Crude oil futures slid by 0.17 % to Rs 2,943/barrel today among a weak trend in Asian markets. At the MCX, crude oil for delivery in February eased by Rs 5, or 0.17 %, to Rs 2,943 / barrel in 1,702 lots. The March contract of oil shack Rs 4, or 0.13 %, to Rs 3,014 per barrel in 45 lots. Analysts said a weak trend in Asian trade as dealers await a much-except European Central Bank policy meeting and the release of the latest US supply report kept crude oil futures prices under pressure here. At global level, the West Texas median crude for March delivery was down 36 cents to USD 47.42 while Brent crude for March eased 13 cents to USD 48.90/barrel in late morning trade on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Mentha oil prices slide by 0.74 % on Friday at the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) as a result of the expanding arrivals of the commodity in the physical market from the major producing belts in Uttar Pradesh. At MCX, Mentha oil futures for January 2015 contract, at MCX, were trading at Rs. 726.60/kg, downward by 0.75% after opening at Rs. 731.10 against the last day ending price of Rs. 732.10. It touched the intra day low-lying of Rs. 723.20 till the trading. Sentiment weakened further as the investors indulged in profit booking in the midst of a fall in desired in the spot market.