Oil climbs as U.S. crude stockpiles shrink ahead of Fed decision
BNN Bloomberg
Oil rose as industry data signaled a big drop in US crude inventories ahead of an expected interest-rate hike by the Federal Reserve.
West Texas Intermediate futures edged up near US$96 a barrel after closing 1.8 per cent lower in the previous session. The American Petroleum Institute reported crude stockpiles fell by 4.04 million barrels last week, according to people familiar with the figures. If confirmed by the Energy Information Administration later Wednesday, it would be the largest draw since the end of May.
The Fed is expected to approve another large rate increase on Wednesday to combat rampant inflation, escalating concerns that the US may be heading for a recession. Fears over an economic slowdown have rippled through commodities and overshadowed signs of a tight physical crude market.
