Oil prices slipped Friday as the dollar surged after China introduced new stimulus measures to boost its flagging economy. The benchmark U.S. crude contract ended down 78 cents, or 1.7%, at $44.60 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, settling back below $45 for the first time since Oct. 1. Prices have now lost 10% from their peak earlier in the month. The global Brent benchmark finished down 9 cents, or 0.2%, at $47.99 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange. The selloff was prompted by a surge in the value of the U.S. dollar. The ICE Dollar Index has gained nearly 3% over the last seven sessions, its highest level since late August, against a basket of global currencies. Oil prices often move inversely to the dollar, as a strengthening currency makes it more expensive for investors to buy crude using foreign currencies. The dollar’s gains […]