U.S. producer prices edged barely higher in February, in the smallest annual increase since June 2017, the latest sign of tame inflation that supports the Federal Reserve's "patient" approach to future interest rate hikes. The Japanese yen strengthened 0.19 percent versus the greenback at 111.17 per dollar. U.S. crude rose $1.39 to settle at $58.26 per barrel and Brent settled up 88 cents at $67.55.