Crude oil prices fell sharply on Friday, slipping more than 2% as disappointing U.S. employment figures raised concerns about slowing demand.
 

Brent crude futures closed down 2.3% at around $74 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) lost a similar margin to settle near $70. The U.S. Labor Department’s latest report showed weaker-than-expected job growth, fueling worries that economic momentum in the world’s largest oil consumer could be losing steam.
 

Analysts noted that the data increased uncertainty over future fuel consumption, with investors also watching closely for any signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve regarding interest rate policy. Lower employment levels typically point to reduced economic activity, which can weigh on energy demand.
 

Despite the drop, traders highlighted that oil markets remain sensitive to geopolitical tensions and OPEC+ supply decisions, which could drive volatility in the coming weeks.