Bank of England chief economist Pill: UK economic growth strengthens case for rate hikes.

China's commodity futures main contracts were mixed at the morning session close. Glass fell about 3%, soda ash dropped over 2%; alumina, cast aluminium and coking coal declined more than 1%; urea, stainless steel (SS) and Shanghai aluminium were down near 1%. On the upside, synthetic rubber rose over 2%; pulp, methanol and container freight—Europe route gained nearly 2%; PTA, paraxylene (PX), eggs, short fiber, plastics, fuel oil, SC crude oil and PET flakes advanced more than 1%.

Brent crude fell 2.00% intraday to $85.50/bbl. WTI slipped 2.07% intraday to below $80.00/bbl.