Crude oil prices ahead of the start of U.S. trading on Friday were unmoved by strong GDP figures as market watchers wait for the next shoe to drop.

The U.S. Commerce Department reported second quarter gross domestic product increased 4.1 percent in the second quarter, nearly twice the rate of expansion during the previous term. Results were mixed, however, with wages on the decline. Disposable personal income increased 4.5 percent in the second quarter, compared with a 7 percent increase in the first quarter.

Strong GDP figures would normally create a tailwind for the price of crude oil, though Matthew Smith, the director of commodity research at ClipperData, told UPI the devil is in the details of the report.

"The market is flat-footed, kept in check by trade war worries, while anxiously eyeing potential geopolitical developments," he said.

The price for Brent crude oil was up 0.11 percent as of 9:20 a.m. EDT to $74.62 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark for the price of oil, was down 0.07 percent to $69.56 per barrel.

Broader markets could move on GDP figures should U.S. President Donald Trump talk up the numbers.

Crude oil prices could be moving as second quarter earnings reports roll out. Ahead of the bell, U.S. supermajor Exxon Mobil reported a loss after spending heavily for the first half of the year.

Weatherford International, one of the largest oilfield services companies in the world, stumbled, with its director calling for all hands on deck.

"Seasonal trends worked against us this quarter, causing us to miss our working capital objectives and, in turn, our cash flow target," President and CEO Mark McCollum said in a statement. "With a clear mission, the right structure, and a solid strategy, our team is embracing this challenge head-on."

Elsewhere, Chevron reported earnings of $3.4 billion in the second quarter, more than double that from the same period last year. Gains were supported by a 1.8 percent increase in production from second quarter 2017 and an even higher increase in the price of crude oil.

"Results in 2018 benefited from higher crude oil prices, strong operations and higher production,"

Chairman and CEO Michael Wirth said in a statement.

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Total's position boosted by position in LNG
Washington (UPI) Jul 27, 2018
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