Brent, the global oil benchmark, fell below $40 a barrel for the first time in six years on Tuesday, dipping below what traders say is a key level for the marker used by the world’s biggest oil producers and companies to price their crude. The development is further proof that the malaise surrounding oil prices could continue far longer than first forecast by analysts and observers. The psychological impact of sub-$40 a barrel Brent could also prompt speculators, traders and money managers to start scaling back on investments in the sector. West Texas Intermediate fell below $40 back in August, but many analysts were predicting Brent to stay above $45 a barrel as recently as last week. Though the benchmark soon headed back above $40, its dip below that level, for the first time since February 2009, is another marker in the steep decline in crude that followed the […]