Oil prices steady after sharp rise in U.S. stockpiles

By Christopher Johnson LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices steadied on Thursday after a sharp rise in U.S. crude and gasoline stockpiles, although evidence that OPEC and other big exporters were cutting production helped support sentiment. Brent crude was up 5 cents at $56.85 a barrel by 0925 GMT after settling up $1.22 in the previous session. U.S. light crude was down 5 cents at $53.83 after climbing $1.07 on Wednesday.