Oil steady as rise in virus cases offsets better data

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices steadied on Monday, supported by improving economic data but held in check by sharp spikes in new coronavirus infections around the world that have forced some countries to impose partial lockdowns.Brent crude fell 4 cents, or 0.1%, to $40.98 a barrel by 1031 GMT and U.S. crude was up 7 cents, or 0.2%, at $38.56. Crude prices found some support as profits at China's industrial firms rose for the first time in six months in May, suggesting the country's economic..