Business news for Mon, 24 Dec 2007 & with words oil+trade. 4 news.

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Energy stocks opened mixed in thin pre-holiday trade Monday, with a decline in crude-oil futures keeping the sector from participating in a move higher by the broader market. Early trades saw the Amex Oil Index rise 0.2% to 1,550 points, edging slightly into record-high territory, while the Philadelphia Oil Service Index pulled back 0.4% and the Amex Natural Gas Index slipped 0.2% to 579.5 points. Crude for February delivery was last down 47 cents at $92.84 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil held near $93 per barrel on Monday in thin trade, pressured by an uncertain economic outlook for top oil consumer the United States and a firmer dollar, but supported by concerns over shrinking world oil stocks.

World oil prices have advanced above $93/barrel in subdued pre-Christmas trade, with many dealers away from their desks for Christmas holiday celebrations.