Oil prices held steady Friday ahead of key industry data as markets took a wait-and-see approach on strong Chinese economic momentum. Major oil indices barely moved early in the Friday session, ending a week of volatility sparked by Saudi crude oil capacity commitments and signs of a mid-2015 slowdown in U.S. oil production. Brent crude oil prices for May delivery gained about three quarters of a percent early in the trading day to sell for $56.99 per barrel. For the week, Brent gained about 1 percent despite volatility. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, was relatively flat at $50.79 for the May contract, up about 1 percent for the week. China, one of the world’s leading economies and energy consumers, saw a banner day Friday for its Shanghai Composite […]