NEW YORK, Dec 21 (Reuters) - U.S. crude futures fell more
than 1 percent on Friday as faltering efforts to negotiate a
U.S. budget reinforced fears a deal would not get done to avoid
mandated tax hikes and spending cuts that could curb the economy
and demand for petroleum.
U.S. February crude futures fell $1.47, or 1.63
percent, to settle at $88.66 a barrel. For the week, front-month
crude futures posted a gain of $1.93, or 2.2 percent.
(Reporting by Robert Gibbons; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick)