NEW YORK - The price of benchmark crude was essentially flat Thursday after China said factory production grew at a slower pace in July and retail sales weakened.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange:

Benchmark crude rose 1 cent to end at $93.36 per barrel.

Heating oil increased 2.91 cents to finish at $3.0450 per gallon.

Gasoline rose 2.04 cents to end at $3.0008 per gallon.

Natural gas rose 1.2 cents to finish $2.9450 per 1,000 cubic feet.

On the ICE Futures exchange in London:

Brent crude gained $1.08 to finish the day at $113.22 per barrel.