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LONDON, July 15 Reuters Oil held its ground on Monday as downward pressure from concern about demand in top importer China offset support from strong demand elsewhere, OPEC supply restraint and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The reaction of the wider markets to the attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump was in focus. The U.S. dollar steadied after gains earlier in the session that had weighed on oil.

Brent crude futures were up 3 cents at 85.06 a barrel by 1326 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 7 cents to 82.28.

Chinese data including refinery runs and crude imports are not supportive, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo. But demand growth elsewhere is still healthy.

Crude fell last week after four weeks of gains as hopes of strong U.S. summer demand were countered by concern over demand in China.

Chinese data on Monday added to that concern. The world39;s secondlargest economy grew by 4.7 in the April to June quarter, official figures showed, the slowest growth since the first quarter of 2023.

On Friday separate figures showed China39;s crude oil imports fell 2.3 in the first half of this year.

However, the volatile situation in the Middle East continues to provide a geopolitical premium for oil, though ample spare capacity held by Saudi Arabia and other…