SINGAPORE, Nov 30 Reuters Oil was little changed on Thursday as investors remained cautious ahead of expected production cuts by the OPEC group, and as weakerthanexpected Chinese factory data underscored slowing growth in the world39;s second largest economy.

Brent crude futures climbed 13 cents, or 0.2, to 83.23 a barrel by 0740 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 17 cents, or 0.2, at 78.03 a barrel.

The benchmark oil contracts settled nearly 2 higher the previous day amid hopes of some form of a pricesupportive resolution from the OPEC group, which includes the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia.

Members of OPEC are due to hold a policy meeting on Thursday. Talks ahead of the meeting were focusing on additional production cuts, although details were yet to be agreed, sources close to the group told Reuters.

The countdown to the upcoming OPEC meeting is now underway, and that has been the central focus for oil prices, as market participants have been shrugging off any bearish news in the way for now, said Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG.

We have a largerthanexpected buildup in crude inventories from the EIA data, along with a downside surprise in China39;s PMI figures this morning. Both may support a narrower supplydemand deficit, but failed to cause much dent in prices, Yeap added.

China39;s manufacturing activity contracted for a second straight month in November and at a quicker pace than…