Oil lower despite brisk U.S. retail sales, Greece deal

A pump jack is silhouetted against the setting sun in Oklahoma City, on March 22, 2012. (Sue Ogrocki / AP)

Oil prices are lower as traders remain unsure whether positive U.S. economic news signals an increase in demand for fuel.

The lower oil prices Tuesday matched a slight decline in U.S. stocks markets.

Traders were looking past news that might have been expected to push oil prices higher. U.S. holiday spending and consumer confidence both rose. And negotiations over the next installment on Greece's bailout proved successful.

However, some analysts warned that it's still not clear that demand for oil is rising.

Crude oil is down 15 cents to $87.59 in morning trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

AAA says gasoline prices at the pump fell a fraction of a penny to $3.419 per gallon compared to Monday's price.