENTALS

* U.S. crude CLc1 settled down 3.7 percent on Thursday, as
government data showed U.S. employers cut 467,000 jobs in June,
helping send the unemployment rate to 9.5 percent, the highest
level since August 1983, triggering a selloff in the oil market.
[ID:nSYD481718] [ID:nN02549309]

* OPEC-member Ecuador's finance minister said on Thursday
that oil should average around $70 a barrel in the rest of 2009
and through 2010. [ID:nN02435670]

* NYMEX floor trading will be closed Friday on for the U.S.
Independence Day holiday. Electronic trading will not be
affected.

MARKETS NEWS

* Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 1.3 percent on Friday
after the bleak U.S. jobs data revived caution about the outlook
for the global economy. [.T]

* The dollar extended gains against the euro on Friday, after
rising the previous day when the employment figures renewed
concerns about the economy and enhanced the greenback's
safe-haven appeal. [USD/]

* U.S. and European stocks fell more than 2 percent on
Thursday on the bleak employment data. [ID:nN0295904]

DATA/EVENTS

- Holiday: United States

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PRICES
Oil prices as of 0019 GMT
Contract Mnth Price Change Day ago pct MA-20*
NYMEX Contracts
US Crude AUG9 $66.37 -0.36 -$2.58 -3.72% $69.86
Heat Oil AUG9 169.33 -0.83 -6.41 -3.63% 178.53
RBOB AUG9 178.20 -0.88 -6.82 -3.67% 194.71
Natgas AUG9 $3.654 +0.039 -$0.180 -4.74% $3.904
ICE Contracts
Brent AUG9 $66.21 -0.44 -$2.14 -3.11% $69.43
Gasoil JUL9 NA -$21.75 -3.90% $563.76
Note: U.S. heating oil and RBOB gasoline contracts listed in
cents per gallon.
* = 20-day moving average for continuation month.
(Reporting by James Topham; Editing by Chris Gallagher)