Oil prices mixed in Asian trade

Dealers cautious ahead of Obama's speech, indulge in profit taking

Oil prices were mixed in Asia today as dealers were cautious ahead of US President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech and eurozone finance ministers' discussion on a debt bailout for Cyprus.

Talks of a currency war as Japan loosens monetary policy to stimulate its economy also spooked the markets and investors took advantage of the Lunar New Year holidays in Asia for some profit-taking, analysts said.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in March, was down 12 cents to $96.91 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for March delivery inched up three cents to $118.16.

"While much of Asia enjoys Lunar New Year holidays, Western markets ground lower while talk of a currency war continued," said Jason Hughes, head of premium client management at IG Markets Singapore.

"Traders remained cautious ahead of some key events in the coming days while profit-taking crept in... President Obama gives his State of the Union address tonight while European finance ministers meet in Brussels."

Investors were also watching a G20 gathering later this week and the results of a meeting of eurozone finance ministers on a financial bailout for Cyprus, analysts said.

Cyprus is heavily exposed to Greece's public debt crisis.

"No firm decision is expected until after the completion of the Cypriot election at the end of this month," research house Capital Economics said.