HOW ARE WE DOING?

Brent crude oil rose above $105 a barrel yesterday, rallying from an eight-month low after China’s inflation slowed, giving it room to keep monetary policy eased and support oil demand in the world’s secondbiggest consumer. Oil prices were also underpinned by worries about increasing tension over North Korea and a stalemate in talks between Iran and western nations, raising fears of a possible disruption to fuel supplies from the Middle East. Brent futures for May rose by 40c to $105.06 per barrel by midday yesterday, after moving in a $2 range.