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(Bloomberg) -- Oil fell 2% to settle below $69 a barrel as tepid US economic data undercut OPEC+’s progress on a deal to keep output constrained.

The decline comes after crude futures tested their 50-day moving average, a key level that had spurred some technical buying. But slowing US services activity growth and swelling fuel stockpiles — both signals of weak demand — weighed on the market.

“The failure of WTI to hold above $70 and its 50-day moving average reinforces these levels as resistance,” said Rebecca Babin, senior energy trader at CIBC Private Wealth Group. “Additionally, volumes today are significantly lighter than the 10-day average, indicating this could be a ‘wait-and-see’ market as we approach year-end.”

Crude has been locked in a band of roughly $6 since the middle of October, buffeted by the imminent Donald Trump presidency, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine, and a lackluster demand outlook from top importer China. Mixed energy data from the US on Wednesday further muddied the picture, with weak diesel demand and record oil production offsetting a surprise draw in crude inventories.

Still, fresh US sanctions on Iran’s shadowfleet, and an expected agreement by OPEC+ nations to delay production increases for another three months are keeping a floor under prices. OPEC+ is due to finalize supply plans at an online meeting on Thursday.

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