By Laura Mandaro
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Crude-oil inventories fell 400,000 barrels in the week ended October 8, the Energy Information Administration said Thursday. The drop was shallower than the 4-million dive in oil inventories reported by the American Petroleum Institute, and compared to forecasts of an increase of 1.5 million barrels by analysts polled by Platts. Gasoline inventories fell 1.8 million barrels and distillate fuel inventories declined 300,000 barrels. Oil for November delivery strengthened a bit, up 80 cents at $83.81 a barrel.
