U. S. oil prices slid to a more-than six-year low Friday on escalating concerns about the mismatch between global supply and demand. Oil futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange hit a low of $41.35 a barrel, a level seen last on March 4, 2009, when the U.S. economy was still mired in a deep recession. Oil was recently trading at $41.88 a barrel, down 0.7% from Thursday’s settlement. Brent crude, the global price benchmark, fell 0.6% to $49.32 a barrel on London’s ICE Futures exchange. Investors are worried about China’s oil demand following its surprise currency devaluation earlier this week. A weaker yuan makes imports of dollar-priced commodities, such as crude, more expensive. Fears about demand in the world’s second biggest oil consumer are compounded by strong supply from the U.S. and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, a 12-nation oil cartel. Market participants are awaiting the […]