WTI Crude Hits $80 Despite Disappointing Growth Plans From China

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices have broken above the $80 barrier despite disappointing growth plans coming out of China Monday.  On Monday at 1:50 p.m. EST, WTI was trading up 0.64% at $80.19 per barrel, up 51 cents on the day, while Brent crude was up 13% at $85.94.  Oil prices opened Monday lower on underwhelming data from China in terms of post-COVID economic recovery.  The oil price pullback earlier on Monday following Beijing’s GDP growth target of “around 5%” for this year, which comes in lower…