Oil prices edge down in Asian trade

Crude prices edged down in Asian trade Tuesday as traders fretted over performances by the US retail and corporate sectors, analysts said. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for August delivery, fell 60 cents to 74.35 dollars a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for August delivery shed eight cents to 73.74 dollars. Worries about the state of the US economy clouded sentiment, with analysts predicting a slightly worse performance when US retail sales statistics are released on Wednesday.