Oil futures were little changed as upbeat economic data in
No. 2 oil consumer China offset concerns that possible increases
in U.S. interest rates could dampen growth in the top consuming
country. The Brent-WTI spread narrowed marginally after hitting a
high of minus $3.78 and a low of minus $3.99.
U.S. crude oil and fuel inventories fell last week,
according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute
figures late on Tuesday. Crude stocks fell by about 2.68 million barrels in the week
ended April 14, they said. Gasoline inventories fell by about
1.02 million barrels, while distillate stocks fell by about 1.9
million barrels, according to the sources, who spoke on
condition of anonymity.
U.S. government data on U.S. stockpiles is due on Wednesday.
* Light Louisiana Sweet for May delivery fell 10
cents at a midpoint of a $2 premium and was seen bid and offered
betweena $1.8 and $2.2 a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures ?
* Mars Sour was unchanged at a midpoint of a 70-cent
discount and was seen bid and offered between a 80-cent and
60-cent a barrel discount to U.S. crude futures ?
* WTI Midland gained a quarter of a dollar at a
midpoint of a 85-cent premium and was seen bid and offered
betweena 75-cent and 95-cent a barrel premium to U.S. crude
futures ?
* West Texas Sour was unchanged at a midpoint of a
25-cent premium and was seen bid and offered between a discount
of 25 cents?? and 75-cent a barrel premium to U.S. crude futures ?
* WTI at East Houston , also known as MEH, traded
betweena 95-cent and $1.15 a barrel premium to U.S. crude
futures ?
* ICE Brent June futures rose 1 cents to settle at
$84.77 a barrel on Tuesday?.
* WTI May crude futures rose 3 cents to settle at
$80.86 a barrel on Tuesday?.
* The Brent/WTI spread narrowed on Tuesday,
after hitting a high of minus $3.78 and a low of minus $3.99.
(Reporting by Stephanie Kelly in New York)
April 18 (Reuters) - U.S. cash crude grades were mixed
on Tuesday and mostly held firm, dealers said, as the broader
energy complex weighed factors that could signal weaker or
stronger global oil demand.
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