THE price of oil rose a penny yesterday after China said factory production grew at a slower pace in July and retail sales weakened. That's renewing expectations for government action to boost the world's second-biggest economy.

Benchmark oil added 1 cent to settle at US$93.36 per barrel in New York. Brent crude, which is used to price international varieties of oil, gained US$1.08 to US$113.22 per barrel in London.

A stronger dollar on positive US jobs data kept gains for oil in check, however.

China yesterday said its inflation rate fell further in July, giving the government more room to stimulate growth amid mixed signals about whether the world's second-largest economy is recovering from a painful slowdown.

Crude has surged from below US$78 in late June amid hopes that policymakers in the US, Europe and China will soon implement monetary and fiscal stimulus measures to help reverse slowing economic growth.

Other futures prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange:

- Natural gas prices rose after a government report showed a smaller than expected increase in US inventories. Futures rose 1.2 cents to US$2.945 per 1,000 cubic feet, although they had gained more than 10 cents earlier.

- Heating oil increased 3 cents to US$3.05 per gallon.

- Gasoline gained 2 cents to US$3.00 a gallon.