NEW YORK — Oil prices pushed higher for a second day on Wednesday, rising by about 2%, buoyed by growing U.S. energy consumption and hopes of progress for a U.S. trade deal with China and India.
Brent crude futures rose $1.29, or 2.1%, to $62.61 a barrel by 11:09 a.m. EDT (1509 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed $1.34, or 2.34%, to $58.58.
U.S. crude oil inventories fell during the week ended October 17, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday. [EIA/S]
Crude stocks fell by 961,000 barrels to 422.8 million barrels last week, compared with analysts’ expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.2 million-barrel rise.
“Very impressive for shoulder season,” said Phil Flynn, senior analyst with Price Futures Group. “It shows the demand side of the equati