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www.cnbc.com/id/35257741Oil prices have fallen for the third straight day, weighed down by a stronger dollar and persistent doubts about the health of the global economy.
Benchmark crude for March delivery Friday lost US$3.38, nearly 5 percent, to US$69.76 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It fell as low as US$69.50 a barrel, the lowest since Dec. 15.
Even a surprise drop in the unemployment rate wasn't enough to encourage investors. The government report showed the economy has a long way to go.
In other Nymex trading in March contracts, heating oil dropped 7.8 cents at US$1.8576 a gallon, and gasoline fell 7.6 cents to US$1.8748 a gallon. Natural gas added 11.1 cents to US$5.527 per 1,000 cubic feet.
In London, Brent crude gave up US$2.28 to US$69.85 on the ICE futures exchange.