MW: U.S. crude inventories fall 3.1 million barrels: EIA
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - U.S. crude-oil stockpiles fell 3.1 million barrels to 318.2 million in the week ending Dec. 19, U.S. Energy Information Administration reported on Wednesday. Analysts surveyed by energy information provider Platts expected an increase of 1.5 million barrels. After the data, crude-oil futures for February delivery fell 3.9% to $37.46 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Gasoline supplies rose by 3.3 million barrels in the latest week, while distillate stocks rose by 1.8 million barrels, EIA reported.
