WASHINGTON (Alliance News) - Crude oil prices are slightly lower Thursday, dragged down by a stronger US dollar after Federal Reserve Chief Janet Yellen's hinted at an interest rate hike as early as next spring.
Data from the Energy Information Administration that revealed US crude oil inventories to have jumped by a more than expected 5.9 million barrels in the week ended March 14, is contributing as well to oil's decline.
Crude Oil futures for April is down USD0.34 or 0.34% at USD100.03 a barrel.
Natural Gas is down USD0.08 or 1.81% at USD4.40 per million btu.
Investors will be looking ahead to data on US existing home sales, jobless claims and manufacturing activity.
