Crude futures settle lower

NEW YORK, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices fell on Monday.

The West Texas Intermediate for January delivery lost 1.03 U.S. dollars, or 1.39 percent, to settle at 73.04 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for February delivery decreased by 85 cents, or 1.08 percent, to settle at 78.03 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.