Friday, October 23, 2009

Crude Oil Futures May Decline on Ample Stockpiles, Survey Shows


Crude oil futures may fall next week on speculation that U.S. inventories are sufficient to meet weakening demand. Eighteen of 36 analysts, or 50 percent, said oil will drop through Oct. 30. Twelve respondents, or 33 percent, forecast that the market will rise and six said prices will be little changed. Last week, analysts were split over whether prices would rise or fall.

“There is significant downside risk for crude oil,” said Tim Evans, an energy analyst with Citi Futures Perspective in New York. “Inventories remain high and demand is still weak.” Crude oil stockpiles rose 1.31 million barrels to 339.1 million last week, the U.S. Energy Department said in a report Oct. 21. The gain left inventories 9.4 percent above the five year average for the period. Supplies of distillate fuel, a category that includes heating oil and diesel, were 30 percent higher than average, the department said.....Read the entire article.

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