Crude oil markets recovered from midweek losses Friday to post modest gains as U.S. employment data masks a downturn in parts of the energy sector. The price for West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark for oil, recovered about three-quarters of a percent to $59.41 in early Friday trading. WTI prices lost more than 2.2 percent during Thursday’s session, erasing much of a rally that pushed U.S. crude above the $60 mark to start the week. WTI started the month at $59.19. Brent crude oil prices, which started the month around $66.16 per barrel, were relatively flat early in the Friday session to trade at $65.59. Brent started Thursday around $67 per barrel. Oil markets are searching for […]