U.S. oil futures tumbled to their lowest level in two weeks Thursday, while the main European benchmark slid to its weakest finish since February, weighed down by a slew of disappointing economic data.

Light, sweet crude for June delivery settled $2.68, or 2.6%, lower at $102.54 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. That's the benchmark's weakest finish since April 19.

Brent crude on the ICE futures exchange settled $2.12, or 1.8%, lower at $116.08 a barrel, its lowest finish since Feb. 6.

Traders and analysts said they are bracing for what is likely to be a weak reading Friday of U.S. nonfarm payrolls data. Expectations are low after payrolls giant Automatic Data Processing Inc. on Wednesday said fewer than expected jobs were added to the U.S. economy in April.

"It's a combination of less-than-encouraging macroeconomic headlines, and I think you're getting some money taken off the table ahead of tomorrow's jobs report," said Stephen Schork, editor of the Schork Report, an energy newsletter.

Futures were also weighed by indications that the European Central Bank isn't planning additional stimulus measures to prop up Europe's flagging economy. ECB President Mario Draghi said it is up to governments to foster growth, and resisted pressure to take additional steps such as interest-rate cuts and more bank lending.

"It was the statements out of Draghi, which was more doom and gloom. The sentiment is just not very good," said Rich Ilczyszyn, chief market strategist at brokerage iiTrader.

The comments come as Europe's economic recovery is looking increasingly tenuous. Earlier this week, Spain disclosed it is officially in a recession. This weekend, French voters are expected to elect a socialist president who is likely to challenge the European Union's recent austerity push.

In the U.S., the economic outlook isn't looking much better. On Wednesday, ADP said only 119,000 private-sector jobs were created in April, far below the 175,000 jobs expected.

Oil-market participants keep a close eye on employment data for signs on oil and fuel demand. High unemployment in the U.S., the world's biggest oil consumer, has been a major factor behind the slump in demand for gasoline because it means fewer motorists traveling to work or taking vacations.

The weak U.S. economy is likely to keep oil demand weak for the near future, said Dominick Chirichella, analyst at the Energy Management Institute. "All signs continue to point to the U.S. economy moving into another slow patch," he said. "I expect oil consumption to remain in a contraction trend that has been in place since 2007."

Front-month June reformulated gasoline blendstock, or RBOB, settled 2.57 cents, or 0.8%, lower at $3.05 a gallon. June heating oil settled 5.56 cents, or 1.8%, lower at $3.0869 a gallon.

More information on settlements and highs and lows for futures on Nymex and ICE platforms can be found by searching for the following headlines:

 
   Nymex Light Crude Oil Close 
   Nymex Harbor RBOB Gasoline Close 
   Nymex Heating Oil Close 
   ICE Brent Crude Oil Close 
   ICE Gas Oil Close

-By Dan Strumpf, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2818; dan.strumpf@dowjones.com