MW: U.S. crude inventories up 500,000 barrels last week
U.S. crude stockpiles rose 500,000 barrels to 318.7 million in the week ended Dec. 26, U.S. Energy Information Administration reported on Wednesday. Analysts surveyed by energy information provider Platts had expected a drop of 1.75 million barrels. After the data, crude-oil futures for February delivery fell 0.6% to $38.80 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Gasoline inventories rose 800,000 barrels in the latest week, while distillate stocks rose 700,000 barrels, EIA reported.
