Oil Prices Jump 2% on Improving Demand Outlook

The U.S. crude oil benchmark was trading up over 2% on Monday, with Brent gaining over 1.7% as the market digested data suggesting an improving demand outlook.  At 2:28 p.m. ET on Monday, Brent crude was trading up 1.73% at $84.05, for a gain of $1.43 on the day. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading up 2.17% at $80.15, for a gain of $1.70 on the day.  In the prior week, oil enjoyed its first weekly gain in a month buoyed by reports that lent more optimism to oil demand in the second half of this year. OPEC+ has taken pains to assure…